The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-01-17
VOL.V.-NO. 81.


every principle Of moral honesty TO nav.
Oar creditors were large capitalists: they
dealt with states, kingdoms, and empires.
They deal. in money. We might talk Of
compromise, but every effort would fail.
We might incorporate companies at eve-
ry session Of our legislature, but i. would
do no good. We might offer them our
vacant lands, public works, and other pro-
perty: they did not want them. They
would sooner forgive us the debt than es-
tahIish precedent Of this kind in settling
with any state. Should they compromise
the debt of Illinois, they must DO the same
with every indebted state in the Union.
They knew our condition, and did not
urge-whal their just claims demanded
prompt payment Of all the accruing in
terest. They only wanted some positive
and practical evidence tina, we were ho-
nest, and would do something as our abb
lily increased. They would even rem
der US further aid, in carrying out aay
undertaking calculated to develope our
natural resources. knowing that i. would
but the more enable us to pay what we
owe them now.
We could not pay our debt By finan-
cering. All those schemes consisting
merely of figures were but creations Of
the fancy, and amounted to little else than
denial of the debt. The simple issue
was taxation or repndaiion. With very
few exceptions, those who hold the bonds
OF Illinois were not men who were in want
OF money. 1t was not of so much couse-
quence 10 them whether we paid our in
terest now or not. All they wanted was,
that we should show that we were willing
to be taxed 10 pay our debts. They had
heard we were honest. We had passed
resolutions to that effect. and had sent
them out 10 the world but we had not
accompanied them with a single act to
bear witness TO our sincerity. M
So far as concerned reputation, howe
yer, Continued Mr.. L.,) we cannot repu.
datc our honest debts. We might pass
resolutions TO that effective might load
our journals with acts declaring our obi.
cations void; but i! would not make them
the less binding. 1t would only bring
The more lnlamy upon ourselves, while
the debt would still remain. Public sem
ument would hold us bound for it for
ever. Not even revolution and change
of government would absolve the claim.
1t must be paid. Who was willing that
our state should be held up to the gaze OF
the world, with her escutcheon darkened
by reputation, to be pointed q, by the
finger OF scorn--her once proud name a
by word and reproach, a stigma on thee
American republic! The democrats had
been charged with fayoring Reputation.
Did we asked Mr.. L. wish to res, under
the imputaion. and should we show by
our acts that it was just!
1t had been said the people would not
be taxed. Ii was not true. They would
willingly bear a small tax now, and it
might be gradually raised 10 some fixed
standard. And there were sources besides
a land tax We could raise a revenue from.
Sell licenses TO pedlars, grocers, auction
GERS, showmen-tax proGessions--and,
whenever the constitution is amended, au-
thorze the collection of poll tax, and
tx by the constitution the maximum of
taxation. This would ensure a perma-
nent system-it would remove from the
minds of the people their apprehensions
of oppressive burthens, restore the public
credit, induce emigration 10 our state, in
crease our basis of taxation, and insure
our permanent prosperity.
Our creditors had given US every assur-
that. if We levied 4 tax-cven of but one
miII-ior tue purpose of paying interest
upon our public debt, they would COM
pIete our canal---a work no, sectional in
its character, not even exclusively a state
work, but of national importance, and not
inferior, in every point of view, to any
other in the United States. 1t would
unite the walters of the great northern
lakes with The mighty valley Of the west
and the navigable streams that enter into
Gulf Of MeXico--lorming thus con,inu-
Gus line of water communication from
New York, through the Interior Of our
country, to New Orleans. The compile
ton of this canal would render our lands
valuable, open market for our products,
afford large and continually increasing
revenue 10 our state, and would be the
sure means Of relieving Illinois Of her
debt and restore her to her natural rank in
the American Union. 1t had been calcu-
lated, from the most reliable data, that this
work, Immediately upon its completion.
would ield revenue Of $500, 900 per
annum. The trade between st, Louis