True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-11

slave and TO the whole country. 1t has
alensted and eStranged the people Of the
sister States from each other and has
even seriously endangered the very exis-
tence Of the Union
Nor has the danger yet entirely ceased.
Under our system there is remedy for
all mere political evils in the sound sense
and sober judgment of the people. Time
is a great corrective. Political subjects
which buta few years ago excited and
exasperated the public mind have passed
away and are now nearly forgotten. But
this question of domestic slavery is of far
graver Importance than any mere polid-
cal question, because, should the agita-
ton continue, it may eventually endanger
the personal safety of a large portion Of
our countrymen where the institution ex-
lists. In that event no form Of govern
ment, however admirable in itself, and
however productive of material benefits,
can compensate for the family altar. Let
every Union-loving man, therefore, exert
his best iulluence to suppress this agita-
tion, which, since the recent legislation Of
Congress, is without any legitimate OBJ
ject,
1t is an evil omen of the times that men
have undertaken 10 calculate the mere ma
terial value of the Union. Reasoned es-
Inmates have beeR presented of the Pc
cuniary profits and local advantages which
would result TO the 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 10 this low and narrow
view of the mighty question, all such CAL
culatons are at fault. The bare refer
ence TO a single consideration will be
conclusive on this point. We at present
enjoy a free trade throughout our extern
sive and expanding country, such as the
world never Witnessed. The trade is
conducted on railroads and canals--on
noble rivers and arms oft the sea-which
bind together the North and the So nth,
the East and the West of our confedera-
cy:
Annhilate this trade, arrest its free
progress by the geographical lines Of
jealous and hostile States, and you des-
troy the prosperity and onward march of
the whole and every part, and involve all
in one common ruin. But such cOnsid-
erations, important as they are in them
selves, sink into insignifcance when we
reflect on the terrific evils which would
result from disunion to every portion OF
the confederacy-to the North not more
than to the South, to the East not more
than to the West. These | shall not al
tempt 10 portray, because feel an hum
bic confidence that the kind Providence
which inspired our fathers wisdom tc
frame the most perfect form of govern
ment and Union ever devised by mar
will not suffer it to perish until it shal
have been peacefully instrumental, by its
example in the extension of civil and re-
ligious liberty throughout the world.
Next in importance to the maintenance
of the constitution and the Union is the
duty of preserving the government from
the taut, or even the suspicion, of corrup
ton. Public virtue is the vital spirit o
republics and history proves that whel
this has decayed and the love of none.
has usurped its. place, although the form
: of free government may remain for a sea
son, the substance has departed forever.
Our present financial condition is with
out a parallel in history. No nation ha
l ever before been embarrassed from TOT
r large a surplus in its treasury. This al
most necessarily gives birth to eXtrava
/ CANT legislation, ItprOduces wild scheme
= of expenditure, and begets race of spec
n ulators and jobbets, whose ingenuity i
# exerted in conlriving ard promoting ex
! pedients to obtain public money. Th
purity of official agents, whether rghtfu
e y or wronglully, is suspected, and tn
c character of the government suffers in tn
: estimation of the people. This is IN j
r self very great evil.
l. The natural mode of relief from thi
= embarrassment is to appropriate the SUI
s. plus in the treasury to great national OF
IS ects, for which clear warrant can
e found in the constiution.-Among theE
1t l might mention the eXtinguishment
3 the public debt, reasonable increase
the navy, which is at present inadequa
d to the protection of our vast tonna!
a ahoat, now greater than that Of any oth'
1r nation. as we'll as to the defence Of OF
extended seacOast.
lie 1t is beyond all question the true pril
a cipe that no more revenue ought to
e. collected from the people than the amou
I'd necessary to defray the expenses of
g, wise, economical and efficient adminstr
ID ton of the government. 10 reach II
in point it was necessary to resort TO
nj modification of the tariff, and this has,
e, trust, been accomplished in such ma
al ner as to do as little injury as may ha
as been practicable to our domestic man
en- Iactures, especially those necessary to t
r. defense Of the country. Any discrimir
a tion against particular branch, for
on purpose of beneftting favored corporate
as individuals. or interests, would have be
NJ unjust to the rest of the community, a
NJ inconsistent with the spirit of lairn'
n and equality which ought TO govern
es- the adjustment Of a revenue tariff.
his But the squandering of the pub
be money sinks into comparative insign
I'd, cance as temptation to corruption WI
he compared with the squandering of
gn public lands.
ny No nation in the tide of time has e
'ti- been blessed with so rich and noble