Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-03-18

| In that event, no form OF government, how
ever admissible in itself, however productive
of material benefits, can compensate for the
loss of peace and domestic security around the
family altar Let every Union loving man,
therefore, exert his best Influence to suppress
this agitation, which, since the recent legisla-
tion of Congress, is without any legitimate
object. 1t is an evil of the times, that men
have undertaken to calculate the mere ma
terial value Of the Union. Reasoned esti-
mates have been presented, of the pccunia-
ry profits and local advantages which would
result to different 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 considera-
tion will be conclusive on this point. We at
present enjoy free trade throughout our ex
tensive and expansive country, such as the
world never witnessed. This trade is con-
Quoted on railroads and canals, on noble riv-
ers and arms of the sea, which bind together
the North and South, the East and the West,
of our Confederacy. Annihilate this trade,
arrest 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 in themselves, sink in
to insignifcance when we reflect on the terrif
ic 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 attempt to portray, because feel
an humble confidence that the kind Provi-
dence which inspired our Fathers with wis
dom to frame the most perfect form of gov
ernment 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 maintainance of
the Constitution and the Union is the duty
of preserving the Government free from the
taint of even the suspicion of corruption
Public virtue is the vital spirit of Republics,
and history proves that when this has decay
cd, the love of money has usurped its place,
although the forms of the free government
may remain for a season, the substance has
departed forever. Our present financial con-
dition is without parallel in history. No
nation has ever before been embarrassed from
too large surplus in its treasury. This al
most necessarily gives birth to extravagant
legislation. 1t produces wild schemes of ex-
penditures and begets race of speculators
and jobbers whose ingenuity is exerted in
: contriving and promoting expedients to OBJ
tain the public money. The party through
its official agents. whether rightfully OF
wrongfully, is suspected and the character OF
the Government suffers in the estimation OF
the people. This is in itself very great
evil. The national mode of relief from this
embarrassment is to appropriate the surplus
{ IN the Ireasuary to great national objects fol
which a clear warrant can be found in the
| Constitution. Among these mention the
extinguishmento of the public debt; reason
able increase of the Navy, which is at prcsen,
: inadequate to the protection of our vast ton
age afloat-now greater than that of any 9th.
er naton--as well as the defence of our ex
tended sea coast. 1t is beyond all question
| the true principle that no more revenue ought
to be collected from the people than the
$ amount necessary to dcfray the expenses O
: wise, economical and efficient administra
ton of the Government.
, TO reach this point it was necessary to re
: sort to modification of the Tariff, and this
t has been accomplished in such manner al
s to do as little injury as may have been prac
: ticable to our domestic manufactures, especi
) ally those necessary for the defence of the
j, country. Any discrimination against par
: ticular branch, for the purpose of benefttine
j favored corporations, individuals or interests
h would have been unjust to the rest of The
i community, and inconsistent with that spiri
t of fairness and equality which ought to govern
i in the adjustment of revenue tariff; but th'
# squandering of the public money sinks int
= comparative insignificance, as a temptation t.
! corruption, when compared with the squander
= ing of the public lands. No nation in th'
is tide of time has ever been blessed with 81
y rich and noble an inheritance as we enjoy il
e in the public lands. In administering thi
o important trust, whilst it may be wise to gran
= portions of them for the improvement of tn
h remainder, yet we shall never forget that
e is our cardinal policy to reserve those land
e as much as may be for actual settlers, am
5 this at moderate prices. We shall thus no
n only best promote the prosperity of the nev
e States, by furnishing them hardy and indie
D pendent race of honest and industrious Cit
< zens, but shall secure homes for our childre