Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-05-29

nS- The Patriot Is complaining Of the extravs-
gauce Of government during the last three or four
years We are glad to find our neighbOr advocating
an economical administration Of government. It is
the policy for which we have always oOntended and
which our party has always pursued whenever It had
the power. The Patriot will deserve the gratitude
Of the country should he succeed in convincing his
party friends of the wisdom and prOpriety Of this
sound democratic doctrine. We cordially welcome
our neighbor as a reclaimed prOdigal-as valuable
accession to our cause and hopeful convert to our
principles We have no doubt, he is sincere in his
expressions Of regret at the enormous expenditure
Of the peoples money. He is evidently honest in
his rnuenciation Of the old Federal Wing doctrine
Of "a splendid government and an impoverished
people" and we congratulate him on his abandon
ment Of that heresy It is not unnatural, perhaps,
that in his new born zeal he should direct his awak
ened indignation against the first object that presents
itself and that his hot haste rebuke these abuses
he should mistake the paistiOn for the preparation
Of wrong. We have all heard or read of the benev-
olent man, who, while stsunohing the bleeding
wounds Of the murdered traveller, was assailed by
the incensed mob and beaten to death as the muir
derer. Our ueighbOr is in danger Of committing a
simularact Of injustice against the democratic party
He sees the country in DISTRESS its resources vast
ing away and its substance almost exhausted. he
finds a democratic administration standing by the
suffering State binding up its bleeding wounds,
sustaining its failing strength and restoring its ex
hausted energies He does not stop to ask who in
Aicted The injury, but deals his blows most merci
lessly about the head Of the good physician who Is
seeking to restore the patient life and health and
vigor.
Restrain your anger neighoor, and let us lind out
the real cause of the evils which aict the country.
Investigate the case calmly and when you have as
oertaiued the guilty party, let your anger have its
course. Our resentment is as warm as yours We
unite with you in your denunOistiOn of the crime
and will unite with you in the punishment Of the
criminal
We protest however against the Patriots attempt
to hold a democratic administration responsible for
the sins of its opponents There is no justice in
oondemning Mr. PIERCE and Mr.. BUCHANAS for the
exhausted condition Of the treasury.
They have been compelled to bear the weight Of
their predecessor extravaganza They have in
berited from the FILLMORE administration most Of
the Difficulties which have OocasiOned these eKpen-
ditures Mr. FILLMORE made BRIGHAM YOUNG
AGoyernor Of Utah, and thus entailed upon his
eessors the eU ormous expense which has been
cessary for his removal and subjugstiOn. His
administration pledged the public credit for the
construction Of costly Custom Houses, Post Of
fees and other public buildings far beyond the
wants or necessities Of the government. Under his
auspices the unnecessary and expensive plan Of
larging the capital was inauguratod, thus involving
the country on a scheme of reckless e1travagence,
the consequences Of which will be felt for years,
that the representatives of a republican people
might sit beneath a gtlded roc : lounge in lu1u
risus Incidence in easy chairs oft and sumpuOus
cushions.
Some estimate Of the whole expense Of the CAPT
tol extension may be formed when it is known that
the chairs occupied by the members Of the lower
House, cost the government forty-fve thousand
dollars.
This is only brick from the Babel of folly and
prodgality which that administration reared in the
midst Of our Federal city. The various aPprOpria-
lions, made without authority of Inv for the benefit
of the citizens of Washington--the water works,
suficsut TO drive al the mill wheels and supply all
the manufactures in the United Ststes-the bridges
contributed to swell the legacy of future liabilities
rhioh Mr. FILLMORE bequeated to his successors
snd which have been draining the Treasury ever
ruce. The two last Democratic administrations
lave been paying off the lien which the improvi-
asnce of the Patriots own party executed upon the
rublio revenues They have been struggling con-
sntly and consistently to relieve the treasury from
Inc effects Of this ruinous spirit Of prOdigality and
10 protect it from the rapacty of that gang Of plum
derers that ouroppouens have sent to ProWl around
the capitol and prey upon the resources OF the
States. They have done much to correct the re-
sults Of former wastefulness-to retreDch the ex-
penditures-to prevent the depletion of the treas
urv But the evils Of an injudiciOus system can
not be removed at once. The wisdom Of many
sound economical administrations may be necessary
TO restore the country perfectly safe and heal
tbv condition. In the meanwhile let the PatTtot
and his party remember hiatt the peoples money
has been suuandered, if the public credit has been
ADDsire3. if the nation is groaning beneath the
,r5sn Of accumulated debt it is their own beloved
sader Wbo IS responsible for these abuses, and
.paiDst him the thuniers of their indignation must
be directed