Pennsylvania Iron Memorial [pp. 1-22]

1852.3 Pennsylvania Iron Memo~'ial. 3
Here then it is admitted, in their own words, that they require of the common goverumeutfaroaririg legislation to
encourage and advance their peculiar enterprises. In
short, they desire to be king's favourites-Gavastons
Dudleys, Lmpsons, and Buckingliams! Will other interests be satisfied unless as much be done for them? Are
all interests to be favoured? If so, where will it end?
Cui bono! A regular compensation to each can scarcely
be contemplated, f&r that would be nothing more than
reguL~r exchange, a (luid pro quo, if it is desired to be
made equal and satisfactory; and in that ease it would be
hut justice to let the people make their own bargains.
We would rather not have Messrs. Seward, James, and
Morehead, intervening. If, to favour, means nothiu~ more
than that, " to support, or countenance," then surely it is
a strange request, unless the party lab ours under some
pecuha~ grievance, to ask for themselves, only, that which
~ equally the right of all. We are all cii titled to the
support and countenance" of government. But it cannot be said to he a peculiar favour to have that granted
to one, of which all are possessed and are entitled to be
possessed. It is not to be let aThrte that they desire, for
they say that is "good enough for merchants," but not
for them. When they speak of "favouring ThgThlation"
they mean something not general and common to oll, but
specific and common to Pennsylvania or New-Y~rk iron.
They desire to be assisted by peculiar advantages; "to be
contributed to," which we find is one meaning given by
Dr. Johnson to the verb, to favour; as for instance, "any
enemy may be favoured in his appronches." Or in the
language of Pope,
"Oh, happy youth! and favoured of the skies,
Bistinyuisked care of guardi~fl deities."
If such is the favour required by these memorialists, howis it possible that they can expect th~t general consent,
which would be absolutely necessary to make such a mea
sure the permanent policy of the country, free from fluctuations, and not liable to be changed from day to day?
The general intelligence of the age must be lost, and the
-spirit of liberty as thoroughly crushed as a Louis Napoicon could desire, before common consent, in America, can
allow such partial favouring legislation to settle down as
the fixed policy of these States.