Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-05-11

from 1889 to 1922. period of thuty-three
years, and during which most expensive
war was carried on with Great Britain!
The expenditures during the administra-
ton of John Quincy Adams, were as fol-
lows:
1925 81 .4eo, 459
1926 10 COZ $40
1927 IL 254 ,397
1928 I25O6,on
Total aggregate, 4s,313.21s
Annual average expenditure from
1855 10 ls5S-four years, 63 1923 .438
Showing an average expenditure for each
and erTy year of the last four years, of s14,-
Ole, 225 more than the entire expenditure of the
whole four years of the much abused admin
istration of John Quincy Adamsl
These figures are facts. We challenge the
closest scrutiny into their accuracy. They
fasten upon the Democratic rule, which has
cursed the country for the last six years, an
enormity of increased expenditure and waste
of the public money unparalleled in its pre-
vious history.
Right here, as commentary upon Demo-
cratic professions and an illustration of
Democratic hypocrisy, we subjoin extracts of
letter written by Mr.. Buchanan in 1852.
JAMES BUCHANAN ON FEDERAL ExTRAvAGANCE.
WHEATLAND, Feb %, 1852.
GENTLEMEN: On what issues,
then, can we go before the country, and con-
fdently calculate upon the support Of the
American people at the approaching Presi-
Dental election? / answer, unhesitatngly,
that we must fall back. as you suggest upon
those fundamental and tme-honorcd princi-
Piles which have divided us from our political
opponents since the beginning, and which,
from the very nature Of the Federal Constitu-
ton, must continue to divide us from them
to the end. We must inscribe upon our ban
ners a sound regard for the reserved rights
of the States, strict construction of the Con-
stitution. denial to Congress of all powers
not clearly granted by that instrument, and
a rigid economy IN public expenditures.
These expenditures have now ched the
enormous sum Of FIFTY MILLIONS Of dollars per
dnnum and unless arrested in their adj ance
by the strong arm of the Democracy of the
country, may. i'll the course of a few years.
REACH ONE HUNDRED MILLIONS. The appropri-
alton of money to accomplish great national
objects sanctioned by the Constitution, ought
to be on a scale commensurate with our pow
er and resources as a nation; but its expendi-
ture ought to be conducted under the guidance
of an enlightened economy and strict respOn-
sibility. I am convinced that expenses ought 10
be considerably reduced beLO1c the present Standard
not only without detriment, but with positive
advantage both to the Government and the
people.
Az excessive and lavish expenditure of
public money, though in itself highly perni-
cious, is nothing when compared with the dis
astrous influence it may exert upon the char
acter Of our free institutions. Il strong tende1a-
cy to,cards extravaganza rs the great political eU of
the present day, and this ought to be firmly re-
sisted. Congress is now necessarily impor.
tuned from every quarter to make appropria-
tiOns for all sorts of projects. Money, from the
national treasury as constantly demanded 10 enrich
contractors, spectators, ond agents and the pro-
jects are gilded over with every allurement
which can be impaired to them 10y ingenuity
and talent. Claims which had been con-
demned by forms- decisions and had become
rusty with age, have been paid, principal and
interest. Indeed there seems to be one general
rush to obtain money from the treasury on
any and every pretence.
What will be the inevitable consequence of
such lavish expenditures Are hey not cdlcu-
Lated TO disturb The nicely adjusted baldnce betCecn
the Federal and State Governments, upon the pre-
servation. of which depend the harmony and
efficiency Of our system? Greedy expectants
from the federal treasury will regard with in
difference, if not with contempt the govern
ments of the several States. The doctrine Of
State rights tciU be laughed 10 scorn Jy such i,ldUi
duaLs as obsolete abstraction unworthy the en-
ightened spirit Of the age. The corrupting power
OF money will be felt throughout the length
and breadth of the land. and the Democracy
led on by the Hero and sage of the Hermit
age. will have in vain put down the Bank of
the United States, # the same fatal influence for
Whch condemned shall be ererte2 and fostered
by means drdtCn from The public treasury.
To be liberal with their own money, but
sparing of that of the republic, was the glory
of distinguished public servants among the
ancient Romans. When this maxim was re-
versed, and the public money was employed
by artful and ambitious demagogues to secure
their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, genuine liberty
soon expired. 1t is true that the forms of the
republic continued for many years, but the
anmating and inspiring soul had fled for
ever l entertain no serious apprehensions
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.
Five years after the foregoing letter was
written, the writer was elevated to the Presi-
dency, and, with decided Democratic majori-
ties in both Houses of Congress, the expendi-
buS HSoal year vi au-
ministration ran up to S7I ,90l,I3O, which
was
Iioenty-eigh millions of dollars more than
the highest amount expended during any one
year of Mr.. Fillmore's administration J.
Tieenty-one millions more than he said was
Zoo much in 1852, and
Tioeatyt ,ro millions more than the total
aggregate of expenditures during the whole
four years of John Quincy's administration
The highest expenditure of any one year of
the Wing administration Of Gen. Taylor and
Mr.. Fillmore, as we have seen, was S43, ISL, :
ss2. BY adding on the payments made on
account Of the public debt, for which the
Wing Administration was in no respect re-
sponsible, Mr.. Buchanan in the foregoing
letter magnifed the annual expenditure to
$50,00000O, and denounced il rs n slavish
expenditure" which, if not arrested in its adj
vance by the strong arm of the Democracy,
might, in the course Of few years, reach one
hundred millions Of dollars. He raised the
cry OF Wing extravaganee, and called upon
the Democracy TO inscribe upon thar banners
"a rigid economy public expenditures" as isstKs
in the Presidential campaign which was short
ly to open. The Democratic party was sue
cessiul. Gen. Pierce entered upon his adj
ministration In 1883, with strong Democratic
majorities in both Houses Of Congress aud