The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1852-03-13
VOL. 13-Wo. 0e1.

the end. We must inseribe upon our
banners. sound regard Tor the reserved
rights Of the States, 4 strict construction
OF the constitution. a denial to Congress
OF all powers not clearly granted by that
instrument. and rigid economy in pub
lie expenditures.
These expenditures have now reached
the enormous sun of fifty millions OF dol
lars per annum. and. unless arrestetm
their advance by the strong arm Of the
democracy ef the country, may. inthc
course at few years. reach one hundred
millions. The appropriation Of mosey to
accomplish great national objects sane
toned by the constitution ought to be on.
a scale commensurate with our power aud
- tz< scvs,3xxtej,l spsler Che ensdancss.
OF enlightened economy sHd strirt re-
sponsibilitv. AN convinced that our
expenses might be considerably reduced
below the present standard, not only
without detriment. but with positive adj
vantage both. to the government and the
people.
excessive and lavish expenditure Of
public 6uney. though in itself highly
Pernicious, is as, nothing when compared
with the disastrous influence it may exert
upon the character Of our free institutions.
"A strong tendency towards extravagance
is the great political evil Of the present
day and this ought to be firmly resisted.
Congress is now necessarily importuned
from every quarter to make appropria tons
tor all sorts Of projects. Money money
from the national treasury, is constantly
demanded to enrich contractors, specu-
'ators. and agents and these projects are
s''ded over with every aIlurement which
can be impaired to them by ingenuity and
talent.-Claims which bad been condemn
ell by former decisions. aud had become
rusty with age, have been again revived,
and have been paid. principal and interest.
Indeed. there seems to be one general rush
10 obtain money from the treasury. on
any and every pretence.
What will be the inevitable consequence
OF such lavish expenditures : Are they
not calculated to disturb the nicely adjust
ed balance between the federal and State
governments. upon the preservation Of
which depen1 is the harmony and efficiency
of our system Greedy expectants from
the fete.sI treasury will regard with in
difference, if not with contempt, the gov
ernments Of the several States. The doc
trne of State rights will he laughed to
.corn by such individuals as an obsolete
abssraclian. .-un worthy ol the enlishlspsl
spirit of the age. rhe corrupting power
OF money will be felt throughout the length
and breadth Of the land and the demo-
cracy. led on by the Hero and Sage of the
Hermitage will have in vain pot down u the
Bank Of the United States. if the same
fatal influence for which it was condemned
shall be exerted and fostered by means
drawn from the public treasury.
To be liberal with their own money but
sparing of that Of the republic was the
glory "f distinguished public servants
among the ancient Romans. When this
maxim was reversed. and the public money
was employed by artful and ambitious de-
masognes to secure their OWN assrandize-
ment. genuine liberty soon expired. tits
true that the forms Of the republic con-
tinued for many years. but the animating
and inspiring soul had fed forever. en-
terrain no serious apprehensions that we
shall ever reach this point. yet we may
still profit by their example.
With sentiments Of the highest respect,
remain your friend and fellow Citizen,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
John Nelson. William +. Giles. John q.
Wharton. John Morris, Correll Spence,
William =. Ponder, and John A. Bowen.
esqs., and others.