Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-12-15

meDtS of this Government to bear testimony TO the
efficiency and integrity with which they are con-
Quoted With all the careful supernteudence
which it is possible for the Heads ofthese Depart
mens to exercise, still the due administration and
guardianship Of the public money must very mNch
depend on the vigilance, intelligence, and fidelity
OF the subordinate officers and clerks, and espe-
cially on those entrusted with the settlement a''u
adjustment of claims and accounts. am grained
to believe that they have generally performed ''iou
duties faithfully and well. They are appointed 10
guard the approaches to the pabHc treasury ara
thew occupy positions that expose them to ali the
temptations and seductions which the cupld!'y oil
REGULATORS and fraudulent claimants can prorPt
them to employ IL will be but a wise PreeautIon
10 protect the Government against that source oi
mischief and corruption, rs far rs 1t can be done,
by the enactment of all proper legal penalties
The laws, in this respect, are supposed to be de-
fcctiyc, and therefore deem it my duty to call
your attention TO the subject, and to recommend that
provision DO made by law Tor the punishment not
only of those who shall except brides, but also
those who shall either promise, give, OF otier to
give to any of those officers or clerks bride or re-
ward touching or relating any matter OF their Oil
cal action or duty.
1t has been the uniform policy OF this 0oVera-
ment from its foundation to the present day 10 az
stain from all Interference In the domestic affairs
of other nations. The consequence has been mat
while the nations of Europe have been engaged IN
desoating wars our country has persued its peace
full course to uneXampled prosperity and happiness
The wars in which we have been compelled to en-
gage, in defence of the rights and honor of the
country, have been Fortunately of short duration.
During the terrific contest ofnatun against nation,
which succeeded the French revolution, we were
enabled by the wisdom and firmness OF President
Washington to maintain our neutrality. While
other nations were drawn into this wide sweeping
whirlpool, we sat quiet aud unmoved upon our own
shores While the flower of their numerous ar
mics was Wasted by disease orperlshed by hundreds
of thousands upon the battlefield, the youth OF
this favored land were permitted to ENJOY the
blessings of peace beneath the paternal root
While the, States of Europe incurred enormous
debts, under tho burden of which their subjects
still proan and which must absorb no small part oil
the product of the honest industry OF those coun-
tries for generations to come, the United StateS
have once been enabled to exhibit the proud spec
tace of nation free from public debt; and, per-
mitted to pursue our prosperous way Tor lew
wears 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 nayiga-
shores. We SEQ more other movements, and take
a deeper interest in her controversies. Although
no one proposes that we should join the fraternity
of potentates who have for ages avlshed the blood
and treasure of their subjects in maintaining 1.-THE
balance of power" vet it is said that we ought to
interfere between contendng sovereigns and Their
subjects, for the purpose of overhrowing the mon
arches of Europe and establishing in their place
republican institutions 1t IS alleged that we
have heretofore pursued different course from
sense of our weakness, but that now our conscious
strength dictates change Of policy, and that It is
consequently our duty to mlng!e IN these contests
and aid those who are struggling for liberty,
This is most seductive bat dangerous appeal to
the generous sympathies OF treemen. 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 cannot witness the struggle
setwesn the oppressed and his oppressor anywhere
without the deepest sympathy for the former, and
the most anxious desire for his triumph. Never
thaess, is it prudent or is 1t wise to involve our
selves i'm these foreign wars! Is 1t indeed true
that we have heretofore refrained from doing 50
merely from the degrading motive Of a conscious
weakness For the honor of the patriots VINO
have gone before us, cannot admit It, Men OF
the Revolution who drew the sword against the
onpre ssons of the mother country, and pledged 10
Heaven ''their lives, their fortunes and their sd
cred honor" to maintain their freedom, could new
or have been actuated by 50 unworthy motive
They knew no weakness or tear where right or
Suty poiptcd the way, and it is a libel upon their
fair fame for lis. while We enjoy the blessings for
which thew so nobly fought and bled, to lnsln-
nate it. The truth is that the course which they
pursued was dictated by stern sense OF mterna-
ttional Justice. by statesmanlike prudence and 4
ar.seeinr wisdom. looking not merely to the pres
ent necessities but to the permanent safety ana III
terest of the country. They knew that the world
ia governed less BY sympathy than By reason and
force that it was not possible dor this nation to be-
come s.proparandist' of free principles without
arrayinp AGAINST it the combined powers OF Europe;
and that the result was more likely to be the over
throw of republican liberty here than Its establish
meat there. History has been written III vain lot
those who can doubt this. France had no sooner
established republican form OF government than
she manifested desire to force It's blessings on all
the world. Her own historian informs US that,
bearing Of some petty acts OF tyranny IN neigo0r
inc principality, ''rhe National Convention dc
clsred that she would afford succor and fraternity
10 all nations who wished to recover their liberty;
and she rave it in charge to the executive poweu
10 give orders to the generals of the French armies
10 aid all citizens who might have been or should
he oppressed in the cause of liberty" Here vas
the false step which led to her subsequent mlsior-
tunes. She soon found herself involved In war
with all the rest of Europe. In less than ten years
her Government was changed from republic to
an empire; and finally, after shedding rivers OF
blood, foreign powers restored her exiled dynasty,
and exhausted Europe sought peace and repoSe IN
the unquestioned ascendency OF monarchleal prln-
,ciples. Let us learn wisdom from her example.
Let us remember that revolutions do not always
establish freedom. Ourown free institutions were
not the offspring of our Revolution. They exist
before. They were planted in the free charters OF
self Government under which the English colonies
rrew up. and our Revolution only freed us from
the dominion of q foreign power, whose govern
ment was at variance with those institutions.
But European nations have had no such training
for self government and every effort to establish 1t
nv bloody revolutions has been, and must, without
that preparation. continue to be failure. Liber-
IN. uaregulated by law, degenerates into anarchy,
which soon becomes the most horrid OF all deSpo-
tisms. Our policy is wisely to govern ourselves,
and thereby to SET such an example OF national jus
tice prosperity, and true glory, as shall teach to
all nations the blessings of seltgovernment, and
,he UNPARALLELED enterprise and success OF tree
people IL : o,,.
We live in an age Of progress, and ours is e'n-
,phaticaily country Of progress Wt'h,a '1e idS'
half century the number of States ~ ms OuIon
has nearly doubled the population has almcsI quGu
rupled, and oar boundaries have been eXteG''eU
from the Mississippi to the Pacific. Our territory
is chequered over with railroads, and turrowe''
with canals. The inventive talent OF our country
is excited to the highest pitch, and the numerous
applications for patents for valuable Improvements