Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-02-11
MR.. BUCHANAN UPON PUBLIC lex.
pFNDTTT1REC

IN
PENDITURES.
The following letter Of Mr.. Buchanan. No,
quite seven years old. has been most onnor.
tunely raked up. In 1852, he was inexpress-
IDLY shocked at an annual expenditure of fnv
millions. Now, with an estimated revenue of
sixty millions, he demanded more money. and
threatens an extra session of Congress. if be
does not get it
"WHEATLAND, FeJ %. 1852.
"GENrIEuEN On what is-
sues, then, can we go before the country. and
confidently calculate upon the support of The
American people at the approaching Prcsi.
dental election? | answer unhesitatinulv
that we must fall back as you suggest. upon
those fundamental and timc-honored princi-
pies which have divided us from our political
opponents since the beginning, and which.
from their very nature must divide us from
them to the end. We must inscribe upon our
banners sound regard for the preserved
rights Of the States, strict construction Of
the Constitution. denial to Congress OF all
powers not clearly granted by that instrument.
and rigid economy in public expenditures.
These expenditures have now reached the
enormous sum of FIFTY MILLIONS Of doHnrs
per- AMMAN, and unless arrested in their adj
vance by the the strong arm of the Dcmocra-
cy of the country may, in the course of few
yours, reach one h,ndred millions The ap-
preparation Of money to accomplish great ma
uonal objects sanctioned by the Constitution.
ought to be on a scale commemorate with our
power ana resources as a nation but its cx-
penditurc ought to be conducted under the
guidance of enlightened economy and strict
responsibility ! am convinced That our On.
penses ought 20 be coHsiaerolly ,e9ueeJ Jei,,e
The present standard, not only without dotri-
mcnt, but with positive advantage both 10 tho
Government and the people
"An excessive and lavish expenditure of
public money, though in itself highly pcrnic-
ious, is nothing when compared with the dis
astrous influence it may exert upon the char-
actcr Of our free institutions 4 strong fel-
dmcy tow1rd extravaganza Is me great POLITE
cal cell Of he present d1y and this ought 20
be firmly resisted Congress is now inccs-
sanity importuned from every quarter TO make
appropriations for an sorts Of projects
Money from The National Treasury Is constant
IN denande8 ~ enrich contractors spcculqfors.
and agents and these Projects arc elded over
with every alluroment which can be impaired
to them by ingenuity and talent. Claims
which had been condemned hy former decisions,
and had become rusty with age. have been
again revived, and have been paid, principal
and interest. Indeed there seems to be one
general rush TO obtain money from the Trca-
sury on any and every prctencc.
"What will be the inevitable consequence
Of such lavish expenditures. IRE Hey not
coicaiQfed 10 disturb he niceIy-q4'use3 balance
betweu he Fe3.roI and State G0rernmenk. up
ON the preservation Of which depend the har-
mony and efficiency of ouy system Greedy
cNpcctauts from the Federal Treasury will re-
gard with Indifference if not with contempt,
the Governments of the several States. The
doctrine ~ State rights rH BE- laughed 10 scorn
by such Hdiriduah, as an oisa'cfr abstraction,
tmVoHty The enlightened spirit of he age The
corrupting power of money will bc felt
throughout the length and breadth OF the land
aud the Democracy, led on by the Hero and
Sage of the Hermitage, viii have ia vain put
down the Bank of the Jnitod States. ~ ne
same fatal influence for whicb II icas condemned
shaH be- erated md tof.rsd iy means drum
from The public 7rraury
ITO be liberal with their own money. but
sparing Of that of the Republic was the glory
OF distinguished public servants among the
ancient Romans. Whom this maxim was re-
vcrsod, and tbe public money was employed
by artul and ambitions demagogues TO secure
their own ACKNOWLEDGMENT. genuine liberty
soon expired. Il is true that the forms OF
the Republic continued for many years. but
the animaiing and inspiring soul had fed for
ever. entertain no scrious apprchensious
that we shall ever reach this point, yet we
may still profit by their example.
with sentiments Of the highest respect.
remain your friend and fellow citizen,
JAMES BUcHANAN.'