The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-04-11


OF pubic none public lands for the exclusive benefit
Aru.aiar districts OF countrysuch railroad corpo
atoms for examplewhich the peculiar pets Of
legislation especially in Congress Independently Of all
constitutional objections II cannot think be questioned
that these donations of what belongs equally ALL to
particular portion Of the people operate partially and
equally and all directly tend monopoly the Alpha and
Omega Of all bad government They enable one section
State community run ahead of the others; they
concentrate single line that travel aud transportation
hitherto diused through various channels creating
wholesome activity everywhere they degrade industrious
farmers into restless SPECTATORS and injurious
the general health of the body polite arrangement in
the circulation Of the blood to the human frame Those
aulucky portions of State community which are too
to share in this geat public benefit is called
must either begging bribng for similar boon,
to the log rolling ysteu remain tagging behind
content with the advantages bestowed them by Nature
and Providence.
Nothing is di6calt not to say impossible in legs-
10 confer benefits portion of State or commu-
nifty without either directly indirectly inurng some
other Almost invariably in relieving from burden
shift il the shoulders Of another and Of all the
Representatives, Of this crossgrsiued world that Of do
I~
ticable Thus while Regulating for the benefit of the
consumer iujuring the producer who in process
of time win appeal the Legislature for relief as is the
custom in Great Britain, whose history nothing but
perpetual struggle between the commercial manufacturing
and landed interests and thus legislation goes on see
saving like pendulum backwards and forwards in the
vain attempt to balance conflicting interests hst can never
be econced and adjust the DEGREES of Providence by
the inable standard Of the wisdom Of Congress Would
it be objectionable to suggest that it might be some
times advisable to 1Let alone and leave the troubled
waters Of life do those of the ocean, find their
through the operation Of the great law of action and
| reaction? Not all the wisdom, wit or power of man
evade this law the force Of these great uni
verss that constitute tho instruments Of the Om-
npo,ent in governing the universe
The conclusion draw from this view OF the subject s
the world in its approaches perfectiby sometimes
advances like crab backwards and that great reformers
AMI pbilantbropss often very mischievous persons
They in much Of a hurry they see but one
thing at time and lose sight of the great truth e1emp
feel by past experience that all salutay reforms destined
kind, are slow in their growth, and long in coming to
maturity They cannot be struck out at single heat
they generated in the bosom Of socey and nurured
the progress of the human mind they require no fore
ing process and all attempts bring them to premature
maturity by cobbling and tinkering legislation only
to reard their growth or produce reaction Ardent
zealos meddlesome busybodies smtten with itch
ing desire to achieve that ninedays notoety which little
men mistake for lasting fame, determined to become
great benectos of the world in spite of its teeth are like
uoskiu surgeons who probe the before it comes to
head and thus only prepare the way for and more
DainfII path of II 10 hy ~
impairment interference of meddling in precpitang
great reforms that they have almost always been
panied by civil discussion aud bloody revolutions What
called the Reformation did not originate with Martin
Luther 1t had been ra.uring for ceuturie Yet even
thus maued it cost the lives Of millions and convused
world. Might not venture to ask If this did not
arise from taking it into his cumsy hands and push
log it against wind and tide instead Of leaving it to the
| wisdom of bis Maker7
But to return to immediate subject This spe-
ca legislation this discretionary distribution of legislative
Blooms under preenee of administering the general well
fare" 10 fruitful oflegislave corruption All spe-
cla grants of money lands privileges are worth buy
ing, and will assuredy be bought they cannot be obtain
ed by political influence dextrous intrigue Whore s-
gsative bodies cam by single act place millions of money
or milions Of land at the disposal of combine
tion ofa limited number Of individuals to be disposed of
for their special benefit from which they expect to de-
rive great advsntageswhere, in fact they become the
grand almoners for the distribution of charity pau
pers but Dilonares it must be obvious they will be sub
eced to grisvous temptations. Those who exercise the
greatest political influence most dextrous in The
mysteries Of intrigue and most especially those who
| are willing TO pay highest, will uniformly be success
full In the great scramble for srecial boons special
benefitp and specaI priveges and immuuities The
legislator will be assailed by those artfnl
monty called lobby members, adopts in all the mys
teres of corruptop who carrion further than
turkey buzzard hunt game with the instinct of setter
smell frail member with all the certainty Of Free
Mason aknownothipg and flor eIampe) dispose Of
thousand dollars to philanthropc editor with such
matchless dextery that be himself does know what il
was for what has become of it. These vermin
utterly uukpoS in the body polite until the advent of
special legislation, and its progeny of corruption but
to about Legislative bodies like crows
round rotten carcass.
The power of giving awsy the common fund
property of the people without substantial equva-
lent which be estimated by precise rule of
mec has not been expressly incidentally conferred by
the constitution either Congress the State legisla-
lures. is dangerous powers power inevitably lead
ing great abuses and great corruption seen
in late memorable instance which bias Inflicted an inde
ble stain the fair fame of the republic II ia equally in
;pro