The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-03-19

question, because, should the agitation con
lInue, 1t may eventually endanger, the per.
sonal safety ola large portion Of our coun.
trymen where the institution exists. In
that event, no form of government, however
admirable in itself, however productive Of
m"eriai Dement'S, can compensate for the
loss OF peace and domestic security around
the family altar. Let every Union.loyinp
man therefore exert his best influence 10
suppress this agitation, which, since the re.
cent Legislation of Congress, is without ony
legitimate object.
1t is an evil Of the times that men have
undertaken to calculate the mere material
value Of the Union. Reasoned estimates
have been presented of the pecuniary profits
ard local advantages which would result TO
| dihefent States and sections from its disso.
'uton 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.
lhe bare reference to n single consideration
Will be conclusive on this point
We at present enjoy free trade through
out our extensive 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 the South, the
East and West, of our confederacy. Ami.
hiiate 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 Iuin.
But such considerations, important as
they are in themselves, sink into insigniti.
canoe when we reflect on the terrific evils
which would result from dsunion 10 every
portion of the Confederacy-to the North
not more than to the South-to tue East
not more than to the West. These shall
not attempt to portray, because ! feel nm
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
me taint or even the suspicion of corIup.
ton. Public virtue is the vital spirit of
hepnbiics, and history proves that when
'..s nas Gecayed and the love of money has
usurped its place, although the forms Of free
government may remain for a season, the
substance has departed forever, Our pros.
ent financial condition is without parallel
IN history. No nation has ever before been
embarrassed from too large n surplus in the
treasury.
This almost necessarily gives birth to
extravagant legislation. 1t produces wild
schemes of expenditures, and begets race
OF spectators and jobbers, whose ingenuity
is exerted in contrlving and promoting ex-
pedients to obtain the public money. The
party through its official agents, whether
rightfully or wrongfulIy, is suspected, and
the character of the Government suffers in
the estimation of the people. This is in il
self very great evil. The natural mode of
relief from this embarrassment is 10 appro.
pirate the surplus in the Treasury TO great
national objects, for which clear warrant
can be found in the Constitution. Among
these, | might mention tho extinguishmenl
Of the public debt; q reasonable increase Of
the Navy, which is at present inadequate
TO the protection of our vast tonnage atloat
now greater than that Of any o!her ma.
lion, rs well as the defence of cur extend
ed sea coast.
1t is beyond all question the true princ.
pie that no more revenue ought 10 be col.
Iected from the people than the amount
necessary to defray the expenses Of a wise,
economical, and efficient administration OF
the Government. TO reach this point il
was necessary TO resor. 10 a modification of
the tariff, and this has been accomplished
IN such a manner as 10 do rs little injury MS
may have been practicable 10 Our domestic
manufactures, especially those necessary for
the defence of the country. Any discrimi.
nation against a particular branch for the
purpose OF beneiItiug favored corporations,
individuals or interests, would have been
unjust 10 the rest Of the community, and
inconsistent with that spirit Of fairness and
equality which ought 10 govern in the ad.
justment Of revenue tariff; but the souand
erng of the public money sinks into com.
parative insigniticance, as a temptation TO
corruption, when compared with the squand
erng Of the public land. No nation in the
tide CT time has ever been blessed with SO
rich and noble an inheritance as we enjoy
in the public lands.
In administering this important trust,
whilst it may he wise 10 grant portions of
them for the improvement of the remain.
der, vet we should never forget that it is our
cardinal policy to reserve these lands as much
ms may be for actual settlers, and this at
moderate prices. We shall thus not only
best promote the prosperity of the new
States by furnishing them hardy and
independent race of honest and indus.
trious citizens, but shall secure homes
for our children, and our children's child.
rem, as well as for those exiles from foreign
shores who may seek in this country to
improve their condition, and to enjoy the
blessings Of civil and religious liberty. Such