Upon this, the only important financial issue of the time,
Massachusetts was seen side by side with
Virginia — the
State of the Adamses with the
State of
Jefferson.
The country was thriving, and the one problem was to guide the natural flow of prosperity within natural bounds.
The type of government which bases its appeal for support upon governmental aids to special interests, and alliance, if not partnership with them; upon bounties to favored classes and the influence purchased by such favor; had received a complete, and, had it not been for the passions of the anti-slavery agitation, there is every reason to believe a final defeat.
From the time of the decisive overthrow of this class legislation in 1846, and because of such overthrow the country had prospered.
1
No party appeared in any force from 1846 to 1860 to dispute the salutary tendency of this legislation.
It was ‘a condition and not a theory,’ which was thus impregnable.
The just reward of the general industry did not stagger under burdens imposed for the creation of excessive dividends to a few. On every legitimate subject of debate the
State's-rights administration of affair had extorted the acquiescence if not the welcome of traditional foes.
Government was honestly administered and not honeycombed by the corruption which is to-day referred to as the necessity of politics.
There was
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prosperity without bounties; trade without subsidies; a character which could stand alone, and implore no staff for either infancy or old age. The winds of onward movement filled every sail.
The gallant masts did not bend as the goodly timbers sped forward with the goodly freight.
