Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-01-30
SUNDAY MORNING. JANUARY so. 1859.
An Economical Administration of the
General Government.


This is one of the cardinal doctrines in the Dem
ocratic creed. One of the most trusted men of cur
party has wisely said, thst strong tendency to-
wards extravaganza is the great political evil Of the
present day. The expenditure of money and the
distribution Of the public patronage is either the
immediate or remote Gauss Of ell the corruptiODs
that nfest the country, tax the Industry of the peo~
pie and endsnger the purity, if not the perpetuity,
of our institutions. With such q constant source
of evil necessarily incident to government, it be-
hooves the people always to be watehful and exaet>
ing of their public servants and TO guard against
an accumulation of the temptations that come be
fore them. An eminent and sagseious statesman
long since passsd from the political arena, once
dertook to enumerste the inducements which, under
our form of government are held cut to corruption
and in conclusion, said alt is impossible 10 con-
ceive, Satan himself could not devise a system
which would mere infsllibly introduce corruption
and death into our political Eden Sir the angels
fell from heaven nth less temptation" Admitting
the figure TO be overdrawn is there not yet enough
of truth to excite in the popular mind anxious
concern for the rapidly increasing expenditures of
the public monies and The accumulation of sources
sfpublie corruption
ALI must admit that we live in the midst of very
great abuses in this respect Where the blame prop
erly attaches, tits not purpose enquire. Let it
rest where it may, it is serious responsibility to
which the guilty parties should be held to rigid
account.
By reason of rotten sy stem of numerical credits
and improper speculatiODs, engendered by false
and pernicious system of paper money currency,
IL
prived of its surplus monies, and its ordinary
of revenue have been grestly weakened; SO much
80 that heavy loans have been necessarily resored
The President and his Secretary Of the Treasury,
with proper wisdom, have pointed out to Congress
and the people these increasing difficulties, and
endeavored to impress upon them the necessity for
retrenchment and reform.
Under such circumstances we might have expect
ed the members of that body to have turned their
attention sssiduously that work. One of two al
ternstves are staring us in the face lessening Of
the public expenditure or increase of the already
heavy taxes the pockets of the people. But what
are the facts Lengthy discussions, day after day,
consume the time of both Houses not to lessen the
debt, but in trying to get through exravsgant
schemes to increase t-sohemes, which if passe d
would carry with them liabilities and expenditure
that could net fall short of hundred millions
dollars, and which, in all probability, would dOub e
that amount! The very contemplation Of such q
state of affairs gives us alarm.
These are times of great moment in the public
affairs of the country The people will demand
proper account from their servants. Let them look
well to the hour OF settlement. As one of the DcmS
ocratic party shall not not seek TO avoid the least
of theresponsibiiy bow resting its shoulders We
trust and believe that 1t will be able to stand the
test of public sentiment If it cannot let it take
the consequences
We have not only to make defense as par
ty, but as individual members of that party, and
every individual acting in public capacity must
give an account of his stewardship. We have no
dread of the consequences. If there are any who
protesting TO be Democrats, have falsfed their
creed and brought reproach upon their party by
corrupt and improvident legislation, shall waste
no tears over them. Their retirement to private
life will not benefit their country than it will
relieve their party.
Democratic ascendancy can only be maintained
by a strict observance of the Democratic ID The
value and efficiency of its principles are all that
gives it strength and Judgment in the affections
of the people. In all other respects, Federalism
has far greater elements of strength It is the
monied power of the country. 1t commands all
the Influences of capital and wealth. 1t embraces
almost the entire strength Of corporations to privi
legged classes. It commands generally, the cities,
towns and villages Demolish the Democratic par
ty by any serious disregard Of its time honored
principles-reduoe it to any thing like the moral
status of the opposition and we could not maintain
our ascendancy q day