The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-26

and regard them as well qualified, both intellec
tually and morally, for the stations which they FILL
The estimates for expenditure, which they send in
TO us will be almost assurcdly increased in this
House. After passing through this body, they will
have vast additions made TO them in the Senate
On the last day. next to the last Of the session,
they will be returned to us with hundred or two
hundred amendments, amounting in the aggregate
10 an expenditure of millions. For want Of time to
them 2, 20 save the ssnssa
nate on the last day Of the session. we are obliged
to assent to appropriations which would not, in
this House, after proper investigation, md sup
porters enough to obtain division on the vote re-
jecting them. From the very situation in which
find ourselves placed here, II 10 impossible that
there should be that feeling Of responsibility and
that degree Of vigilance which exist in our State
Legislatures The several States ought to leave
to individuals the accomplishment Of all such works
az private enterprise can effect, because OF the
greater cheapness OF its operations. For similar
reason we ought leave to the States the execution
of whatever can beaccomplished by them- know
that for the evil under which we labor Ut difficult
to find remedy; but an honest EFFORT on the part
of all of concerned in the administration Of this
Federal Government, would be productive Of much
good. The clamor raised against Mr.. Van Buren's
administration for its extrava gance, caused re-
duction Of its expenditures in Its last year, from
forty down to twenty-five millions. During the
whole four years Of tho administration of Mr.. Ty-
Ter, the Wing party having come into power upon
professions and principles Of economy, kept their
expenditures down to this standard. During the
first year Of Mr. Folks administration, the expen-
ses were not materially increased. But now, an in
tsrval Of only five years having elapsed. they are
greatly more than doubled Still there is much
reason to fear that they will be rapidly increased.
This results from the fact, that while the people fur
nsh the money, the Government determines the
amount OF the expenditure.
Where an individual is responsible for his own
expenses, il il often difficult for him to keep his
outlay within proper limits. But wherever one
furnishes the money and another expends 1t, pro-
nlsv1oa ipvo .SShl
results. Had we not then better refuse all cxpen-
dtures and decline to exercise all powers but those
which necessary to the carrying out OF the
known and well defined objects Of this Govern
ment The case is surrounded with difficulty,
however, because il is easy to carry into excess
and abuse powers the exercise Of which cannot
well be dispensed with. have sometimes thought,
Mr. Chairman, that striking difference between
the modes of thinking in the southern and north
ern portions Of our Union, might be found in this
The people of the southern States. engaged in ag-
riculture, live far apart are accustomed to reflect
much and not easily driven to excess. In the
North the people in close contact, more restless
in their habits more readily act upon zach other,
they show more quickness and energy In their
movements, and manifest more excitability They
are more readily brought up TO efficient action, but
reflect less the ultimate tendency Of their move
their large cties, az sensitive to the change Of
day the thermometer itself, exert controlling
influence over the sentiment of the North. Hence
the northerf population acting as States and cor
extraordinary progress. They have not, however,
exhibited so much of that enlarged philosophy
which il essential to the constitution Of states
man Of the first order. Their public men are usu-
ally too sensitive to popular impulse, and exhibit
often little independence Of thought and action.
The southern States seem TO have produced q lar
ger number Of independent. sell. relying and phil
aggregated as States and corporations, this spirit
OF great activity and energy works well, and the
northern States have made extraordinary progress
80 I.~s~ IN
In the southern States, on the contrary, the in
dividuals live more alone, are accustomed TO de-
pend more on their own resources, have feeling
Of greater independence, and have more time for
reflection. They are less sensitive to immediate
popular impressions, exhibit often a stronger
will as individuals, and are more accustomed to
| take an enlarged and philosophic view Of sub
| iect. This, as it has sometimes been alleged by
the Abolitoniss, may be due in part to the habit
| of dominion over their slaves and the pride of
| superior caste. But whether attributable in any
degree or not to such cause, 1t is certainly true
| that while they have accomplished less through
the medium Of the State governments, wherein
mere activity and impulse are more essential, they
| seem to have exerted greater control upon the
action of this central Government. II is a COM
mon remark throughout the North, that certain
systems and movements which arc complained of
with u.s. really had their origin with southern
statesmen. This is undoubtedly true. The vir-
ginians were opposed to the indefinite importation
| of slaves. and advocated the prohibition to take
effect after the year 1908, and Mr.. jefferson un
doubtedy favored the exclusion of slavery north of
| the Ohio river. But when the New England poll
ticians that in the convention which made the Fed
era Constitution went for the prolongation Of the
slave trade to the latest period proposed, subse
quently shifted their position. and assumed the
strongest anti-slavery ground in the Missouri con-
troversy, It is equally certain that Mr. Jefferson
condemned their movement. 1t Is alsO true that
the doctrine of protection to our domestic industry
had its early and most strenuous advocates among
| southern statesmen. As soon, however, as it was
| taken up by the masses of the North, IL was
| pressed TO an extent of extravagant protection,
| and even prohibition. The doctrine Of internal
| improvement by the Government, ia likewise af.
| frmed to have had southern origin. But its
northern friends are now those who are pushing il
into great abuses, we think, accompanied with
| profuse and wasteful expenditure As the action
Of this Government, therefore, was intended to be
| limited in high degree, and restricted to the ex-
| ercise Of well-defned powers, the prevalent mode
| of thinking ut the South seems to harmonize best
with its nature; and it may be owing to some such
cause az this that the public judg ment has more
| frequently intrusted its management to them II
is possible too, that the great Influx of foreigners
into the northern States, ignorant they are ut
complicated checks and balances, has been ma
terial element in modifying the tone of opinion
| and sentiment in the North
Should the action of the Government in future
be directed by those who subject to these nfu-
| snces, it remains to be whether it will pro-
serve its former character and usefulness. The
agitation of the last two years having partially
destroyed the old party organizations, and having
very nearly annihlated party animosities, in the
present calm an opportunity i afforded for ex-
amining the principles Of the Government, and
estimating properly the effects of its past action
Should new parties arise the old ones be essen
tally modified, they ought TO be made to stand a.
| much possible upon sound principles. What
are likely to be the successful movements of a
party character it 10 not easy to decide. We were
all amused yesterday with the attempts of the gen.
| teman from Maryland, MIR. McLANE,) in reply
to tho questions Of the gentleman from South Caro-
lima, (Bfr. HoLMrs,) to explain in what Democracy
| consisted. His definition was that Democrat was
he who stood by and honestly carried OUT the OBJ
jects and determinations Of the party organiza-
ton. This definition he twice gave III reply to
questions.
Mr.. McLANE said this not his statement,
| and proposed to explain.
Mr.. CLISGMAN continued l regret that the
hands of the clock moving too rapidly to per-
init me to give the gentleman the floor. / may be
mistaken about the precise terms he did The
members of the House generally are quite like
| ly to recollect what he did say he or /. He
said further, in continuation, that Democrat, in