Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-28

that is due to those who are 10 be NOR. "a
diately affected by the contemplated cb,.%
am willing to view the subject wholly ir%>
Iitical point of view, and independents -
high and enviable character it affords ne, ID II
portunity of acquiring among the na'~'N
the earth. [ see enough In its effecte ' q
our individual worth, and our national s r,is$
to justify every expenditure that can no'5S
be required.
Contracted indeed mast be the views H.,
statesman, who does not see in our coIo,,5 "
puatlon, abundant matter of reproacb a. p
as danger to our political institutions v sl
fully blind must he be, who does not draw w
the northern and southern sections Of ONE
an inference unfavorable to the value or .1l
labor. And that man would be an aror.r's
creation, who would venture TO deny H.. =
war, the population in question, mus /.
source Of weakness, not less appalling H..
scanty revenue, an undiscipined army. Or AN. .
fortified coast. Is not its removal then 49,
iect of deep interest, and Of general copce,,;
Or can any expenditure for its acconnrI
ment, within the compass OF our means }. =.
sidercd disproportioned to its importance,
But question as important az it is dsi,,,.
presents itself, in relation to the powers Of A.
general government. And deep and sincera..@
the interest have ever felt on this spb.,
great and unlimited as are the personal ss-,s
ces am willing to make in relation to IT, IA
no hesitation in saying, that rather than see N.
general government Il transcend It's authoFily. p,
Their than see it go single inch beyond !.
powers with which IL is invested, would sbs,.
don the whole scheme, and rest contcned In, bs
wretched condition in which find nv cogr,-y
involved But on :his subject, have no aD5r
tensions. The Colonization Society has dis
tinctIy designated tie extent to which it ses,
the interposition Of the government Of the cou
try. 1t asks only the provisions Of a place and
government for the reception and prolecliond
such persons-of color, as are already free, agS
such others as tile humanity Of ndiUiduas aai The
lars ofthe different States may hereofterLI aa.,-
the necessary encouragement 10, and The neces.
sary facilities for, enigration--and as octaso.
may require it, pecuniary aids TO the State, 70
e6ecting u, such modes as they my choose, The Il
tinction Of Slarery within their re&pectt,s dmttS-
Such and such only, is the interference asked
Nor have | ever met with an individual Of res
pectabe standing, who wished for more; or VIII.
claimed for the government, an authority 10 de-
stroy or in any manner to weaken, rights recOg
nzed and sanctioned by the constitution Of tt,
country.
Is there any thing then in the proposed CO
operation Of the national government conflicting
in the smallest degree with the principles Of llg
constitution? II there could be any doubl, wh,.
Their government invested with al The powers
of war and peace, and specially authorized to
make treaties, could acquire foreign territory
it must have been removed iii relatlch &c Oar
own, by the undisputed purchase .: louisiana
and Florida. These acquisitions were radeF
the treaty making power, and With The money
of the nation, on the ground ihat tEej YOU'D
''lnsure the internal tranquility, and promote
the common defence and tie genera! :'eliaEe
of the country. And take il for granted, tbI
where the same objects shall require the Scqui
stion of other territories, whether o. me coaS
Of Africa or Of America, it may be 2.tecled u.
der the same authority and by the cGre means
and the territory being procured me mos;
sceptical will not pretend to dorbt 'he right Of
congress "to PROVIDE in the language OF 'a
constitution, "the needful rules and regulations,
for its government and protection.
But whence, it may he asked, is derived tie
proposed authority "to afford encouragement
to, and facilities for, emigr alton, and 'pecun!
airy aids TO the states for ehecting the extinction
of slavery within their respective limits" From
the very same source, answer, whence SPRING
the whole power Of appropriation; from TIE at.
thority "to lay and collect taxes, duties Id
posts, to pay the debts ana provide ior The CON-
mon defence & general welfare of the COUNT!
and an authority, evidently imposing nc olle'
Limitation on the power of appropriation, nan
that it be applied exclusively TO promoting INC
general interests of the nation; and II accord
ingly may be, and under every admlnlsFaIor,
has been used in aiding the Accomplishment q
objects not within the reach OF the other Spe'i
fed powers Of the government. 1t is on w" y,
principle, that large sums have been vote'
different times, for making roads AID canaIs'
for ameliorating the condition Of the INDIAN
for giving relief to the inhabitants OF .ara''',.
for restoring captured Africans to their hoH'I,'
for suppressing the slave trade, and above Gu.
for evincing the nations gratitude to zen =.
Fayelte; none Of these different acts can =.
brought within the enumerated powers Oh ~
government. And if its revenue is 10 DC e
pended, only in sustaining these powers; ~,
only must the acts in question, but very la'5s
proportion OF the numerous acts on our S'@''',
book, involving expenditure, be pronou"''~
violations Of the constitutional charter.
Nor is this all Under every other constrV.