Democratic banner., 1849-12-24
NATIONAL DEBT.

istratiou and its friends, by exaggerating
the amount Of national indebtedness, and
eewailiBg over the result Of the laundering
incompetehcy of the present administration
and charging it upon the last, brings to their
re collection the course of their friends in
times past, instances the increase of twenty
millions to the national debt in two years OF
ITyler's administration, and draws a Coin
parison between the two parties, which ex-
hibits the one as ~squahdering the peoples
money ia CORRUPT schemes to feed a pack Of
hungry sp~eculstors and political gamblers,
(such as Gen. Webb, Charge to Austria)
and the otlier only mourning debt in. prose-
cutting a just war and defending the honor
and interests Of she country. We take the
following extract from the article alluded to:
"And what was the course of the demo-
cratic party, when it attained power in 1916?
1t was Just the reverse Of that pursued by
the federal party. The administration, then
Indicted into ofise, proceeded at once to
pay the debt incurred by the extravaganza,
the folly, and the corruption of the federal
party. In 1916 Mr.. Folks administration
reduced the national debt from $26, l43, 996
down to $l6,S SAT; and if the Mexican
war had not interviewed, the whole debt
would lave been paid, and there would
have been in the treasury on the 4th of
March, 1S49, a surplus of millions.
But, without the agency Of the admins
~tration of Mr.. Polk, and by the act Of Mex
leo herself, war with that power ensued.-
On OUT part it was waged to defend the in
Itegrity Of OUT territory, to vindicate our ma.
Itional honor, to obtain indemnity for inju-
ries and damages done TO our citizens in
their pefsons and property, and TO insure
security for the future. The war ives con-
Quoted with a skill and energy on the part
Of the administration OF Mr.: Polk, and .
degree of bravery on the part Of the army,
unexampled in modern history. Our flag
was emblazoned with victory upon victory,
and never saw defeat. Our national repu-
|tation was extended abroad TO a degree new
er before known; and our nation elevated,
in a moment as It were, from the rank Of
secondary, to that Of the first, powers Of
the world. Our enemy was humbled, yet
magnanimously dealt by. Atreaty Of peace
was conquered. which gave TO us the most
splendid domain which ever fell to the lot of
any people.
That domain eqsels in extent one.thirdl
Of our former territory; aud contains the
land OF the modern Ophir. The addition
to the national debs for all these splendid
acquisitions Of glory, power, character, do
main, and gold, was about forty-fve mill.
ions Of dollars. And who but q spirit i'm.
bued with latent treason against his conn
try would insult the ear Of patriotism with
his discordant clamor about a debt created
by such necessities and for such purposes ?
The conduct Of the Republic, the organ
Of the cabinet, in reference TO this matter,
reminds US Of the story of the Scotchmau
Hook, the revolutionary tory, who disturb
ed the peace of the American camp by his
hoarse bawling of"beef!" "beef!" "beef!!"|
Hook brought IN action for his beef, but he
gained nothing BY it, except threats Of a
coat Of tar and feathers from the populace.
The organ Of the s~ympathizers with Mex
leo exhibftsJ on account of the debt crea-
ted by the Mexican war, the spirit and dis
position ofthe Scotch tory. 1t finds no So
lace in the glory, honor, character, and sx-
tension o fdomain won by the war. 1t sees
only the debt which grew out Of the war:
and il calls upon the American people to
condemn the democratic party on that ac-
count. We think it will meet with no bet.
ter success ir its attempts 10 inculpste the
democracy on that account, than Hook did
in his suit for the beef"
No one would be surprised at it as much
as they will to learn that he once represent.
ed a respectable county in the Legislature.
True, it would surprise a man to learn
from you any fact, u]nconnec,ed with steam
,Oorks. And the freemen of Pike will not
ask information of you concerning those
things which t~ranspired whilst you we're
gathering oysters on the Eastern shores.
B~ALLoTiNGs FOR SHAKER OF THE House..
The Southern wings must have voted
generally for Winthrop. This is perhapsl
not to be wondered at so much, after the
~ "a n ii