The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-03-19

and domestic security around the family altar.
Let every Union-loving man, therefore, exert
his best influence to suppress this agitation,
which, since the recenti Legislation Of Congress,
is without any legitimate object II is an evil
of the times that men have undertaken to cal
culate the mere material value of the Union
Reasoned estimates have been presented OF
the pecuniary profits and local advantages
which would result to different States and
sections from its dissolution, and Of the CON-
parative injuries which such an event would
infiict on other States and sections. Even de-.
scending to this low and narrow view of the
mighty question, all such calculations are at
fault. The bare reference to single consid-
GRAFTON will be conclusive on this point. ,5
We at present enjoy free trade throughout
our country, such as the world never witness
ed. This trade is conducted on railroads and
canals, on noble rivers ard arms Of the sea,
which bind together the North and the South,
the East and the West Of our Confederacy
Annihilate this trade, arrest its free progress
by the geographical lines Of jealou. and hos
tile States, and y,u destroy the prosperity and
onward march Of the whole and every part,
and involve all in one common ruin. aaN a.
But such considerations, important as they
are in Themselves, sink into significance when
we reflect on the terrific evils which would re-
suit fror, disunion to every portion Of the
Confedcracy-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
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 extension Of civil and religious liberty
throughout the world.
Next in Importance to the maintenance Of
the Constitution and The Union is the duty Of
preserving the Government free from the taInt
or even the suspicion Of corruption Public
virtue is the vital spirit of Republics, and his
tory proves that when this has decayed and the
love Of money has usurped its place, although
the forms Of free government may remain for q
season, the Substance has departrd forever
Our present financial condition is without a
PARALLEL in history. No nation has ever before
been embarrassed from too large surplus nits
Treasury. This almost necessarily gives birth
10 extravagant legislation. ii produces wild
schemes of expenditures and begets race of
spectators and johbers whose ingenuity is ex-
cited in contriying and promoting expedients
to obtain the public money. The party, through
its Official agents, whether rightfully orwrong.
fully, is suspected, and the charter Of the Gov
ernment suffers in the estimation of the people.
This is in itself very great evil. The natu-
raj mode Of relief from this embarrassment is
to appropriate the surplus in the Treasury to
great national objects for which c lear war
rant can be founG in the Constitution. Among
these, might mention the .extiDguishment Of
the public debt, reasonable increase OF the
Navy, which is at present inadequate to the
protection Of our vast tunnage ahoat--row
greater than that Of any other nation, as well
% the defense of our extended sea coast. II
10 beyond all question the true principle that
20 more revenue ought to be collected from
the people than the amount necessary to de-
fray the expenses Of wise economical and ef-
fcient Administration Of the Government
To reach this point it was necessary 60 resor,
to modification Of the tariff, and :his has
been accomplished in such manner to do as
little injury as may have been practicable to
our domestic manufactures, especially those
necessary for the defense Of the country. Any
discrimination againsta particular branch for
the purpose Of benefting favored corporations,
individuals, or. interest, would have been un.
Just to the rest Of the community. and incon
sistent with that spirit of fairness and equal
ty, which ought to govern in the adjustmen
OF a revenue tariif--but the squsndering Of the
public money sinks into comparative insigni6
eance, as temptation to corruption, wher
compared to the squandsring Of the public
lands. . ss.... y,
No nation in the tide Of time has ever bee,
blessed with so rich and noble an inheritanc,
q we enjoy in the public lands. In admins.
tsring this important trust, while it may b.
4
wise to grant portions Of them for the improve,
ment Of the remainder, yet we, should neve,
forget that it 10 our cardinal policy to reserve
these lands as much as may be for actual set
tiers, and this at moderate prices. We shal
thus not only best promote the property Of th,
new States, by furnishing them hardy aud
independent race Of honestsand industrioa,
citizens, but shall secure homes for our chil
dren and our children's children, as well as To-
those exiles from foreign shores who may seel
in this country to improve their condition an1
to enjoy the blessings Of civil and religion
liberty. Such emigrabts have done much t
promote the growth and prosperity Of tn,
country. They have proved faithful both il
peace and in war; After becoming citizens
they are entitled, under the Constitutions an,
laws, TO be placed on perfect equality will
native-born citizens, and in this character the.
should ever be kindly recognized.
The Federal Constitution il 4 grant from
the States to Congress to certain specific pow
ers, anI the question whether his grant shall
be literally or strictly construed, has, raore 0
less, divided political parties from the begin
mag. Without entering into tie argument,
desire to slate At the commencement Of my ad
ministration, that long experience and obser