Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1857-03-13

cNehb, no FORM OF government, however /
in itself, and however produc-
tive of material benefits, can compensate
for the loss of peace and domestic secu-
rity around the family altar, Let every
Union-loving man, therefore, exert his
best influence to suppress this agitation,
which, since the recent legislation Of
Congress, is without any legitimate OBJ
jcct.
1t is an evil omen of the times that
men have undertaken to calculate the
mere material value of the Union. Rea-
soned estimates have been presented of
the pecuniary profits and local advan-
tages which would result to different
States and sections from its dissolution,
and of the comparative injuries which
such an event would inAict on other
States and sections. Even descending to
this low and narrow view of the mighty
question, all sucn calculations are at fault
The bare reference to single considera-
ton will be conclusive on this point
We at present enjoy a free trade through
out 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 West of our
confederacy. Annihilate this trade, ar
rest its free progress by the geographical
lines of jealous and hostile States, and
you destroy the prosperity and onward
march of the whole and every part, and
involve all in one common ruin. But
such considerations, important as they
are III themselves, sink into insignifcance
when we reflect on the terrific evils which
would result FROM disunion to every por-
ton Of the confcderacy-to the North
not more than to the South, to the East
not more than to the West. These !
shall not attempt to portray; because |
feel an humble confidence that the Provi-
dence which inspired our fathers with
wisdom to frame the most perfect form of
government and Union ever devised by
man will not suffer it to perish until it
shall have been peacefully instrumental,
by its example, in the extension of civil
ard religious liberty throughout the
world.
Next in Importance to the mainte-
nance of the constitution and the Union
is the duty Of preserving the govern
ment free from the faint, or even the
suspicion Of corruption. Public virtue
is the vital spirit of republics; and his
tory proves that when this has dccayed
and the love of money has usurped its
place, although the formsof FREQ govern
nent may remain for a season, the sub
stance has departed forever.
Our present financial condition is with
out parallel in history. No nation has
ever before been embarrassed from too
large a surplus in its treasury. This
almost necessarily gives birth to extrava-
giant Legislation. ltproduces wild schemes
of expenditure, and begets race of spec
ulators and jobbers, whose ingenuity is
exerted in contriving and promoting ex-
pedionts to obtain public money. The
purity of official agents, whether right
fully Or wrongfully, is suspected, and the
character Of the government suffers in
the estimation of the people. This is in
itself a very great evil.
The natural mode Of relief from this
embarrassment is to appropriate the sur
plus in the treasury to great national OBJ
jects, for which clear warrant can be
found in the constitution. Among these
! might mention the cxtinguishment of
the public debt, reasonable increase of
the navy, which is at present inadequate
to the protection Of our vast tonnage
ahoat, now greater than that Of any other
nation, as well as TO the defence of our
extended sea-coast
IL is beyond all question the true prin-
ciplo that no more revenue ought to be
collected from the people tbanthc amount
necessary to defray the expenses of a
wise, economical and efficient administra-
ton Of the government. TO reach this
point it was necessary 10 resort to mod
ification Of the tariff, and this has, trust,
been accomplished in such a manner as
to do as little injury as may have been
practicable to our domestic manufactures.
especially those necessary for the defence
Of the country. Any discrimination
against a particular branch, for the pur-
pose Of bcnefting favored corporations,
individuals, or interests, would have been
unjust to the rest Of the community and
inconsistent with that spirit Of fairness
and equality which ought to govern in
in the adjustment Of revenue tariff.
But the squandering Of the public
money sinks into comparative insignif-
cance as a temptation TO corruption when
compared with the squandering Of the
public lands.
No nation in the tide of time has ever
been blessed with 50 rich and noble an
inheritance as we enjoy in the public
lands. In administering this important
trust, whilst it may be wise 10 grant por-
tons Of them for the Improvement Of the
remainder, yet we should never forget
that it is our cardinal policy to reserve
these lands, as much as may be, for
actual settlers, and this at moderate
prices We shall thus not only best
promote the prosperity of the new States
and Territories by furnishing them
hardy and independent race Of honest
and industrious citizens, but shall secure
homes for our children and our children's
as well as for those oxilos from
foreign shores who may seek in this
country to improve their condition, and
10 enjoy the blessings Of civil and rcli-
gious liberty. Such emigrants have done
much to promote the growth and pros