Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-08-18
PRESENT AND FUTURE

any thing TO distinguish them from each other,
save the distinctive they bear; and that
they have not ere this run together" to great
extent, is TO be attributed rather, perhaps to the
force of prejudice engendered by early collisions
than to any real difference of principle now exist
ing. The old party landmarks have nearly all
been obiterated, and in reference to leading ques-
tons the mass of northern people occupy essenti
ally the ground
Take, for instance, tie question of the Tariff
The idea of protection except in one or two
States Immediately interested in such policy, j:
generally relinquished by wings, as well as repudi
ated by democrats and, a party, we have nc
idea that the wings ever expect or desire rcturr
to the exploded system. They see the tendency
, of things in free trade direction, at home anC
abroad; and all they appear disposed to contend
for under existing circumstances is rereAue tariff
so adjusted as to secure the greatest amount o.
revenue TO the government, and operate the least
GENEROUSLY upon the commerce of the country. This
we believe to be the sentiment of great majority
of the wings and l.ere there is certalnlyno disagree
ment with the mass of the other party, who are as
yet, to any very considerable extent, unprepared
equally with the wings TO advocate and adopt
what zee believe to be the true policy; Uie direct
taxation, the only proper, equitable and repub-
lican mode of raising means for the support of
gov eminent
Next, take the question of a National Bank, and
Banking generally. There is not wing IN a
hundred low dispos ed 10 advocate or favor the
establishment of a National Bank, either as ne
ceSsary agent in the transaction of the fiscal affairs
of the government, as regulator of the curren-
| cy. The experience of the past few years has
demonstrated to cir entire atsfacton the fallacy
of the views they formerly entertained on these
subjects and as honest men, those views have been
J in the main relinquished We hear no more from
any of their organs in favor of National Banking
Institution. And whatever differences of opinion
there may be in reference 10 the precise manner in
which the fiscal affairs of the government should
be managed-difierences which, upon Investigations
will be found to be but sght-a Bank has evidently
become an obsolete idea" As regards the sys
tenn of Banking generally we are not aware that
wings and democrats-we mean the more ntelli-
gent portions of thcm--d:fer very materially The
idea of exclusively metallic currency is enter
tanned by but few of any party and the system of
special grants for banking purposes is becoming
universally unpopular. So far as our own territory
is concerned we believe that iour-fths of the peo
pie are in favor of General Banking Laws conterr-
ing special privileges none and closing the door
tn ho no n int la
ness, subject TO such restrictions and liabilities as
may be necessary TO secure the public from fraud
and imposition.
| Thirdly-take the question of Internal Improve
ments by the general government The platform
presented by the great Convention at Chicago not
it seems, too narrow for wings, too broad
for democrats Among the thousands OF delegates
in attendance at the Conyention-men ofall parties
and from every quarter of the Union-there APP
peared to be but little difference of opinion in re-
gard to the Constitutional power and duty of the
government upon the subject of harbor and other
Improvements. The letter OF >las Wright met as
much with the appreciation of wings as democrats;
and that this letter but embodied and expressed the
views of the great mass OF the people OF the North,
without distinction of party there cannot,
think be question.
Fourthly-as to the management and proper
disposal OF the Public Domain Here are no issues
of an important character that we are aware OF,
as between the democratic and wing parties. All
agree that for the present at least, and Judging from
appearances for many years to come, the money
IpriV cd no oft no
piled to the payment of the expenses ofgoyemment,
and not distributed among the States. All concur
in the opinion that the price of these lands should
be kept at the lowest possible pont-that the gov
eminent should expect or desire TO realize no more
from the public lands than sufficient to equal the
amount expended in their purchase, survey, sale,
&c. And all further agree that the most liberal
laws should be enacted securing the settler at the
minimum rates in the possession of his landed claim
against the Spectator There is no disagreement
between wings and democrats, as SUCH on these
points. The question, whether the public lands
should be made free, under certain limitations as to
quantity, to every landless man, or citizen who
may be disposed to enter upon and improve them,
has not yet become party element, and is not
likely to become so, as between wings and demo
Gratis.
Flthly-On the questions of Legal Reform,
Homestead Exemptions and the repeal of laws for
the collection of debts-favorite measures with
us-democrats and wings, as party men, have ia
ken no position. There is however, we are happy
TO believe, rapidly progressing sentiment in IA
vor OF these things in both parties and under the
influence of the enlightened and liberal spirit of the
age, we hope and expect TO these great objects
accomplished, in the several States of the Union
through the agency, TO greater less extent, OF
all parties. Connecticut has commenced the work
in New England-New York among the middle
States-and the West, we are confident, will not be
found in the Wings, as we'll as democrats
favor and support these measures, and democrats,
as we'll as wings discountenance and oppose them
We aude to the subject in this manner and con-
necion, only for the purpose of exhibiting that none
of these questions have yet assumed party aspect
or constitute any of the issues between the two
leading political organizations of the country
SiXthly-if we consider the war against Mexico
we find, however much wings and democrats may