Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-27
ceive the decided disapprobalion Of an indignant

The subject of expenditures for objects of in
,einai improvements favorte project OF the
present Chief Magisiratc-however hattering to
,hose who are DESTROYS for roads and csnals--must
De exploded, must be blown sky high" else this
government, VIII become despotism and the people
slaves. Let II be remembered that tie people of
New Hampshire, hy their representatives, four
years ago, unanimously protested against that con-
s'ruction OF the Constitution which permits Con-
gross 10 appropriate money for objects of internal
Improvement 1T this project goes on, there will
be no end to the expenditure mo bounds 10 taxa
tion OF the people 10 support that expenditure: the
great mass OF the capital in the country will be
welded by petty agents OF the EXECUTIVE, and
these with the money of the nation at cos.mand
viii break down the spirits of an Independent,
people, and pave the way for an ultimate dcspo-
ism not less oppressive than that of France, or
Russia, or old Spain
IL Is safe calculation TO say that every family
IN the country OF not less than eight persons now
pay, oy indirect taxation, rot less than fifty dol
lars annually Tor the support OF the general gov
eminent: some families of that number pay three
times that amount. This tax is not felt as would
ne 'he direct payment of that amount; but is not
Tess taken from the purse of the individual who
pays II. Every farmer knows or ought TO know
VIVA, is the amount OF his store bilis-wha he pavs
ior tea, coffee and sugar. ardent spirits cloths salt
&c &C. AT least one-fourth part OF the amount of
S"f- - " e"A Iaiu W the government Cl-
Ties Tor those articles. So far as relates to inter-
est 1t matters not to the farmers pocket whether
ne pay 10 the government. one dollar on ward OF
cioth, on his tea, coffee sugar, muasses OF salt or
WHe'nei ne pay the same amount by direct tax:
his money is earned by hard days labor in The
heid. However easy this money may pass into
me p"ohc treasury, 1t Is The product OF the sweat
OF '.'e orow-t Is wrnng " from the hand of the
peasant by ndirection;'' il is money paid over
and above the Intrinsic value of the article which
Is bought and paid for. Now the government or
'he agents oil the government who eXpend the
poniIc monies without corresponding benefit to
me people, do the people an Injustice WHICH thew
can never repair. And whenet er il becomes the
iashioh-as II has been the fashion for the last i've
VI siN yeats-flo cry down every thing aud every
Cody that looks 10 economy in the public eypen-
di'ures-it IS highly proper that the people. the
sovefeiSns OF the country, should exercise VIGILANCE
ana watcftuIness over those who are PLACED In off,
ces OF trus; and responsibility.
The only real political distinctions tha, have
ever existed In this country rest in this simple
lques,'oh--Shail me government be administered
for the benefit Of the people or for the benefi' -
me lew. Shall the people be taxed and the money
&c expended tor the good OF the whole, or TO enable
'hose mo nave their hands the public Golfers q
lot on the spoils eSardess of the public interest
Ahe tine seems already to have arrived wh., hose
VINO hold public Offices cannot be paid enougb
ioi 'ie'E services: tie Congress and the Execu, :
nave been disposed continually to create new of
nces and 10 raise salaries-in no case has any n,
tempt to lessen or reduce them been successful, =
isigid justice has frequently yielded to individua
symHathies; and one oil favor has made vav
i0r another, where sympathy was called for -
Inc moment some sturdy democrat calls for re.
trenchment, for the old JefFersonian economv nm,
accountability, the whole pack of lecches SET unor
him with the cry of ca,ihroat, radical, and every
other epithet which expresses contempt and co,-
tumeiy. Honest and well-meaning men in of1;c,
whose individual interest while they remain in of
nee !, TO follow the fashion, pass along win the
drtinclai current created by few-tLey find il
inueh more Tor their own personal case 10 give in
TO the doctrine that :" the public is a goose ard he
IS unwise who does not have a hand in pluckioo
neF feathers" than in contending in good earnest
lot The public in'eFcst--they go along with much
Tess trouble by agreement to every pronosi,;or
made by Interested men To cheat the public ,ban r.
nave 1t sad that they coniended against public men
at time when there was no patty nor no oeca.
sion for party.
! such state of things cannot continue lono-i
must approach its crisis The sovereign neo,Ie
WIZ resist when driven TO the wall. The DEMO
cracy OF the country will rally when corrnplior
becomes open and palpabIe TPahiof.