Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-03-11

greates Importance than any mere poIit;-
cal question, because, should the agita-
ton continue. it msY eventually endan-
ger the personal safety of a large portion
OF u couutrymen where the institution
exists. In that event no form Of govern
ment, however admissible in itself-how-
ever productive of material bene6ts-can
compensate for the loss of peace and do.
nestle security around the family altar.
Let every Union loving man therefore
exert his best influence to suppress the
agitation which, since the recent legisla-
ton OF Congress. is withou. any legiti-
mate object. 1t is an evil of the times
that men have undertaken to calculate
the mere material value of the Union.
Recent estimates have been presented
OF the pecuniary profits and local adyan-
tages which would result to different
States and sections from its dissolution,
Of the comparative injuries which such
an event would in6ict on other States
and sections; Notwithstanding to this low
and narrow view Of the mighty question.
All such calculation are at fault. The
bare reference to . single consideration
vtl be conclusive on this point, We at
present enjoy a free trade throughout our
extensive and expansive country, such
as the world never witnessed. This trade
is conducted on Railroads and Canals.
on the noble rivers and arms Of the sea
which bind together the North and the
South, the East and the West of our con
federacy. Annihilate this trade, arrest
the progress by geographical lines Of jeal-
u 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 considera-
tons. important ashley are 10 themselves.
sink into insigni6esuce when we reflect
OF the terrific evils which would result
from disunion to every portion OF the con-
federacy. 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 conf
dence that the kind Providence which in
spired our fathers with wisdom to frame
the most perfect form of government and
MO ever devised by man, will not suf-
fer it to perish until it shall have been
peacefully instrumental by its example in
the extension of civil and religious liberty
tbrougout he world.
Next in Importance to the maintain.
snce OF the Constitution and the Union
is the duly Of preserving government free
from the faint or even suspicion of cor
ruption. Public virtue is the vital spirit
Of Republics, and history proves that when
this has d~ecayed. and the love of money
las usurped its place. although the forms
Of free government may remain for a
season. the substance has departed forev-
er. Our present financial condition is
without a parallel in history. No nation
has ever before been embarrassed from
too large a surplus in its treasury. This
almost necessarily gives birth to extrav-
agaut legislation. 1t produces wild
schemes Of expenditures. and begets a
race Of spectators and jobbers. whose
ingenuity is exerted in conuiving and
promoting e~zpedients to obtain the public
money. Party through its official agents.
whether rightfully or wrongfully, is sus.
pected: and the character Of he govern
ment suffers in the estsmation of the pee-
ple. This is in itself very great evil
The National mode of relief from embar-
rassment. is TO appropriate the serplus in
the treasury to great national objects for
which a clear warrant can be found in
the Constitution. Among these | might
mention the extinguishment of the pub
lie d, bt, a reasonable increase Of the Ma
Wy. which is at present inadequate to the
protection Of our vast tonnage afloat, now
than that OF any other nation, as
well as the defense Of our extended sea
coast.
1t is beyond all question the true prin-
ciple that no more revenue ought to be
collected from the people, than the al
mount necessary TO defray the expenses
Of a wise, economical and efficient ad.
ministration of the Government. To
reach this, it was necessary to resort to
a modification Of the tariff, and this has
been accomplished in such a manner to
10 as little injury as may have been
practicable to our domestic msnufac-
lures, especially those necessary for the
~iefence of the country. Any discrim-
nation against a particular branch for
he purpose of beneGtting f~avorite corpc-
individuals or interests, would
nave been unjust to the rest of the
aud inconsistent with that
,pirit of fairness and equality which
to govern in the adjustment Of a
eyenue tariff. |
But the squandering Of the public
money sinks into comparative insignid-
lance as atcmptation to corruption, when
compared with the squandering of the
lands.
No nation in the tide Of time has ever
been blessed with SO rich and noble an
Inheritance as we enjoy in the Public
Lands. In administering tins important
rust whilst it may be wise to grant por-
ions Of them for the improvement of
be remainder, yet we should never for
ret that it is our cardinal policy to re-
erye these lands as much as may be for
Ictual settlers, and this at a moderate
We shall thus not only best pro
note the prosperity of the new States
y furnishing them a hardy and indie
race of honest and industrious
but shall secure homes for our
hildren and u childrens' children, as
rell as for those exiled from Foreign
hOres who may seek IN this country to
improve their condition and to enjoy the
Of civil and religious liberty
'uch emigrants have done much TO pro
note The growth and prosperity of the
ounlry. They have proved faithful
18th in peace and in war. After beeom
ng citizens they are entitled under the
Constitution and laws to be placed on a
erfect equality with native born citizens
nd in this character hey should ever be
indy recognized.
The Federal Constitution Is n grant