Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-10-09

an enquiry info the co,ss,ifWional;fy and e.z-
fedicney ofthe general government max
J fsg firouis,oa for education and Internal
! IMPROVEMENT.
(Confinned.)
But il, notwithstanding, it shall be con-
sidcred doubtful whether Congress pos
sess the power of promoting education
and intel nal improvements, is it not e1,he-
dienf that the Constitution should be so al
tered as TO confer the powerf 81,
Thatn is expedient will, apprehend,
appear from the following considerations
l. The general government possesses
the ercius,ve .fiorver OF. laying imposts,
which is the most productive source of
TAXATION, while it likewise possesses the
power OF taxing every other Object, in
common with the states. That govern
ruent has also the sole disposition OF the
western lands, which constitute vast
fund Of wealth, which can only properly
be devoted 10 Whatever Is the most promo
tive of the general good. The general
government thus Possesses the means Of
effectually exercising this power, which
the states do not. From the states then
We cannot look for It's exercise, unless the
means, now possessed by the general GO
verDment. be transferred 10 them. Either
then these great objects aiil be neglected,
or the Constitution must be modified.
The only question 20 he solved is, whether
this alteration shall consist in giving the
general government new powers. or IN
transferring 10 the states some ofihc pow
ers now possessed by the general govern
nent. The latter Object NAV be effected
IN two ways either by taking from me
general government the entire right OF lay
ing certain taxes, and yesting il in ihe
states, or by suffering the right TO be re-
tanned by the general government, but pro
ylding that, under certain circumstances,
the p, oduSt of ceitaio taxes shall go 10 the
states for Their disposition. For divssiing
the general government ofthe entire right
oil laying certain taxes there will probably
be few advocates. : Il was thought by the
F, trainers of the federal Constitution tina,
! as that instrument was principally formed
TO preserve the union OF the states against
every species Of foreign or internal danger
II was indispensable that powers common
surate 10 the Object should be COME red
| that 40 possibility should occur OF an OBJ
| le6t so infinitely important failing to be at.
tended To. Viewing Che history of other
states. ard particularly offree sa;e., il was
seen that emergencies had no, upfrequenl-
y occurred in their affairs, which requir.
I'd the prompt and d. cislve interposi,ion
of all the physical resources of The nation.
IL was sensibiy felt lhat the want of an
efficient comnand ofthese resources had
/ often endangered the existence of nations,
| and still oitener clnboldened the injustice
ard ayarice of their enemies. The ex-
perieDce of the whole world had demon
straied the truth Of The maxim, hat the
only. way of preserving peace was 10 BE-
prepared for wac: Ner could that govern
ment be said TO be prepared for war, that
had 10, the means ofcarrying j, on either |
IN IFS hands, or withinits INN, dia,e reach |
Herce, With scarcely dissenting voice, /
outstanding the magnitude Of The pow
ers, there was devolved on he general go |
yefnment the command OF he whole To- &c |
of the community, the right OF declaring
war. and that OF laying taxes 10 any
mount, and on ali objects, except export !
ed articles. The possession of this pow.
er has excited $40 murmur. Great as il |
undoubtedly is, il has been considered ne. |
cessary. An attempt to disturb it would |
probably no, only he viewed with extreme
apprehension, but prove abortive. To-
deed as among the numerous project
suggested, no one has proposed it, i. may
be considered as not in the least likely to
be eeected. The only alternative left is,
the suIlering the power TO be retained by
the general government, bot proyidHr
that, under certain circumstances. he pro.
duet uf certain taxes should go TO (he
states Tor their disposition.
Is 1t nn' here at once perceived, tba'
this disposition Of he produa n taxes. be-
ing dependent upon certain circumstances, I
some body mus, iis the Judge ri heir Oc-
currsnce aud hat ia b,dy canbo 10 ether
than the general govsrnmenll The peeser
valion &C peace against foreign aggression /
tle maintenance OF law add order against !
! internal violence, and The fJIGlmcnt of "a /
lional engagements, must ~ the tirstin- I
stance be provided for; and then, and theh I
! only would follow The dutJ oftransierr:ngt !
I the resuectiye states the surplus wealth /