Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-07-04

lure Of such force they knew that Il
would b. peculiarly calculated 10 pro.
iect our shores from foreign invasions,
and 10 make us respected by the ma
| lions OF the world; without, like a
standing army. endangering our liber-
ties, II was also forseen by them.
that, without q navy, our commerce
would be exposed. ase rich tempta-
ton, TO the avarice Of all nations; and,
In consequence Of our weakness, we
would be subjected TO constant insults
and Injuries upon The ocean. without
the power OF resistance. II had, there
fore. been their policy gradually TO
erecta navy. and they had built n
great number OF vessels at the time
when the first Democratic administra-
ton came into power.
At that moment the scene changed.
They had promised the people an ex-
rmption from taxes. and unless they
could perform. their popularity was 10
danger. They did not hesitate what
course to pursue. They Immediately
sold our national ships---they disarm.
cd the country and invited injustice
and insult from abroad. that they
might not be under the necessity Of
imposing trihing tax, and thereby
injuring their popularity at home.
Thanks be TO Providence, the delu-
sion upon this subject has vanished.
and their conduct now appears 10 It's
proper light before the public. The
little remnant Of that navy. which had
been fondly cherished by Washington
and his adherents. but which was de-
spised by the patriots Of the present
day, has risen triumphant above lie
enemies at home. and has made the
proud mistress Of the ocean tremble.
The people are now convinced that a
navy Is their best defence.
The Democratic Administration next
declared war against Commerce.
They were not satistied with drpriving
II Of the protection Of Navy. but they
acted rs though they had determined
upon lie annihiation. AT q time when
the nations Of Europe were convulsed
by dreadful wars. the United States
being neutral-and when. In conse.
quence thereof ell our native produc-
lions were In greatest demand, aud
the carrying trade presented to our
merchants = rich harvest in every
quarter Of the globe. they shut up our
ports BY embargoes and non-im?o,ta-
tion laws.
BY these means. the streams OF
wealth. which were lowing into our
national treasury and into our country,
from the thousand fountains OF com
merce. were suddenly dried up. These
acts OF parricidegave an instantaneous
and q dreadful blow TO our prosperity.
The voice u business was no longer
heard In our cities. The stiffness OF
death peryaded every street. DJec.
ton and despair sat upon each mans
countenance. The newspapers Of the
day. instead OF being filed with arm.
walls from abroad. and sales of mer.
chandise, teemed with bankruptcies.
And cur ships were LAID up TO rot. rs
melancholy monuments OF THE
WEAK AND WICKED policy ofour
government.
Who that had witnessed these
things. cannot observe the hand Of the
Corsican despot. like that dreadful
hand upon the wall Of the Babylonish
monarch, writing our destruction
Who can avoid believing that Bona
psrle was the source OF this policy.
and that II was intended TO operate in
unison with his continental system. II
might perhaps be unwarantable to as
sert that our administration were ac-
tually corrupted by France: but that
their politics were biased by a warm
and improper partiality for that coun-
try. there can be no doubt.
Time will not allow me to enumer-
ate all the other wild and wicked pro-
jects of the Democratic administration
Suffice TO say, that after they had de-
prived us OF the means OF defense, by
destroying our navy and disbanding
our army; after they had taken away
from US the power Of recreating them.
by running commerce. the great source
Ct our national and individual wealth;
after they had. by refusing the bank
Of Lbe United States continuation Of
its charter, embarrassing the financial
concerns OF the Government. and with
drawn the only universal paper medi-
um Of the country from circulation;
after thepeople had become upaccus-
toned 10, and Of course, unwilling 10
bear taxation; and without money in
the Treasury, they rashly plunged in
to war with n nation more able TO
do US injury than any other in the
world. What was the dreadful ne
cessiiy for this desperate measured
Was our conntry invaded? No. Were
our liberties in danger? No. Was Il
to protect our little remaining CON-
merce from the injuries sustained by
the orders in council? No. Com.
mcrce was not such favo,ite. and the
merchants wished for no war on that
account.
Besides. II the existence Of the or.
ders in council had been its true cause,
after their repeal. our country would
have accepted the olive branch which
was offered by England. What then
was the cause? The one for which
we professed TO draw the sword and
risk our all. was to determine an mb.
s,ract question Of the law Of nations,
concerning which. an opinion different
from that Of our administration was
held by all Europe. To decide
whether man can expatriate himself
or not. In the decision Of this ques-
tioa our administration pretended to
feel deep interest. THE GREATER
PART OF THOSE FOREIGNERS,
WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED BY
IT. HAD LONG BEEN THEIR
EARNEST FRIENDS. THEY HAD
BEEN ONE OF THE GREAT
! MEANS or ELEVATlNG THE
PRESENT (DEMOCRATAC) RU.
A nrsU xnATrv n,