Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-10-20

with which II is invested, l would abaD-
don the whole scheme, and rest con-
tented in the wretched condition in which
find my country involved. But on
this subject / have no apprehensions.
The Colonization Society has distinctly
designated the extent to which il seeks
the interposition of the government oil
The country. Ii asks only the provisions
of place and government TOR the re-
ception and protection oil such persons
OF color, as are already free, and such
Others as the humanity Of Individuals,
and the ia7vs Of the different states may
hereafter hbera;e--the necessary en-
couragement 10, and the necessary iaci-
litlss tor, emigrauon-aud as occasion
may require IT, hecuniary aid TO The
Statea, for e6ecting in such modes as
they may choose, the extinction Of SlaUe-
ny within their reshective limits. Such
aud such only Is the interference asked.
Nor have l ever met with an individual
OF respectable standing, who wished for
| more; or who claimed Tor he govern
ment an authority to destroy. or in any
manner TO weaken the rights recognized
and sanctioned, by the constitution of
the country.
Is there any thing then IN the propos-
ed corporation OF the national govern
ment conflicting IN the smallest degree
with The principles OF the constitution /!
1t there would be any doubt, whether a
government would be invested with all
the powers CT war and peace, and 6pe-
cialiy authorized 10 make treaties, could
acquire foreign territory, 1t must have
oSen removed IN relation 10 our own,
by ihc lndisputed purchase OF Louisiana
and Florida. These acquisitions were
made by the treaty making power, and
with The money OF the Dauon, on The
ground that they would "insure the in
ternal tranquility, and promote The com.
mon defence and lhe general welfare"
OF the country. And | take i, Tor grant
ed, that where the same objects shall
require the acquisition OF other terrific
ries, whether on the coast OF Africa or
America, it may be effected under the
same authority and the same means /;
and the territory being procured, the
most sceptical will not pretend to doubt
The right OF Congress 10 provide," III
| he language OF the constitution, "the
needtul rules and regulations" for Its go
vernment and protection.
| But whence, it may be asked, is deriy.
ed the proposed authority ".o afford en-
Couragement to, and facilities Tor, emf
grafton" and pecunisry aids to the
states Tor eaecting the extinction OF
slavery within their respective limits 90
! From the very same source, answer,
whence springs the whole power OF ar-
preparation; from The authority 40 lay
and cohect taxes, duties, imposis, TO pay
the debts and provide for the common
defence and general welfare of the com
try," and an authority, evidently impos-
ing no other Limitation on the power oil
appropriation, than that it be applied eX-
clusively TO prom otiDg The general into
rests of the nation; and ii according! y
may be, and under every mnistraton
has been used in aiding the accomplish
men, OF objects no, within the reach OF
the other specified powers OF the govern
nent. 1t Is on this principle tina: large
sums have been voted, al different tim es,
Tor m aking roads and canals, for amelio-
rating the condition OF the Indians, for
giving relief to the inhabitants OF Carsc-
cas-, tor restoring captured Africans to
their homes, for suppressng the lave
| ohn oil fnr IN Inn q n
IONS gratitude to Gen. La Fayette,
None of these different acts can be
brought within the enumerated powers
of the government. And if its revenue
is TO be expended, only in sustaining
these powers, no, only must The acts in
question, but very large portion Of the
nun erous acts on our statute book, in
volving expenditure, be pronounced vio-
lations OF the constitutional charter.
Nor is this all. Under every other
construction than that for which ] con-
tend, the people will have effec,ually de-
feated by an injudicious distribution Of
their powers and resources, their own
prosperity: for having given to the &C.
neral government, the exclusive power
OF raising revenue from commerce,
while to tho states they have reserved
many of the most important powers OF
government, they will have given to the
one, aboundant resources which cannot
be used for want Of objects on which to
expend them; and to the other, impor-
tant powers which cannot be exercised
for want OF revenue to sustain them
and the only possible mode Of avoiding
this difficulty will be TO give to the ap'
| nrnnriafinn clanSA of The cnnsfifufian