Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-04-13

what not could force their plans or their theo-
ries for the control of the government. These
suggestions which he had thrown out he
hoped would be considered by the administra-
ton. He did not propose to use the thumbs
screw to force his opinions, but to let thought
meet thought, mind meet mind, and money
meet money.
Mr.. S. then went on to demonstrate the
advantages, as he considered them, of his
plan for loaning the public money. He
thought it would be sufficiently demonstrated
to the professional mind, and also to the un-
professional The effect would be to dissi-
pate boarded capital, to take money from those
who had and give to those who had not 1t
would strengthen the laboring classes. We
have been going on three wheels when we
ought to have been on four. Our commerce
is almost destroyed, and when once destroyed
it cannot be restored.
Mr.. Sprague read at this point copious ex>
tracts from English and Spanish history to
illustrate his position, and eulogized the in
dustry and prosperity of the people of Hol-
land, and held them up as worthy of lmlta-
ton by the people of America. Mr.. Sprague
again adverted to the Legislation of the day /;
again charging it as pernicious. Nobody was
safe, for no one knew too day what Congress
would do tomorrow Every interest In the
country was constantly running here to get
legislation to suit its particular views. lie
had endeavored in the best language he could
to call the attention of Senators and the coun
try to the exact condition of matters here and
elsewhere am confirmed in the position 1
have taken by indications which have come
to me from all quarters. | deem it duty
to bring to bear upon that condition OF things
such illustrations, and point to those which to
me are most applicable. have pointed to the
action of CoDgress-the members of the two
houses-in their demands they make upon
the executive for Office, but have not point
ed to condition of things among the people
| that is as vicious, as injurious to communities
and States as the operations of the govern
ment-of members of Congress-in its appli-
cation for Office for its friends. [ have used
the best illustration at command to show the
! pernicious influence of those who control the
capitol building.
There is in my State family that has a
newspaper orgen When they sneeze there
is great sneezing from one end of the State
to the other a few days ago he had adj
verted to paragraph which had appeared in
his colleagues paper, (tho Providence jour-
naI) He asked the people of Rhode Island
if they desired that the interest which he rep
resented should be stopped This great
moneyed family said Sprague has invested in
the South, Sprague is extending his opera
tons and then shaking their heads as if to
indicate they did not know what would be the
end of it, and then everybody else shook their
heads. [Laughter.] Then they wrote an
article for his colleagues paper. Mr.. S. here
gave once more account Of his vast busi>
ness. and how he managed it for the benefit
of all those about him, the market price Of
wooIens, cOttons, nc.
II war was to give TO the people equal
facilities with the great establishments. He
did not want all people to be affected by the
bad condition of his stomach. This great
family (Brown) came to him in 1857 and
made proposition to him to join forces and
break down every one else, and then buy up
their property. He spurned the proposition
The Brown University, managed by this FAM
lily, was not in the interest Of the people Of the
State
1t was we'll known that ne retuEued from
Europe in 1860, and received greater ova-
ton than had ever been paid before to any
| private citizen. and he then after repeated
decliuations finally consented to run for Gov
ernor. He then gave an account Of his great
military services during the rebellion, as con-
trasted with the cowardice of the regiment
sent into the field by the great family which
he called ''the million dollars"
! When Mr.. Sprague concluded his colleague
! (Mr. Anthony obtained the floor, but gave
way for motion to go into executive session,
after which the Senate took recess ultil
$50 p. NJ.