Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-10

Ject oil national currency. This was a necessi-
~ particularly apparent to n man of MIR. Cal
houn's Perspicacty, and his leading rank in
Congress, imposed upon him the duty OF pro-
viding for ii, a duty to the labopaniuesponsi-
bility of which, those who n Hcnd its
performance were not expo Ia every
point of view, theretirI, i'm relaf{ollo this sub
Jece, whether we regard the means or the end
oil Mr.. Calhouns policy lin advocating the es-
adjustment of the Bank of the United States
1t is entitled to the appreciation ofcyery lust and
patriotic mmd, Is covered by the example of
Jefferson and Madison, is esteemed strictly con-
stitutional by our most cnls htened and popular
statesmen, and rs experimentally sanctioned bv
the reproduction it afforded of sound cur
rency throughout the Union.
Mr. Calhoun Is also accused of being friend
to a system OF internal Improvement charac-
ter 1T seems odious to the Richmond party, as
their friendships are ofan opposite description
but IN the popular sense ofthe phrase, we should
like to know if Mr.. Crawford is an e,eyu to q
system ofintcrnal Improvement, or indeed whe
ther there Is an eminent or conspicuous states
man who is an enemy to such a system Mr.
Jefferson, Mr.. Madison, Mr.. Monroe, have a
gain and again approved bills of APPROXIMATION
Tor objects of internal improvement; nor can il
be shewn that Mr.. Calhoun has gone bevond
their example. Ii is true Mr.. Madison reject
ed the bill setting aside the bonus of the United
III.
but 1t Is to be remembered, that it was not pre-
sented Tor his signature until the last moment of
the session, when from the multitude of bills
pressing on is attention, one suggesting mpor-
tant constitutional considerations could not re-
ceIve that full deliberations, without which SO
jealous a guardian of the constitution, as Mr.
Madison, could never have given il his sancti
Oh. IL Is 10 be observed too, that his argument
on rejecting the bill, bears marks of haste. as #
exhibits but little of his usual accuracy. In
deed, his leading obIection-that the consent of
the States,can confer on the general government
nopower OF appropriation which is not granted by
The constitution, and of course is so far futile &
supererrogatory, although in itself firm and
Just Positlon-was in this case msapplicd For
Mr.. Calhonn's bill did not propose to originate
an appropriation: on the other hand, it went to
pledge the government NOT Inappropriate to any
other object than that of national improvement
certain fund which was to come into the trea-
sury, leaving the constitutional question and the
Tune, manner and occasion of the appropriation
ior future determination, and extending the
pledge to an obligation on the part Of the gene
raj government, not TO apply the appropriation.
however sanctioned or directed, without first OBJ
tanning the consent of the state or states, whose
rights, interests, inhabitants or territory, were
to be Affected by It's application. Does this look
like hostility TO state rights Is it not rather
tue energy OF luminous and patri tic mind, re-
anxious for the good ofthe nation, directing the
light of the constitution itself, upon points on
ltsown surface which were previously obscured ?
But, here again ii may be asked-why is this
objection urged SO strenuously against Mr.. Cal
houn! The same objection more forcibly applies
to ala our most eminent public men, except
General Jackson, for they are all deeply com
united in favor of internal Improvement. In
deed, upon the two measures of internal i'm
proyement, and the Bank of the United States,
the opinion of the nation has been, repeatedly
expressed, and they may now be considered as
component parts of the settled policy of the
Countrywide policy of Mr.. Calhoun, however,
IN SO tar as 1t appears in his reports and speech
es is restrained on the former subject to the
mere right of appropriating, which must exist in
the general government as long as the United
States Is nation; he has never asserted the
right OF applying the money so appropriated
without the consent of the state or of the indiyi-
duals to be affected by it.
1t Is difficult TO conceive that this objection
should be made against him by the caucus
party, for any other reason, than because thev
had no better to make, and because they hoped
from the debasing effect of their previous sue
cess, the credulity and ignorance of the people
OF Virginia, were equal TO their own presump-
ton and assurance. They give Mr. Calhoun
no credit for the propriety and prudence of his
views, in regard to the peace establishment of
'hC thousand men, SUI
hclent, as soon as the war ceased; at time
when statesmen of greater experience were in
favour of ID or 10000. Nor do they ever al
Jude TO the great Improvements introduced BY
him, IN the economical and military admlnistra-
ton OF the war department; in the despatch and
regularity OF business the complete and tremu-
lous responsibility, throughout all its branches
the elevated spirit, and cultivated habits of the
army which now exhibits as great force of
professional talent, and as large fund ofexpan-
sIve capacity as can be found in the same num-
Der OF men, in the most warlilSe country in Eu-
rope-and at an expence too reduced below lis
previous cost, by an admirable economy, and
in an astonishing degree. They are also care
full not 10 observe, what must strike the eyes of
all who do not find it convenient TO be blind, the
uneXampled fidlity with which the public mo-
ney, under the control of the war department
has been applied TO the objects for which it was !
intended, and the remarkable fact in its dis |
bursement, that ofthe appropriations for the two
last years not single cent has been lost to the
government.
Having thus fellow citizens, with more zeal !
than ability, endeavourcd TO explain to YOU the |
principles and views which according 10 our
estjudgement should regulate your votes, when |
you shall next be called upon TO perform the !
highest political duty within the circle of your
constitutional power, we have TO solicit your
attention TO ticket of electors which the co. |
operation ofrcspectable citizens throughout the |
state, i'll just effort TO counteract the usurping |
force of the caucus party, and the increasing
ofJaclSson and Calhoun, have enabled
us 20 form On it you will find men whose cha
racters will do justice TO the great principle Of