The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-09-05
10 the People of Monroe
County.

Having been ANNOUNCED as candidate for
Representative in the next General. Assembly OF
our State, it becomes my duty, lat least deem it
to be such,) to declare the principles which shall
govern my actions; provided it shall be your will
to select me for that station. E
I Under ordinary circumstances this would not be
necessary, inasmuch, as am native OF Good old
Monroe; having dwelt within her borders for near
ly forty years, and am consequently known to
large portion of my fellow citizens. But it is not
so easy, now, TO select individuals for office who
are identified with your interests wasi in times
gone by, when all were honest, and one common
interest was the interest of ALL Interests have be-
come diversified; and SO many persons are seeking
for your suffrages-some no doubt for honest pur-
poses, but many, indeed, whose object alone is the
loaves and fshes-that it has become necessary for
a candidate (and il should be demanded of him by
the peope) to give explicitly his views of the vari-
Gus measures advanced for the veal or woe of our
country.
It is for this purpose, fellow citizens, thatI now
address you. But first let me say that it will be
impossible within the limits of this communication
to give my views, in detail, of all the various mea
sures now before the people. 1 must, therefore,
confne myself to general principles. First, then,
let me call your attention to the disposition which
appears to exist in country Of building up mo-
nopoizing corporatiohs an evil, which if not soon
checked, will some day require the whole vigilance
OF our people to ceunteract am in favor of no
monopolies-I am opposed to every one (ne mat
ter what may be its descripton) that has for Its OBJ
jec The building up Of the moned interest, at the
expense, and to the detriment, Of the producing
class of community. / detest the sentiment, Ut
tered by an old federalst-" Take care of the rich
and the rich will take care of the poor" On the
other hand, adopt, for nay motto the words ofthe
great and good Jackson -" The blessings of gov
ernment, like the dewsof Heaven, should be dis
pensed alike upon the rich and the poor. The high
and the low" In short, am in favor of leaving
the roadto wealth and eminence open to the en-
terpise and industry OF all citizens; and ifthere
are those who are too lazy to seek for wealth and
em,nence upon these terms let him suffer the pen.
| atty that follows iothfulness.
| lam in favor of no more legislation than is ac-
tually necessary protect our citizens in their pur
suit of happiness, their lives, their liberty. and their
property, and to carry on faithful and econom-
cal administration Of the affairs of our government
tits an evil of which our people often complain,
that too much time and money is spent in useless
legislation. Laws are palmed upon us that areof
no earthly benefit TO us, but decided injury; and
often, indeed The time is not spent in legslating at
all, but in making electioneering speeches and
cohcocting electioneering schemes. ! am also op-
posed to an increase of the wages of our public
officers. believe it TO be an unjust principle, that
puts thousands into the pockets of our public SER
wants, when the farmers by hard honest labor
scarcely earn their hundreds.
Unequal taxation, and taxation for useless and
unnecessary purposes must, also, receive my un-
qualified disapprobation. am aware that it is no
easy matter TO frame law that viii bear exactly
equal upon all classes But there is a vast differ
ence between law that has equality for its object
and measurabiy approaches its end, and law that
unblushingly bears upon It's face the object Of its
trainers to fix the principle part of the burden up.
on one class, and that class the least able to bear
IT. The tax law palmed upon US by the late whig
legislature consider of the latter character. i
need not, if | could within the limits of this COM
municaon, discuss its provisions in detail, because
it carries its own condemnation with it. But
would ask, is il just to tax one portion of our cit
izens upon bo oth their capital and profits, while it
almost totally exempts another portion, save and
except small tax upon merely the profits of their
business? The tax law. does this, for while the
Bankers are taxed only upon the profits Of their
business, the balance Of our citizens must bear the
burden. But let me ask again, is il Just to tax US
at all for the purpose OF erecting splendid State
House, and to pay newly created and useless pub
lie officers, while we are already laboring under
one heavy debt and that debt created for the pur-
pose of making canals and other public improve
Inents $50 called) that to the people OF Monroe
county Of no more benefit than they are to the In
habitants Of the moon' Let the people OF old Mon
roe answer. fesG I'D y a3sa i
In conclusion, fellow citizens, allow me to say,
that il chosen your representative, will give
my humble support to Democratic principles and
measures, believing them TO be the best calculated
to promote the real interests of the people. e
ihave thus attempted to give you my views Of ]
me most prominent principles that rertan more .
Immediately 70 our common prosperity; and al !
hough they may not be given in the splendid style
md elegant dicton Of the scholar and the finished
gentleman, yet beg yoa 10 recollect that am but
in humble farmer, and like the most Of you earn
ny bread BY the sweat Of my brow. =" Butsueb as
ny views are. The position in which I am placed
: acandidate;makss themy0ur properly. and they