The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-02-23

e constitutional money Of the country, an
until she does so publish and declare, he
duty will be to disburse her revenues il
gold and silver coin. And further, if SO 1
be, that the creditors ofthe State are inca
,, pable Of agreeing 10 receive bank paper il
payment Of their claims, payment il
; such is equivalent in all its force and con
sequences to making II a tender in dis
charge Of debts, and therefore forbidden
by the constitution Of the general govern
, ment, which in the tenth section Of the frs
article prohibits the State making anythin,
but gold and silver a tender in payment o
debts. In such case, the creditor to whom
the State disburses her revenue, has n,
power to demand and enforce the paymen
OF coin, the matter resting entirely in th,
honor Of the State; proffer to pay in any
thing but the coin, is in violation, if no
directly, most assuredly indirectly, ofsuci
Then, sir, for these reasons, and other.
that might be named, it is the duty Of the
State, having regard to correct principles
TO make her disbursements in coin. I
may, and have no doubt will, be urged
that policy or expediency forbids her a.
dopting such a course. During the long
and still continuing crusades OF exclusive
privileges and vested rights against the re.
publican institutions, of this country, we
find that every assault and charge in which
they have been successful, has been
through the agency, and by means Of the
terms policy or erpediency; terms which,
by the abuse 10 which they have been thus
subjected in the base and foul plottings OF
those ensmies to our government, have
fallen into disuse among ;rue and indepen-
dent republicans. so much so that when a
project is now set on foot, the first and on
ly enquiry with them is, in the language
Of republicanism, "is il right" All the
stabs that ourin siituiions, both general and
Stale. ever received, have been through
and by means of the insidious wiles of ir.
responsible and Indefinite policy or erpedi.
ency. The tories of the Revolution. to
their own satisfaction. justified their oppo.
sition TO the propagation Of free principles
and the establishment of a republican gov.
ernment, BY resort 10 these screens of
vice and wrong. The passage oflbe alien
and sedition laws, by virtue Of which the
administration in power could for,ify the
government against the people. and in.
dulge in luxury and corruption with safe
ty and impuniy. The creation Of Bank
Of the United Sta,es.by means OF which the
government of the country was to betrans.
ferred from the people to the wealthy cap.
italisi. and the people and government
cease 10 be one and the same. The a.
dop'ion Of The system of high protective
tariff. through which ono portion Of the
community was to be taxed to support and
further the private interests of another. III
violation OF all constitutional obligations.
Opposition to The acquisition Of territory.
by which acquisition homes are intended
10 he furnished to The poor and landless.
and they be permitted to escape the en-.
shaving will and power Of wealth and cap.
ital. The creation Of State Banks, by
which the constitutional currency Of the
country is sought to be discredited, dishon-
ored and expelled from the channels Of
circulation, and substituted in its place
worthless and irresponsible paper curren-
cy. a4ffs5f4'ef flt
81 All these wrongs and evils, and innu.
merable others that will not now name,
have been attempted to be chained upon
the governments of this country. by means
Of the frauds and deceitful insinuations of
policy or erpediency. Aside from the rea.
sons have urged in support of the posi-
ton that the revenues of the State should
be disbursed in the constitutional curren.
cy ofthe country, safety demands that her
means consist Of that kind Of funds that
have an intrinsic value. and not subject to
depreciationat the will or pleasure Of any
person or association ofpersons.@ Those
kind Of funds that to-day in the money
market may be at par value, and to-mor-
row, independent Of any act ofthe State.
fifty orninety.nine per cent below---- are not
such as she, acting on principles prudent
protection, ought TO handle "a
~ will not pursue this enquiry further
but will for a few moments turn to another
point The bill contemplates and provides
not only that the revenues ofthe State shall
be inrmoney Of "a reliable and permanent
value. but also that when the same shall
have been collected and placed within her
power, control and possession, il shall SO,
in fact and not presumption merely. re-.
main ill disbursed pursuant, to the reqmsi.
lions ofthe law, upon the call ofcreditors.
Il il is true that the funds Of the State
should have a,reliable character as to val
ne, it is also true that they should retain
hat character and their identity, and be
orthcoming and in readiness At all times.
beyond anydoubtor hazard against which
tis possible TO guard. sat s9i1
i The indefinite and loose system hereto
ore and now existing with regard to the +
security and sale keeping Of the public
Monies the Stateis inno particular com.
,etent to subserse the true interests and I,
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