The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-03-11

aEtt"tloH, WHICH, sii!CG tbc tCCeuH NStoio-
tion Of Congress, is without any legitimate
object
l. is an evil omen of the times that
men have undertaken to calculate the
more material value Of the Uniou.-
Reasoned estimates have been presented
of the pecuniary profits and local advan-
tages which would result to different States
aud sections from it's dissolution, and Of
the comparative injuries which such an
event would uflict on other States and
sections Even descending to this low
and narrow view Of the mighty question,
all such calculations arc at fault The
bare reference to single consideration
will be conclusive on this point. We at
present enjoy free-trade throughout our
extensive and expanding country such as
the world has never witnessed. This
trade is conducted on railroads and canals,
on noble rivers and arms Of the sea, which
bind together the North and the South,
the East and the West Of our Confederacy.
Annhilate this trade, arrest its free pro-
gress hy the geographical lines of jealous
and hostile States ard you destroy the
prosperity and onward march Of the whole
and every part, and involve all iii one
common ruin. But such considerations,
important as they are in themselves, sink
into i,isisniicance when we reflect on the
terrific evils which would result from dis
union to every portion of the Confedcracy
to the North not mere than to the
South, to the East not more than to the
West These ! shall not attempt to por-
!tray, because / fell an humble confidence
! that the kind Providence which inspired
our fathers with wisdom to frame the NEST
perfect form of government and union
ever devised by man will not suffer 1t to
perish until il shaL have been peacefully
instrumental, hy its example in the exten-
sion of civil and religious liberty through
out the world
Next in importance to the maintenance
of the Constitution and the Union is the
duty of preserving the Government free
from the faint or even the suspicion OF
corruption. Public virtue is the vital
spirit Of Republics; and history proves
that when this has decayed, and the love
Of money has usurped its place, although
for season, the substance has departed
forever.
= Our present financial condition is with
out parallel in history. No nation has
ever before been embarrassed FROM toe
; large surplus in its treasury. This al
most necessarily gives birth to extravagan'
legislation. 1t produces wild schemes ol
expenditure, and begets race of specu
lators and jobhers whose ingenuity is ex
erted in contriving and promoting eXpedi
ents to obtain public money. The purit.
: of official agents, whether rightfully ol
wrongfuly, is suspected and the charac
u ter of the Government suffers in the esti
nation of the people. This is in itself
very great evil.
The natural mode of relief from thi
embarrassment is to appropriate the sur
/ plus III the Treasury to great national Oh
: iects for which clear warrant can h
''' found in the Constitution. Among thes
l. | light mention the eXtingn!shment of tn
} public debt; reasonable increase OF th
~" navy, which is at present inadequate t
+ the protection of onr vast tonnage ahoa
II now greater than that of any other nation
=" as we'll as to the defence cf our eXtende
~ seacoaSt
- 1t is beyond all question the true prii
:. ciple that no more revenue ought to /
, collected from the people than thelamonr
:. necessary to defray the expenses of a wis
economical, and efficient administration
=. the Government. To reach this point
- was necessary to resort to a modifcatio
= Of the tariff; and this has, | trust, bee
a. as little injury as may have been pract
cable to our domestic manufactures, esp
-, cially those necessary for the defense
- !, the country. Amy discrimination again
a. particular branch for the purpose
y henefting favored corporations, indiyl'
to the rest of the community and ineo
L sistent with that spirit Of fairness al
al equality which ought to govern in the a.
CO justment of revenue tariff
IN bub tEc SNuaHutiliS vi tiio pun
~ money sinks into comparative insight
- eance as temptation toacorrnption whs
of compared with the squandering of Il
y public lands. No nation in the tide 5
:. time has ever been blesSed.with SO rich aI
- noble an inheritance as VIZ enjoy in ii
!, public lands. In administering this in
:. portant trust, whilst it may be wise
i, grant portions of them for the improv
;,f ment of the remainder yet we should ney
=. forget that it is our cardinal policy 10 r
s, Eserve these landssas much may besf
- actual settlers, and this at moderate price
~ We shall thus not only best promote Il
= prosperity of the new States and Territ
i, ries by furnishing chem hardy and ind
- pendent race of honest and industrio
: citizens, but shall secure homes for o.
ehildren aud onr ehilaren's children,
!. well as for chose exiles from foreign shor
- who may seek in this country to impco
"a their condition and to enjoy the blessing
. Eef civil and religious liberty. Such en-