Washington telegraph., 1854-07-12
The Speaking.

dor and fearless Independence. There is
no humbugging nor under-the- bush work
with him-whatever his opinions are he
boldly expresses them.
He said that he believed in the doctrine
of economy and strict construction of the
constitution. So Go we. But economy
sometimes grows so rigid as to become,
in the end, ruinous, and the constitution
may be so strictly construed as to violate
its spirit. The constitution should be con-
strucd according to the spirit and intention
of its trainers. and this, we presume, is the
Colonel's opinion.
He said he was in favor of import duties
only on such articles, either luxuries or ne
cessaries, as we could not produce, and that
the balance of the revenue needed should be
raised by direct taxation. In this we differ
with him. Direct taxation has been odious
to our people ever since they fought against
it in the Revolutionary war; and besides
there are great many articles which we
do not now produce, but which We may be
made capable Of producing, by iudcious
arrangement of the Tariff. If the Tariff be
taken eff because we can produce the ar
ticlc, although we do not, the probability is,
that we never will produce it.
The Colonel referred to the increase of
the Revenue under the act of 1916 in spite
Of the Wing predictions of bankruptcy,
and the ertrauagance Of Mr. FILLMoREs
Administration, with It's outrageous pay
ments Of the GALPHIN and GARDNER
claims. The Colonel seems to have forgot
ten that this country has grown since 1916
viii: unparalleled rapidiiy-that its wants
have been enlarged-that its revenue, in
consequence Of greater importations, has
been rapidly increasing and that reduc-
tion of Tariff, although an injury, could not
retard our progress.
lie seems also to have forgotten who ex-
hausted the Treasury. and reduced it below
the chance of being swindled. All unpre-
JUDGED men admit that Mr.. FLLMoRE's ad-
mnistration was wise and economical one.
The Government is not responsible for the
acts of all the scamps with which it may
have dealings, else some of Mr. FILLMoRE's
Democratic predecessors would have heavy
debt to answer for
| The Colonel says he is opposed to Inter
nal Improvements by the General Govern
ment, but not opposed to grants of land for
Railroad purposes; and also that he is in
favor of appropriations for removing the
Raft in Red river. He is in favor of grants
Of lands to Railroads, because, he says the
Government would be acting like sensible
proprietor-improving to enhance the value
OF the balance Of his estate. This does not
appear 10 US very strong argument. We
cannot see much difference between a grant
of lands to a State for tie purpose of build
inc Railroads and the actual building of
these roads by the Government. Surely
furnishing the means to State, otherwise
totally incapable of building a road, is tue
next thing to building it. If opposed to In
tcrnal Improvements by the General Gov
ernment, why advocate furnishing the means
by which State is improved
The Colonel says that he is in favor OF
appropriations by the General Government
for the removal of the Raft in Red river,
because the Government virtually entered
into compact to remove it with the settlers
in that region, when they purchased their
lands at the Land Office This, again, we
think, rather forced. For the same reason,
the Government may be considered as hav-
Ing entered into compact with every pur-
chaser of public land, to remove any natural
obstruction, which hinders its proper cultiva-
ton and lessons its value.
The Colonel said he was opposed to pay.
ing out SO much money TO the Indians il
payment for their lands, and alluded par
ticularly to the claim of the Greek Indians
now before Congress. for lands taken by the
Government, without pay. by the treaty
of Fort jackson in 1914.
1t thas been the constant practice of the Gov
ernment to indemnify the Indians for their
lands. Commissioning the fate of the red
race. Congress has ever acknowledged the
obligation of giving them an equivalent in
money and lands for the possessions of which
they have been deprived. In the present
/ 4. L I M