Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-03-10
GREAT EXTRAVAGANCE.


ton in Congress are more to be
blamed for great OUTLAWS Of the pub
Ilio money than is the administration.
but for such Demo Gratis as An.
Idrew Johnson and George W. Jones,
we cannot tell into what excuses
these high tariff advocates would
have plJuged the government. The
. Louisville Democrat has made some
good remarks On this subject:
The Qppos; ton are striving (says
1.-THE Democracy to make the most oil
the embarrassment Of the treasury.
Extravagant expenditures and emp
Ity boxes are very Indifferent show
ling. It's, however, subject that
the Opposition can handle but awk-
wardly. The intelligent portion Of
the country understand the whole
matter. This. Administration is not
responsible for the want OF money
! in the treasury. The commercial
revnlsion just past WAS not occasion
ed by any action of the Federal
IGovernmont. Imports fell off one
third, and consequently the revenue
from duties fell off. The administra-
ton had no way to increase foreign
imports, and consequently had no
way to bring more cash into the
treasury. The Administration can
not be responsible for what it had
no power 10 control. The Secretary
of the Treasury redeemed United
States bonds at premium at the
commencement Of the revulsion in
trade in 1857, in order to relieve
the peeuniary ombsrrassments Of the
country. For this he was applauded
by those who croak loudest at pre-
sent. If it was an error, it was well
meant, aud bad the sanction Of law.
The cash thus paid out of the treasu-
ry had to be replaced by loans, and
perhaps it ought to have been re-
tanned. For this alone is the Ad-
ministration responsible, and it is a
very small matter, which cuts but
little figure as a cause of present
embarrassments. JUDGED, it is too
Insignificant to be noticed, even by
the opposition.
That the treasury is empty is
not the fault Of the present Admin
iistratiou; that every one knows. Has
too much been expended? If so,
it is the fault Of Congress. Appro-
priations are made by that body;
land not dollar has been used that
has not been authorized, if not re-
quireG, by law. Before sensible
men will listen to vague charges of
extravaganza and corruption, it is
necessary to furnish some system of
reform; to show how objects can be
accomplished with less money; what
expenses can be lopt of, etc.
We are satified that our Govern
ment can get along with less money;
how? 1t is fact that the Opposi-
ton have generally supported every
project ofextravagance that has been
brought forward. Ifall the bills they
urged had been passed, the govern
ment would now have a debt quite
as large as the admirers of national
debts could desire. Here let it be
borne in mind that the cherished
!, object Of the Opposition protection
can only be gained by heavy ex-
penditures. The proposal to raise
the tariff would not he listened to
When we recollect how aDxiously
this theory Of protection has been
at all times urged by the Opposition.
and how important to their purpose
large expenditures are, We can readily
Judge of the sincerity of their croak-
iings on this subject. The embarrass-
meuts of the treasury IRE their op-
poriunity. 1t affords them now the
only chance for their cherished AND
ardently desired object.
The esgerness with which the
Opposition have always seized upon
every plausible scheme to involve
the Federal Government in a vast
project of internal Improvement,
shows the drift Of their designs
Vast OUTLAWS and heavy national
debt would promote. their theories.
and they have always shown them
selves ready to adopt the means to
that end.
Why should they croak about
large expenditures? A high protec-
tive tariff will raise plenty of moneys.
and as protection is the salvation Of
the country, why not have it, and
plenty of cash to spend? If we can
.,J snond fun hundred millions.