The central gazette. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1820-1827, 1825-01-29

short process. We only to ask does a
particnIar power better the condition OF tho
nation' II SO. it follows of cou,se-- and the
man is 'mcGdbky stupid who will not innc.
diateiv admit it If Mr.'A is to he beier ed
we need no longer trouble ourselves with any
enquiry as to the terms which these sonar
| ate states have associated togethcr-for theve-
nv object of the association cancels all limita-
tons. and endows the go, eminent with undo
fined and undefinable powers. II the United
States can do any thing to bettert their condi-
ton, whether the states have conceded the
power or not, there was no necessity Tor n
particular enumeration OF powers in the con-
stitu'ion. They may establish roads and canals
nd Ebitum--universi,ies, colleges and schools:
in fact. where is the limitation ,
when the Virginia Legislature adopted
Madison's report in 1900, they were .ineffably
stupid This 'inefIably stapid' report demon
strated. that the phrase general welfare was
to he found in the articles Of confederatior:'
and that the phrase in this very limited instru-
ment was surely not understood to be either a
general grant Of po,rer. or to anthorise the
requisition application Of money by the old
Congress to the common defence and general
welfare. except an tie cases afertDa, d, enune-
rated Which explained aud limited hei, n,ean-
inp'
How sineffably stupid was the Federali,t
LIST vol J when it asked. 'what would have
been thought of that assembly uhe Federal
Conventionl If attaching themselves to these
general expressions. and disregarding the spe-
cihcatons which ascer tain and limit their inn
port they had exercised unlimited power of
providing for the common defence and gene
raj welfareH'
How .incffably stupid was James Madison.
when on the Sd OF March. 1872, he was con-
strained. by the insuperable difficulty The felt)
in reconciling 1.-THE internal Improvement bill
TO the constitution of the United States, to
negative that bill, though he admits its capa-
city to 'better the condition of the people:
'lf these doctrines he 'ineffahiy stupid
we are content TO abide by them But at least
c, us hear no more OF John @ Adams being
Of the Virginia school Of politicians Can the
constitution be safe in his hands, 1t would he
a nose Of wax--moved this way or that as eS-
rEDIENcY might point oIt!'
Mr. M'Duffe, is willing TO qualify ,bi, I'M
limited claim Of power, v confining it tn those
objects which can he effected BY an apprcpri-
alton of monev. concerning which the consti-
tuition, according to him, makes no Limitation
whatever on the discI etionarv powers of con-
gress The position he assumes therefore is,
that congress may adopt any measu rc whate-
yer; that thew NAV deem necessary 10 the com
mon defenre and general welfare, If n.euey he
necessary to carry It into effect, and appropri.
ate any sum of money whatever for the pur-
pose.
that he thinks he can be justified on no other
principle. Congress appropriated sum of
money FOR the relief OF the French emie,a ants
from st Domingo, who were compelled to
take refuge here in very destitute condition.
And they appropriated another FOR the
relief of the sufferers bv an earthquake at the
Caracas. reply. that congress did not stop
| to enqui whether they had an indispuiat,a
right to indulge this honorable feeling. and
perform these urgent acts Of charity at an en-
pense too insignificant to be an object of de.
bate Neither will; }.
But Mr.. jefferson. by treaty, purchased
Louisiana, for sthe common defence and cen
| eral welfare and cong, ess appropriated tho
money We'll: could they avoid it? Is it not
| the received opinion that the house of repre-
| sentatives are 6ound to make the appropriaI
| tons necessary to carry into effect a treaty a.
| greed To by the executive and ratified bv the
senate? express no opinion Of my own unon
! this question, but this, the common opinion,
! has always been acted upon AT any rate, e.
ven those who denv it TO he the duty o. the
honse, agree that there is no objection 10 heir
doing so. II they see fit This case then, is
| involved essentially and forms past of one Of
the powers expressly vested in. and delegated
TO congress hy the constitution. The abstract
principle % its being duty. not duty.
| was discussed, but not settled in the debates OF,
! Jays Treaty, but the right Of appropriatinS
\ in such a case, was never for a moment DENIED
| then or at tune since. MIR. NJ Duf!ie,
| therefore. must look out for some o'her prcce-
dent equally in point, TO support the stand ne
| has taken.
| In fact, ! see no difference between MIR.
| John Quincy Adam and Mr. M'Dufe For.
| does not absolute power reside in the purse OF
| the nation and with him VIII 20 has absolute CON
| troll over the contents, What fcdcralist wouId
not embrace Mr.. Adams proposition. with
IT = e.
! full liberty to do whatever can he done with
| money, what is j. you cannot do? ff NJ Non.
| roc and Mr.. Calhoun, car place at their owl
| disposal ten millions TO TO expended in Jobs
| for fortincations. and rs muth in Jobs for post
! roads, and military roads, and commercial
roads, and post canals and military cana and
| commercial canals, in every corner OF the u
| Mon where Influence is to be acquired he
| lirre the lees say about the "public we!i
| fare" the better.
am by no means an enemy 10 internal nm
| provsmeDts. but much otherwise, If they ars
executed upon some plan of equality among
| the respective states. But no system Of en-
| penditure is proposed, which shaf contain the
principles Of equality and equity; and a more
wan'on dissipation Of the monec ofthc United
States, can hardly suggest, than the project
| ed Improvements IN the state oE PcnnsylvaDia.
| Every exerci-e Of usurpeJ power, is tyranny.
| Every assumption oi power by congress, not
| ciedriy and indubitrjiu conc cded, rs fraud or
| the several states DO YOU want power t6
make internal Improvements: Take The con
stitUtionaI mode q! obtain NJ it. and apply Tor