The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-03-14


interests of sections or classes, must
operate to the prejudice of the inter-
ests of their fellow citizens, and
should be avoided. If the compro-
misses of the constitution be preser-
ved-if sectional jealousies and heart
burnings be INSTRUMENTATION
laws be just and the government
be practica Aadministered strictly
within the limits ofpower prescribed
to tive may discard all apprehen-
sions for the safety Of the Union.
With these views of the nature,
character and objects of the govern
ment, and the value of the Union, |
shall steadily oppose the creation of
those institutions and systems which
in their nature tend to pervert it from
its legitimate purposes, and make it
the instrument of sections, classes &
individuals. We need no National
Banks or other extraneous institu-
tons, planted around the government
to control or strengthen it in opposi-
ton to the will of its authors. Expe-
rience has taught us how necessary
they are as auxiliaries Of the public
authorities, how impotent for good :,
and how powerful for mischief.
Ours is intended to be plain and
frugal government, and shall regard
it to be my duty to recommend to
Congress, and, as far as the cxecu-
tive is concerned, to enforce by all
the means within my power, the
strictest economy in the expenditure
of the public money, which may be
compatible with the public interests.
A national debt has become almost
an institution of European monar-
chies. 1t is viewed in some of them
as an essential prop to existing gov
ernmcnts. Melancholy is the con-
dition of that people whose govern
ment can be sustained only by sys-
tenn which periodically transfers
large amounts from the labor of the
many to the Golfers Of the few. Such
a system is Incompatible with TIE
ends for which our republican gov
eminent was instituted. Under a
wise policy the debts contracted in
our revolution and during the war of
1912, have been happily extinguish-
ed. By a judicious application of
the revenue, not required for other
necessary purposes, it is not doubted
that the debt which has grown out of
the circumstances of the last few
years, may be speedily paid off.
congratulate my fellow citizens
on the entire restoration Of the credit
of the general government Of the
Union, and that of many of the states.
Happy would it be for the indebted
states if they were freed from their
liabilities, many of which were in
cautiously contracted Although
the government of the Union is nei-
Their in legal nor moral sense bound
for the debts Of the states, and it
would be violation of the compact
OF our Union to assume them, yet we
cannot but feel a deep interest in
seeing all the states meet their liabi-
lities, and pay off their just debts at
the earliest practicable period. That
they will do so, as soon as it can be
done without imposing too heavy
burdens on their citizens, there is no
reason to doubt. The sound, moral,
and honorable feelings of the people
of the indebted states, cannot be
questioned, and we are happy to per-
ceivc settled disposition on their
part, as their ability returns, after a
season ofuncxampled pecuniary en-
barressment, to pay off all just de-
mands, and to acquiesce in any rca-
sonablc measure to accomplish that
object.
One Of the difficulties which we have
not encountered in the practical admins
tratlon of the government, consists in the
adjustment OF our revenue laws. and the
levy of the taxes necessary for the sup.
port OF government. In the general pro.
position. that no more money should be
collected than the necessities of an eco
nomical administration shall require, all
parties seem 10 acquiesce. Nor does
there seem 10 be any material difference
OF opinion as to the absence of right in
the government TO lax one section of the
country, or one class of citizens, or one
occupation for the mere profit Of another.
Justice and sound policy forbid the le-
deral government to foster one branch OF
industry 20 the detrimen, Of another, or
to cherish the interests of one portion to
the injury OF another portion of our COM
mon country have heretofore declar-