Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-10-25

OF opulence, whstmay we not expect from
tAe same cause in our country, abound
ing as il does in the greatest variety Of
products, and presenting the greatest
facility forimprovements Let il not be
said that internal Improvements may be
wholly LETT TO the enterprise of The states
and OF individuals. He knew, he said,
that much might justly be expected to
be done by them; but in country so
new, and SO extensive as purs, there is
room enough, said he, fer all the general
and state governments and individuals,
in which to exert their resources. But
many ofthe improvements contemplated
SAID Mr.. &. are on too great scale for
the Resources of the states or individu-
ais; AID many of such nature, that the
rival Jealousy of the states, if left alone,
might prevent. They required the re-
sources and the general pcrntendence
OF this government to effect and COM
plete them.
But, said Mr.. c. there are higher and
more powerful considerations why Con
gress ought to take Charge Of this sub
Jcct. Ii we were only tie consider the
pecuniary advantages Of good system
OF roads and canais,it might indeed adj
nit of some doubt Whether they ought
not to be LIFT wholly to individual eXer-
| tons; but when wy come to consider
now intimately the Strength and political
prosperity Of The Republic are connected
with this subject, V,e fnd the most ur-
gent reasons why WI should apply our
resources 10 them. In many respec S,
40 country Of equal population aud
wealth, possesses equal materials OF
power with ours. the people, in mus
cular power, in hardy and enterpriziDg
habits, and in lofty and gallant courage,
are surpassed by none. In one respect,
and, in my opinion, in one only, are we
materially weak. We occupy surface
prodiglonsy great, in proportion to our
numbers. The Common strength is
brought 10 bear with great difficulty OF
The point that may be menaced by an
enemy. Ii is our duty then, as far as in
the nature of things il can be effected,
10 connteract this weakness. Good
roads and canals iadiclousIy laid out,
are the proper remedy. In the recent
war, how much did We suffer for the
want Of them b sides the tardiness
and the cons, quon,'al ineflicacy Of our
military movements, 10 what an Increased
expense was ihe country put for the ar
Iicle OF transportation alone In Die
event Of another war, the saving in this
particular would go FAR TOWARDS indem-
ni'ying MS for the expense OF construct
ing the means Of transportation.
1t is not, however, IN this respect only,
that roads and Canals add sirtoglh TO The
country. Cur power Of raising revenue,
IN war particularly depends, said he,
mainly On them. u u ptace our revenue
depends principally on the iaposls; il
war this source, IN great measure, tails,
and internal taxes, ID "a great amount,
become necessary. Uhless the means
% commercial Intercourse are rendered
much more perfect Than they now are,
we shall never be able in war to raise
The neeessary supplies. Ii taxes were
collected in kind; It, for instance, the
farmer and mechanir, paid in their sur
Plus produce, then the difficulty would
not exist, as, 10 no country on earth, Is
there SO great surplus, IN proportion
10 us population, as III ours. but such
a system OF taxes is impossible. They
must be paid in money; and, by the con-
sliiution, must he laid uniformly. What
then is The effect! The taxes are raised
in every par, Of This extensive country,
uniformly; but the expenditure must
in It's nature, be principally confined to
the scene of military operations. This
drains the circulating medium from one
part, and accountants ii 10 another, and
perhaps IN a very distant one. The re-,
suit, said he, is obvious. Unless il can
return through the operation OF trade,
the parts from which lbe constant drain
takes place, must ultimately be impo-
verished. Commercial intercourse is
the true remedy TO this weakness; and
the means by which that is to be effected,
are roads, canals, and the coasling trade.
On these, combined with domestic manu-
features, does the monied capacity oil
sh's country, in war, depend. Without
them, tot only will we be unable to raise
the necessary supplies, but The currency
OF The country must necessarily fall into
the greatest disorder such as We lately
experienced.
But on this subject of nationa! power,
what, said Mr.. c. can be more mpor-
tant than perfect unity in every part,
in feelings and sentiments And what
can tend more powerfully 10 produce il,