The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-01-11

though far less severe Than in other parts of
the country. Her partial escape, il ia belize
we'd, is mainly owing to her prudent and re-
striclive policy in the use of bank credit. Ii
e, at least, very clear, that had theftee, or
stock-banking plan, at one time so zea!ously
advocated, been adopted in this State, or had
our present system been greatly expanded,
the position OF affairs in our commercial
metropolis would not have been SO favora-
able as a, present. Had the natural ienden-
cy TO speculation receivedthis artificial stim.
lent--the limits Of safety, like the lessons ol
experience, would have been passed uu-
needed as It is, some good men, in the
pursuits of useful enterprises, have been
prostraled. 1t is most unfortunate, that un-
der this influence, all mus, suffer alike.
Those who profit least by the expansion, are
often affected most by the contraction.
I lis is respectfully The case with labor, which
is uniformly the last 10 be elevated in times
of prosperity, and the first 10 60 down in
those ofdepression. The banks as a general
rule, make the most out of these convul-
sions- His often their error 10 flatler the
mereb ant and trader when the tide Of pros
Peritysuns high, and 10 forske him on The
first appearance of is ebbing. Even sound
banks and Of good repute, it is said are seek
ing 10 make money out of the present crisis.
BY sharing their capital and its benefits with
brokers and jobbers, instead of aiding the
business community a, legitimate rates
How far these allegations are warranted, it
is difficult 10 decide but il is 10 be hoped
that few, if any of our banks are Justly liable
TO this charge, tor such a practice would be
highly improper, and well calculated TO ex-
cite dsconien! Such legitimate business
would demand prompt remedy at your
hands. Il may be difficult 10 coufne these
institutions 10 their proper business, with
the prospec, OF better profits in other guar.
iers but they should be made 10 feel that
they have been created for higher purpose
than merely TO enrich the stockholders
The crisis is u3ing one; but there is
still reason 10 hope that the credit and trade
of the country will never suffer as much as
il has done on similar occ isions in time past.
There is now no National Bank to mislead
the mercantile class, and to embarass the
commerce which it pfofessed 10 aid. Still
the shock will De great enough TO lead the
public mind 10 enquire after remedy from
these penodical convuIsious. And, surely,
we may be permiued to hope, that the good
sense of the people will never again be i'm
posed upon by these crude experiments
which have, on some former occasions so
fearfully aggravated The evils they were in
tended TO remedy. Respectfully advise the
General Assembly against all such expert
ments. The remedy 10 be permanent, must
be natural one artificial means may add
TO present arrangements, but cannot correct
them. An extensive increase OF bansins
capital aud other expedisnis will doubtless,
be pressed n1on ycur attention; but II IS
hoped that no such fallacy may find favor
Nor is there any sufficient reason for the "a
larm and sepsiliveness manifested in GER
tain quarters; the real worth Of the county
still exists, and the natural elements OF pros
peri,y are no less than heretofore Il is the
shadow not the substance that is passing a
way. The business community should look
the danger brayelv in the face, and by their
energy, honesty and enterprise, overcome it.
Mutual confidence and forbearance should
be cherished by all, as means OF accom-
plishing this desirable end.
III accordance with the provisions of
law passed ir April last, vote of the peo-
plo was taken, at the October election, on
the policy OF prohibiting the manufacture
and sale of intoxicating liquors 1854
votes were cast in favor of the measure, and
16s, $40 votes against it.
The proper regulation of this subject great.
ly concerns the moral welfare oil the people,
and for that reason will claim your anxious
consideration. Perhaps no other moral ques
tion within the range Of your authority, so
deeply interested the people Of every class,
race and condition: Indeed, the immoder.
ate use of intoxicating drinks is an evil tina,
has left its mark in every viciuage. Its pro-
gress, fortunately, has been steadily resisted
by individuals and societies, who have EN-.
ployed the power of truth and reason against
i These efforts have done much, and may
do more hereafter to mitigate the evil
Avoiding all vexations encroachments upon
the rights and privileges of every citizen,
there is clearly no reason why the influence
of we'll designed Law, regulating and re-
straining the sale Of intoxicating liquors,
should not be bought to the aid of these
individual efforts Although the vote OF
the people would seem to indicate their
aversion to the particular measure Of reform
proposed, it is not to be inferred, for that
reason they are averse to all attempts at
reformation. Such an inferance, am con-
fident, would not be true reflection of
their sentiments. So far from this, they
acknowledge the existence Of the evil and
the necessity of proper reTidies. Our pre-
sent license laws, to this end, might, in my
opinion, be usefully revised-the object of
sach revision being to lessen the vice of in.
temperance. That those laws need such
revision, is conceded. So far as relates to
the city of Philadelphia, they are peculiarly
prejudicial to public morals, and seem to