Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-05

eminent citizen, at the time of his first
induction to this Office, in his career Of
eightyears, the internal taxes have been
repealed; sixty millions of the public
debt have been discharged; provision
has been made for the comfort and re-
lief of the aged and INDECENT, among
the surviving warriors of the Revolu-
ton; the regular armed force has been
reduced, and its constitution revised
and perfected; the accountability for
the expenditures of public moneys has
been made more effective; the Floridas
have been peaceably acquired, and our
boundary has been extended to the Pa
ci6c ocean; the independence of the
southern nations Of this hemisphere has
been recognised, and recommended, by
example, and by counsel, to the Poten-
tates of Europe; progress has been
made in the defence of the country, by
Notifications and the increase of the
navy-towards the effectual suppress
sion of the African traffic in slaves-in
alluring the aboriginal hunters of our
land to the cultivation Of the soil and
Of the mind-in exploring the interior
regions Of the Union, and in preparing,
by scientific researches and surveys,
for the further application of our ma
tional resources to the internal inn
provement of our country.
In this brief outline of the promise
and performance of my immediate pre-
deeessor, the line Of duty, for his sue
cessor, is clearly dileneated. To pur-
sue to their consummation, those pur-
poses Improvement in our common
condition, instituted or recommended
by him, will embrace the whole sphere
Of my obligations. To the topic of in
ternal improvement, emphatically urg-
ed by him at his inauguration, ! recur
with peculiar satisfaction. 1t is that
from which am convinced that the
unborn millions of our posterity, who
are in future ages 10 people this CONT
nent, will derive their most fervent
gratitude to the founders Of the Union;
that in which the bene6cent action of
its government will be most deeply felt
and acknowledged. The magnifi-
cence and splendour of their public
works, are among the imperishable
glories of the ancient republics. The
roads and aqueducts of Rome, have
been the admiration of all after ages,
and have survived thousands Of years,
after all her conquests have been swal-
lowed up in despotism, or become the
spoil of barbarians. Some diversity
Of opinion has prevailed with regard
to the powers Of Congress for legisla-
ton upon objects of this nature. The
most respectful Difference is due to
doubts, originating in pure patriotism,
and sustained by venerated authority.
But nearly twenty years have passed
since the construction of the first ma
tional road was commenced. The au-
thority for its construction, was then
unquestoned. To how many thou
sands Of our countrymen has it proved
benefit , To what single individual
has it ever proved an injury? Repeat
ed liberal and candid discussions in
the legislature, have conciliated the
sentiments and Appropriated the OPT
Mons of enlightened minds, upon the
question of constitutional power. /
eanno, but hope that, by the same pro-
cess Of friendly, patient, and persever-
ing elaboration, all constitutional OBJ
jections will ultimately be removed.
The extent and limitation ofthe powers
Of the General Government, in rela-
ton to this transcendently important
interest, will be settled and acknow-
lodged, to the common satisfaction of
all and every speculative scruple will
be solved by practical public bless
ing.
Fellow-citizens, you are acquainted
with the peculiar circumstances of the
recent election, which have resulted in
aHording me the opportunity of ad-
dressing you at this time. You have
heard the exposition Of the principles
which will direct me in the fulfilment