The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-06-14

COllVluCcu lHdt ~ 10 ticii tiuC lutCiCot
gradually to dispense with the use Of
banks Of circulation. In practice how
ever, would not if | could, dispense
with banks of circulation, but by a
gradual process by which the debtor
portion Of the people might escape the
ruinous effects of a sudden change Of
policy. Notwithstanding my long set
tied conviction that banks of circula-
ton have been curse to the country,
| should feel myself bound us the rep
resentative OF this senatorial district to
vote for a safe and well regulated sys-
tenn of banks Of circulation; but could
vote for no system of banks which did
not embrace the individual liability of
the stock holders. In every other case
but that Of bankers it is UNIVERSAL y ac-
knowledged thatmen who will not trust
each other as joint partners, are not
as a whole to be trusted by the public.
1t might be said that would be in
consistent in voting for a bank charter
which did not believe to be good pol
icy, merely because my constituents
believed the reverse. TO this let me
answer thatI can discover no cole of
morals to prevent an honest man froln
serving his fellow citizens in nineteen
cases in which they agree merely be-
cause in the twentieth he would be
bound, as their representative to vote
contrary to his own convictions olsound
policy.
1t thas long BENNY opinion that man
kind is governed too much and that we
consequently pay taxes for the support
of government which ought to remain
in our pockets. Tie notion however
is prevalent that government can en-
rich us. But how is this to be effected?
"By giving a bounty on the production
of silk" exuItingy exclams some inter-
ested individual. Now it needs no
depth of penetration TO see the utter
fallacy Of this assertion, if we would
only take the trouble to reflect that 60
vernment has nothing to give but what
it first takes from the people. And if
it gives the money in bounties back
to those from whom it was taken it les
sens the sum in proportion 10 the cost
of collection and disbursement. On
the other hand if The government gives
a bounty to the silk producers only, it
must of necessity take it from the wheat
growers and others, and this is absolute
injustice 10 them. But say the advo-
Gates of this policy: "the Federal Gov
ernment can certainly enrich US by
protecting our industry This asser-
ton is rs fallacious as the former one,
for the Federal Government like that Of
the State, has nothing to give but what
it takes from the people. Jrue-it
can enrich one class but it necessarily |
impoverishes others to the same extent,
and this is injustice, if done tor any
other purpose than raising revenue, call
it protection or by any other name.
| have made these remarks to show
you, fellow citizens, that do not be-
lieve ii possible for either the State or
Federal government to enrich the peo-
pie by bounties. On the other hand
these governments like all others, are
wealth-consumerS, and not ,ceaih.p
ducers. lis the legitimate sphere OF
government to protect the property |
and reputation, the liberty and the life
of the citizen; and for the performance
of these necessary duties it must be
paid, which is Il continual drain from
the pockets of the people, and even that
not in the ratio of the benefits confer
red. From this view Of the case you
will see that could promise you moth
ing, from any e1ertion of mine rs your
representative, to enrich you by gov
ernmental aid. All that could prom
ise would be to use my humble exer-
ertions to tighten as much rs possible,
consistent with the due administration
ofgovernmcnt. the burdens of taxation,
by conining that government to the le-
gitimate sphere of action for which 1t
was instituted.
In conclusion, fellow citizens, permit
me to say that nominated and elected,
| will endeavor to the best of my hum
BILE abilities to fill the office with integ-
rity, by faithful and honest discharge
OF the duties it imposes-Taking al
ways for my guide the Constitution Of
my adopted country and the sovereign
will of those whom it would be my high
est ambition faithfully and satsiactori-
lv TO represent in the Senate of Ohio.
But if you should determine as it
may be your duty and as it is unques-
tionably your right 10 do, that your in
terests would be more ably sustained,
and your rights better guarded, by the
selection of some other individual, then,