The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-11-24

wiih a steady progress, towards the limits
contemplated by law.
I communicate, with great satisfaction, the
accession OF another state, Illinois, to our U
mon because perceive, by the proof affor-
ded by he additions already made, the regu-
iaf progress and sure contamination OF poll
cy, Of saich history affords no example, and
Of which the good effect cannot be too highly
estimated, BY extending our goyenment,on
the principles Of our constitution, over the vast
territory withn cur limits, on the Lakes and
the Mississippi, and its numerous streams, new
lie and vigor are infused into every part of
system. BY increasing the number OF the
states, the confidence ofthe state governments
III their own security is increased, aud their
Jealousy OF the national government proper
| tonably. diminished. The mpracticabiity
OF one consolidated government for this great
and growing nation, will be more apparent, and
will be universally admitted Incapable of
exercising local authority, except for general
purposes, the general government will no Ion
ger be dreaded. In those cases Of local ma
ture, and for all the great purposes for which
It was instituted, its authority will be cherish.
! ed Each government will acquire new force
and greater freedom OF action, within its
YropeF sphere. Other inestimable advantages
will follow: our produce will be augmented
to an incaiculablc amount, in articles Of the
greatest valne for domestic use and foreign
commerce. Our navigation will, in like de-
gree, be Increased and, as the shipping of
the Atlantic states viii be employed ia the
transportation of the vast produce ofthe ives
tern country, even those parts of the United
States which are the most remote from each
other will be further bound together by the
strongest ties which mutual interest can create.
The situation OF this District, il is thought,
requires the attention of Congress. BY the
Constitution, the power Of legislation is exclu-
sively vested in the Congress OF the United
States. In the exercise of this power, in
which the people have no participation, Con-
gress leglslate in all cases. directly, on the To-
| cal concerns Of the District As this is de-
parture, for special purpose, from the gen
eral principles OF our system, it may merit
consideration, whether an arrangement better
adapted TO the principles Of our government
and to the particular interest of the people
may not be devised, which will neither in
fringe the constitution, nor affect the object
which the provision in question was intended
TO secure The growing population, already
considerable, and the increasing business OF
the District, which it is believed already III
terferes with the deliberations of Congress on
great national concerns, furnish additional mo-
hves for Recommending this subject 10 your
reconsideration. e. 81. r. l,. i'd. #s
| When we view the great blessings with
(which our country has been favored, those
(which we now enjoy, and the means we pos
fsess of handing them down, dnimpaired, to
our latest posterity, our attention is rressti-
IDLY drawn to the source from whence they
flow. Let us then unite in offering our most
grateful acknowledgements for these blessings
TO the Divine Author of all good.
Nov. 18th, 1878. y JAMES MONROE.