Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-03-19


tue is the vital spirit of Republics,
and history proves that when this
has decayed, and love of money has
usurped its place, although the forms
of 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 em-
barrassed from too large a surplus in
its treasury. This almost necessa-
rily gives birth to extravagant legis-
lation. 1t produces wild schemes of
expenditures, and begets a race of
spectators and jobbers, whose inge-
nuity is exerted in contriving and
promoting expedients to obtain the
public money.
Party, through its official agents,
whether rightfully or 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 embarrassments, is to APP
propiate the surplus in the Treasu-
ry to great national objects for which
clear warrant can be found in the
Constitution. Among these | might
mention the extinguishment of the
public debt, and a reasonable increase
of the Navy; which is at present in
adequate to the protection of our vast
tonnage ahoat, now greater than any
other nation, as we'll as the defense of
our extended 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 defray the
expenses of wise, economical and
efficient administration Of the gov
ernment. To reach this, it was nec-
essary to resort to a modification of
the tariff, and this has been accom-
plished in such a manner as to do as
little injury as may have been prac
ticable to our domestic manufactures,
especially those necessary for defence
of the country. Any discrimination
against a particular branch for the
purpose of beneftting favorite corpo-
ratiens, individuals or interests would
have been unjust to the rest of the
community and inconsistent with that
spirit of fairness and equality which
ought to govern in the adjustment of
a revenue tariff.
But the squandering of the public
money sinks into comparative insig-
nifcance as temptation to the cor
ruption, when compared with the
squaudering of public lands.
No nation in the tide of time has
ever been blessed with so rich and
noble an inheritance aswe enjoy in the
Public Lands. In administering this
important trust, whilst it may be
wise to grant portions of them for
the Improvement of the remainder,
yet we should never forget that it is
our cardinal policy to reserve these
lands as much as may be for actual
settlers, and that at moderate prices.
We shall thus not only promote the
prosperity of the new States by fur
nishing them hardy and indepen-
dant race of honest and Industrious
citizens. but shall secure homes for
our children's children, as well as for
those exiled from foreign 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
promote the growth and prosperity OF
hecountry. They hayeproved faith
ful both in peace and in war. After
becoming citizens they are entitled
under the Constitution and laws to be
placed on perfect equality with
native born citizens, and in this char
acter they should ever be kindly re-
eognized.
The Federal Constitution is a
grant from the States to Congress ol
certain specific powers, and the ques.
ton whether this grant shall be li5er'
ally and strictly construed. has more
OF less divided political, parties from
the beginning. Without entering
into the argument, / desire to state
at the commencement of my admin
istration, that long experience ant
observation have convinced NE thai
a strict construction of the powers
of the government is the only tru'
as well as the only safe theory Of tn
Constitution. Whenever, in our pas
history, doubtful powers have bee'