Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-03-13

shield and protect II against The moral
treason OF any who would seriously con-
template its destruction. To secure a
continuance of tina. devotion, the compro-
misses of the constitution must not only DO
preserved. bui sectional jeaious,es and
heart. burnngs mus, be diseounienanced;
aud all should remember that they arc
members OF the same political family,
having a common destins. To Increase
the attachment of our people to the Union
our laws should be just. Any policy
which shall tend 10 favor monopeiieS, or
the peculiar interests OF Sc cilons OF clas-
ses, must operate TO the prejudice OF tho
interests Of their fellow. citizens aud should
be avoided. II the compromises OF the
constitution be preserved, III sectional
ioalousles and heart. burnings be discouB-
tensnced, If our laws be just, and the
government be practically administered
strictly within the limits Of power pre-
scrlbed 10 tive may discard all appre-
tensions for the safety Of the Union.
With these views Of The nature, chat
acter, and objects Of the government, and
the value of this Union, shall steadily
oppose the creation OF those institutions
and systems which, in their nature, tend
10 prevent il from its legitimate purposes,
aud make it the instrument Of sections,
classes, and individuals. We need no
national banks, or other extraEeous lnst-
tuiions, plon,ed around the government
to control or strengthen II in opposition
TO the will Of its authors. Experience
has taught US how unnecessary they are
as auxliaries of the public authorities,
how impotent for good, and how powerful
for mischief
Ours was intended to be plain and
| frugal government; and ! shall regard 1t
to be my duty to recommend 10 Congress
and, as far as the executive is concerned,
to enforce by all means within my pow
err, the strictest economy in the expendi-
ture Of the public money. which may be
compatible with the public interests.
A national debt has become almost an
institution of European monarchies. 1t is
viewed, in some OF them, as an essential
prop to existing governments. Mean-
choly is the condition Of that people
whose government can be sustained only
by system which periodically trainers
large amounts from the labor of the many
to the Golfers of the few. Such system
is incompatible with the encs for which
our republican government was nstilu-
ted.
Under wise policy, the debts con-
tracted in our revolution, and during the
war Of 1912, have been happily extiG-
guished. BY ajudicious application Of
the revenues, not required for other me-
cessary purposes, it is not doubted that
the debt which has grown out OF the cir
cumstances Of the last few years may be
speedily paid off.
congratulate my fellow citizens on the
ertire restoration OF the credit of he gen.
era government of the Union, and that
of many Of the States. Happy would it
be for the indebted States il they were
freed from their liabilities, many OF which
were incautiousy contracted. Although
the government OF the Onion is neither
| in a legal nor moral sense bound for tho
debts of the States, and Il would BIO VIZ
olaton of our compact Of Union to assume
them, yet we cannot but feel deep inter-
est in seeing all the States meet their pub
lie liabilities, 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 10 doubt.
The sound, moral, and honorable feeling
Of the people OF the indebted States, eau.
not be questioned; and we are happy TO
perceive settled disposition on their part,
as their ability returns, after season Of
unexamped pecuniary embarrassment, to
pay off all Just demands, and to acquiesce
in any reasonable measure to accomplish
that object.
One of the difficulties which we have
had TO encounter in the practical admins
tra.ion of the government, consists 10 the
adjustment of our revenue laws, and the
levy of the taxes necessary for the sup
port of government la the general pro-
pos ton, that no more money shall be
collected than the necessities of an eco.
nomlcal administration shall require, all
parties seem TO ocquiesce. Nor does
there seem to be any material difference
Of opinion as to the absence OF right in
the government TO tax ons section OF coun.
try, or one class Of citizens, or one occu.
patton, for the mere profit Of another
s'Jus,ice and sound pol cy forbid the fed
ersl'government to foster one branch OF
industry to the detriment OF another, or
to cherish the interests of one portion 10
the injury of another portion OF our COM
mon country" have heretofore deear-
ed to my fellow-citizens that, in "my
Judgment, it is the duty If tho govern
ment TO extend, as far as it may be prac-
t'cable to do so, by its revenue laws, and
( all other means within its power, fair aud
Just protection to all the great interests OF
the whole Union, embracing agriculture,
manufactures, tho mechanic arts, com.
merco and navigation" have also de-
clared my opinion 10 be Gin favor 81
tariff for revenue" and that "in adjust
ing the details Of such tariff, have
sanctioned such moderate discriminating
duties as wolld produce the amoun. Of
revenue needed, and, at the same time,