The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-01-08
REMARKS OF MIR. EDGERToN.

REMARKS OF MIR. EDGERTON.
In Senate, Dec. ~, on the indefinite post
ponement Of tte resolution offered by him
in the morning.
Mr.. EDGERTON said:
Mn. SPEAKER: l have listened with much
attention to the speeches of several gentle
men, since my remarks of this morning.
The whole burthen has been reputation.
All its changes have been rung, and all its
phases presented, from the honest repudia-
ton of bank dollar, to the inglorious repu-
diation of nations Indebtedness and in
order to set us all Alright, and direct the at
tention of gentlemen TO the proper object of
their eloquence, will read from the speech
delivered on this floor, by the gentleman
from Franklin, on the 9Th inst, and which
has been circulated in thousands over the
State:
Let VS. (said Mr.. Kelley no longer rest
in false security--let us no longer slumber
on the brink of REPUTATION, but rouse our
selves, and, like men, boldly look the dan
ger in the face, and prepare to avert that
worst Of all calamiies which can befal a
State-the loss of its character for punctu-
atty, for integrity, and for honor. IL is pain
to shut our eyes to the fact, that TOE cannot
longer continue in our doWn,Ddrd course,
sinking deeper and deeper in debt, pithout at
last arripng at that lopest point Of degrada-
tion--REPUDIATION.n
Here it was, in this Senate chamber, that
this doctrine of reputation was first pro-
claimed-the gentleman from Franklin him
self, the Ajax Of his party. resting in false
security" first uttered the word which has
so alarmed the fears, and awakened the elo-
quence of gentlemen. He it was who pro-
claimed, with the force of long and labor
ed argument to sustain him, that Ohio was
on the brink of repudiation--that the great
State, about whose resources, wealth, honor
faith, and the character of whose people, the
gentleman from Carroll, (Mr. Eckley) and
the gentleman from Huron, Mr. Osburn,)
have so feelingly discoursed, was, year after
year, sinking deeper and deeper in debt, and
without some averting cause, would soon
reach the last point Of degradation-repudi-
alton. Let it be no longer said, sir, that |
first advanced the idea of reputation. If a
single remark from me, SO excited the indig-
nation and holy horror of some gentlemen-
SO affects the public debt, that fundmongers
are trembling for the safety of their securi-
ties, where were the slumbering energies OF
these mighty champions of private honor and
public faith, when the gentleman from Frank
lin was proclaming, here in his place, that
we were on the brink of repudiation? Out
upon such hypocrisy! The cry of repudia-
ton is only intended 10 divert attention from
the real object at issue, the real point in dis
cussion, which is-shall the Governor COM
municate to us whether any, and what ar
rangements, have been made for paying our
July interest.
1t is this fear, OIL the part of our officers,
of losing favor or popularity, that has, year
after year, induced them to resort to expedi-
ents, to temporary loans, and to every device.
to conceal from the people and tho creditors
Of the State, our true condition. What
would we think of an individual debtor, who
would make false representations to us, and
while asking our forbearance, conceal his
true Indebtedness? And what must the peo
pie of Ohio think of her officers, who are
entrusted with the management Of her mo
neys and the payment of her debts, when
they require more of your money to pay
your debts; and yet it is not safe, it is no
ex3edient, for you to know your real liabil
ties? Such is now The position of those
who refuse TO vote for this resolution. 1t j:
virtually saying 10 the people, you shall no
know your real condition. tits by withhold
/ ing this information, that this great defcien
cy has been produced. Ii the officers o
State, when they discovered there was {
continually increasing deficiency in our in
terest fund, had possessed the courage tt
have come out boldly, as the gentleman from
Franklin has now done, and proclaimed, tina
unless some steps were taken to avert it
the State must eventually become bankrupt
we would not now have occupied our degra
ding position begging borrower. Of the ere
dit of banks, whose very existence depend
ed upon keeping us in this humiiating con
dition. honor the gentleman for the bolt
stand he has taken; and deeply regret tha
no one before had the courage to assume il
But, sir, have not yet done with the speecl
of that gentleman. He further says:
"Let as not fear to examine our condi
tion, but like men probe the mound to the bot
tom and fearlessly apply the remedy. But
this course shall not be adopted, if other
shall timidly shrink from the performanc
of this duty, if repudiation shall enuelop
} our belorcd state, in a mantle Of shame, dr
wing our most wealthy citizens from our bol
ders, and preventing from coming among u
all who are unwilling to share the ignomin
of violating public faith, I, at least, will was
t my hands of the foul stain-I will not stan
tamely by, and see the deed committed"
But whether or not the gentleman for