Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-12-16

lCOHuuClcus w itn OIL euO ~N' -
perintendence which il is possible for
the Heads OF those Departments 10
exercise, still the due administration
and guardianship of the public money
must very much depend on the vigilance,
intel igence, and fidelity OF the subordi-
naie officers and clerks. and especially
ON those entrusted with the settlement
and adjustment Of claims and accounts.
am gratified 10 believe that they have
generally performed their duties faiths
fully and well. They are appointed to
guard the approaches to the pubic
Treasury, and they occupy Pos'uons
that expose them to all the temptations,
and seductions which the cupidity OF
peculators and fraudulent claimants can
prompt them 10 employ.
II will be but wise precaution to pro-
tect the government against that source
of mischief and corruption. as far as IT
can be done, BY the enactment OF all
proper legal penalties. The laws IN
this respect, are supposed TO be deiec-
tive, and therefore deem if my duty TO
call your attention to the subject, and to
recommend that provision be made, by
law, for the punishment, not only oil
those who shall accept bribes, bu; also
of those who shall either promise. give
or offer TO give. TO any of those officers
or clerks, bribe or reward. touching or
relating to any matter oftheir official ac-
ton or duty.
II has been the uniform policy OF This
government, from its foundation to the
present day, to abstain from all interfe-
renee in the domestic affairs of other
nations. The consequence has been
that, while the nations Of Europe have
been engaged in desolating wars. our
country has pursued IFS peaceful course
to unexampled prosperity and haPPi-
ness
The wars in which we have been
compelled to engage, in defense OF the
rights and honor of the country, have
been fortunately of short duration. Du-
ring the terrific contest Of nation against
nation, which succeeded the French rev.
olution, we were enabled by the wisdom
and frmness of President Washington
to maintain our neutrality. While oth~
er nations were drawn into this wide
sweeping whirlpool, We sat quiet and
unmoved upon our own shores. While
the flower of their numerous armies was
wasted by disease or perisbed by hum
dreds of thousands upon the battlefield,
the youth ofthis favored land were per
mitted to enjoy the blessings of peace
beneath the paternal roof. While the
States Of Europe incurred enormous
debts, under the burden of which their
subjects still groan, and which must abb
sorb no small.part of the product of the
honest industry OF those countries for
Generations to come, the United States
have once been enabled TO exhibit the
Proud spectacle of nation free from
public debt; and, if permitted TO pursue
our prosperous way for few years
longer in peace, we may do the same
again.
But it is now said, by some, that this
policy must be changed. Europe is no
longer separated from us BY voyage OF
months, but steam navigation has brought
her within few days sail of our shores.
We see more OF her movements, and
take deeper interest in her controver-
sizes. Although no one proposes that
we should Join the fraternity of poten-
tates, who have, for ages. lavished the
blood and treasure of their subjects in
maintaining ''the balance OF power" yet
il is said that we ought to interfere be
tween contending sovereigns and their
subjects, for the purpose of oyerthrowing
the monarchies of Europe, and estab-
fishing. in their place, republican insti-
tutions. It's alleged that we have here
tofore pursued different course from
sense of our weakness, but that now our
conscious strength dictates change OF
policy, and that il is consequently our
duty TO mingle in these contests. and
aid those who are struggling for liberty
This is most seductive but danger
GUS appeal TO the generous symPathles
of freemeE. Enjoying as we do the
blessings of free government, there is
no man who has an American heart that
would not rejoice TO see these blessings
extended TO all other nations We can
not witness the struggle between the oP- |
pressed and his oppressor anywhere
without the deepest sympathy for the for
mer, and the most anxious desire Tor ms
triumph. Nevertheless. Is it prudent or
is it wise to involve ourselves in these
foreign wars? Is it indeed true that we
have heretofore refrained from doing so
merely from the degrading motive of a
conscious weakness? For the honor OF
the patriots who have gone before us.
cannot admit it. Men of the Revolution
who drew the sword against the opPres-
sions orthe mother country. and pledged
TO Heaven "their lives, their fortunes.
and their sacred honor" to maintain
their freedom, could never have been
actuated by so unworthy a motive
They knew no weakness or fear where
right or duty pointed the way, and it is
a libel upon their fair fame for US. while
we enjoy the blessings for which they
so nobIy fought and bled. to inslnuate it.
The truth is that the course which they
pursued was dictated by stern sense Of
justice, by statesmanlike
prudence. and a far-seeing wisdom,