The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-05-14
From the Ohio Patriot.
TAX PAYERS Alloy!

TAX PAYERS Alloy!
MILLIONS OF ADDITIONAL DEBT AHEAD
The recklessness with which large num-
Der Of the counties in Ohio are voting
themselves into debt for railroad purposes,
justfes the fear that day may come
when there will be a general move 10 sad
die these debts upon the shoulders Of the
State. We protest in advance, against
such an outrage, and to guard against per-
petralion, we shall labor with double zeal
in favor of the new constitution which for
bids it. The following remarks from the
Cincinnati Enquirer, are so much to our
taste, that we ask their attentive perusal
by our readers:
In regard TO the public debt the new con-
stitution provides that the State may con-
tract debts 10 repel invasion, suppress in
surrection or to redeem our present debt,
and to meet casual deficits or failures in
revenues, or expenses not otherwise pro-
vided for; but the aggregate amount OF
such debts, for the purposes last named,
shall never exceed seven hundred and fifty
thousand dollars.
In another place, the constitution pro-
vides;
"Thc State shall never contract any
debt for purposes OF internal improve
ments" And except the debts above
specified its language is: "no debt achaI-
crer shall hereafter be creaIed By or on
behalf Of The State" .
We have no doubt this great reform will
be ratified with hearty good will by our
people.
If there is any practice which free, in.
dustrous. and comfortable people should
discourage and forbid, as we are glad 10
say, we have now done, it Is the practice
of building up a national debt. In GER
tain quarters, a national debt may be re-
garlcd as national blessing but we affirm,
that in every free and true government, it
is and can only be national curse, and
felt to be so throug hout the States.
Eighteen millions Of dollars Of State
debt. incurred for what would not bring
one third the amount, and all secured by
pied ge-a gage-a mortgage OF the
property Of our citizens! There is not
farm, or workshop, or house in the
State, that is not, to all intens and pur-
poses. under mortgage for its redemption.
| 1t seems to us that practice, which
thus burdens people. is foreign to the
true and legitimate end Of government.
Government is not an association OF
persons to carry on canal enterprises. nor
turnpike enterprises, nor railroad enter
prses; nor should it take the property Of
its people to make them, or make them
upon credit by pledging their property.
| We know there are some who would so
have it., and we confess the notion has in
times past been popular; but the last and
truest judgment Of democracy upon this
subject is otherwise.
Government is no concern for trade or
hazardous speculation or investment OF
any kind. Government is not called upon
to take care Of the people and invest their
property for them in great schemes, as ii
they did not know how 10 take care Of
themselves; nor is it guardian ard the
people the wards. The people are not
minors, nor orhcipless like infants; they have
become of age on all these subjects, and
propose, hereafter, to act the guardian
, themselves.
We rejoice in the tendency OF the pres
ent day TO simplify in this thing OF human
government.
What is human government, rightly re-
garded? An organization for the better
security Of individual rights, and its great
duty is, simply to declare these rights, and
enectualy TO guard them. 1t is a need.
ful con.rivance to keep one man off an
other, and off his neighbor's property, and
this being done, it should let US all alone,
to work out our destiny as individual free.
men and equals.
But we proceed to call attention to one
or two other important provisions in this
article.
"rhe credit of the State shall not in
any manner be given or loaned to, or in
aid OF any individual association, or cor
poration whatever; nor shall the State ever
hereafter become joint owner or stock.
holder in any company or association in
this State or elsewhere, formed for any pur-
pose whatever"
This denial of power to the State needs
no comment. 1t will be approved by law
Again-"The State shall never assume
the debts Of any county, city, town, or
of any corporation whatever. unless such
debt shall have been created to repel in.
vasion, suppress insurrectioh, or defend
the State in war"
"This, too, will be approved.
We quote still another provision. "The
General Assembly shall nerer authorize
any county. city, town, or township, by
vote Of citizens or otherwise, 10 become
stockholder in any joint stock company,