Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-03-14

times that men have undertaken to calcu-
late the mere material value Of The unien
Reasoned estimates have been presented
of The pecuniary profits and local adyanta-
GEES which would result to different States
and sections from its dissolution, and of
the comparative injuries which such an
event would inflict ON other States and
sections. Even descending to this low and
narrow view of the mighty question, all
such calculations are at fault. The bare
reference to a single consideration will be
conclusive on this point. We at present
enjoy free trade throughout our extern
sive and expansive country, such as the
world never witnessed. This trade is
conducted on railroads and canals, on
noble rivers and arms of the sea, which
bind together the North and tho South,
the East and the West of our confederacy
Annihilate this trade, arrest its free pro-
gress 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
as they are in themselves. sink
into insignifcance when we reflect on the
terrific evils which would result from dis
dnsylI = q every portion of the confeder-
acy-to the North more than to the
South-to the East not more than % ttrs
West. These shall not attempt to por-
tray, because feel an humble confidence
that the kind Providence 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 extern
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 oil
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
the forms of free government may remain
for season, the substance has departed
forever.
Our present financial condition is with
out a parallel in history. No nation has
ever before been embarrassed from too
large surplus in its treasury This al
most necessarily gives birth to cxtrava-
giant Legislation. Itproduces wild schemes
of expenditures, and begets race OF
spectators and jobbers, whose ingenuity
is exerted in contriving and promoting
expedients to obtain the public money.
The party, through its official agents,
whether rightfully or wrongfully, is sus.
pected, and the character of the govern.
ment suffers in the estimation of the PEG.
pie. This is in itself very great evil
The national mode of relief from this EN-.
barassment is to appropriate the surplus
In the treasury to great national objects
for which clear warrant can be found
in the constitution. Among these might
mention the extinguishment of the public
debt; reasonable increase OF the navy,
which is at present inadequate to the pro-
lection of our vast tonnage afloat--now
greater than that of any other nation--as
well as the defence of our extended sea
coast
It is, beyond all question the true prin-
e6tee ts TIA Aerf bP rfafHht, fo hf
necessary to defray the expenses of wise
economical and efficient administration o
the government. To reach this point i
was necessary to resort to modification
of the tariff, and this has been accom-
plished in such a manner as to do us a,
little injury as may have been practicable
to our domestic manufactures, especially
those necessary for the defence of The
country. Any discrimination against .
peculiar branch for the purpose Of bene
fitting favored corporations, individual.
or interests would have been unjust t.
the rest of the community, and inconsist
ent with that fairness and equality which
ought to govern in the adjustment of ;
revenue tariff.
But the squandering of the publ,
money sinks into insignificance, as /,
temptation to corruption, when compared
with the squandering Of the public lands
No nation in the tide of time. has eve
been blessed with SO rich and so noble al
inheritance as we enjoy in the publ,
lands. In administering this importan
trust, whilst it may be wise TO grant4por
tons of them for the improvement of tn,
remainder yet we should never forge
that it is our cardinal policy to reserv,
these lands, as much as may be, for actua
settlers, and this at moderate prices. W.
shall thus not only best promote the pros
perity of the new States by furnishing an
independent race of hardy, honest and in.
dustrious citizens, but shall secure home.
for our children and our children's chill.
dren, as well as for those exiles from for
eign shores who may seek in this country
to improve their condition, and to enjoy
the blessings Of civil and religious liberty
Such emigrants have done much to pro.
mote the growth AND prosperity of the
country. They have proved faithful both
in peace and war. After becoming citi-
zcns, they arc entitled, under the Consti-
tuition and laws, to be placed on perfect
equality with native born citizens, and in
this character they should ever be kindly
recognized. The federal Constitution
- n Grant from, the States to Conurass ri