Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-11

educating his children. Thus, in the iullnsss OIL
fine every man would become capable OF APP
nreciating his rights and prepared to maintain
the happy government under which we live
The means of accomplishing these happy re-
suits, are fully within our reach, and their Ju-
dicious application opens to the patriotic states
man prospects OF u~nfading glory. In yentur.
ing these suggestions to you, / stand sustained
by the opinions of the most illustrious civilian
that this country has ever produced, and by the
bright and shining examples of other States.
Next 10 the duty Of guarding and protecting
the public liberty by wholesome and necessary
enaciments, stands that OF advancing by a wise
system of legislation, the public wealth and
prosperity. This is i%njoined upon us by the
most solemn considerations Nor have your
predecessors rendered themselves amenable 10
the charge Of neglect Of duty by a disregard OF
this Injunction. The Fund for Internal I'm
p%rovement now amounting to the sum of 81
o4s, 439 80, deserves greatly to be cherished
Defects may exist in its organization, but ifthe
interest arising from it were judiciously appli.
ed in aid of works, which, when completed,
would yield a return in the shape of dividends,
it would produce incalculable benefits.
By the adherence TO such principle, its am
cunt would rapidly be INCREASED; and would
IeaQ 10 CONSEQUENCES vi tiC Ioo IiPOild lila
racter, while the hand of the tax-ga:herer in
aid of it, would be wholly unknown 10 the peo-
pie. Working gradually and silently, its exis-
tence would only be ascertained by the blessings
i. would dispense. But, while this Fund is
destined in the progress Of time under proper
management, TO bring about a most extensive,
if not an universal improvement in the face Of
the country, it must not be concealed, that ii is,
and must Of necessity be for many years to
come, inadequate to the achievement of those
great works which it is now important 20 con-
struct. For these purposes, the Legislature
will have TO rely or other resources Govern
ed by those wise and beneficent motives, which
have heretofore ruled the legislation of the
state, | will not doubt but that ready aid will
be given to such Improvements on a large
scale as heretofore have, or may hereafter sug-
gest themselves, to the wisdom Of the General
Assembly. The resources of the State are un-
deniably abundant for the accomplishment OF
these great OBJ lects; and the wisdom OF Sc APP
plying them is, not only obvious 10 the imme-
diate and widespread benefits which will with
certainty be produced, but also in the perma-
nency which will thereby be given to the Con-
~stitution of the United States, by restraining
within the letter and true meaning of their
powers, the administrators Of the General Go
vernment. 1t may well be considered, that
more danger is to be apprehended 10 the state
authorities by the exertion Of the assumed
power over roads .and canals by the General
Government, than from almost any other source.
IT holds out the tender Of the strongest bride
which can be offered to a people inhabiting a
country yet in its infancy, and which invites
the exertions Of man to its improvement in al
most every direction. 1t is a temptation thrown
in the way Of the politician, and the great body
Of the people, to mislead them from a true con-
s~truction of the CONSTITUTIONAL the name of
patriotism it sketches out TO the dazzled under
standing unfading beauties-a country, now
wild, reduced by its influence 10 order and re-
gularity--a people, united by their devotion to
liberty, but separated by immense chains of
mountains which it proposes 10 level or other
wise to subdue. 1t promises TO render naviga-
BILE, rivers and streams on whose bosoms no
boat laden with the products of industry has yet
hoated, and to bind the States together with
lndissoluble bonds. Thus it attempts TO veil
and conceal from observation its features of u
surpation. If usurpation did not dress itself in
smiles, how could it ever hope to succeed? The
people of this State, however, have not been
shaken in their allegiance to the Constitution,
by the offer Of this splendid inducement. They
have looked 10 the instrument, to ascertain by
what authority the General Government has
thus ventured to interfere with the police and
soil of the States; and they have found nothing
in that grant of power justifying such interior
ence. They have then detected the usurpa,ion;
for if the power ae not there, it is no where.
They regard it in the odious, but deserved light
Of the forerunner Of other and still greater usur-
pa,ions. Where, in fact, shall be fixed the Ii
mits Of federal power, if the mere right" TO es-
tabHsh post roads" shall give the power now to
turnpike a road which has been established q
post road from the foundation Of the govern
ment? These words introduced into the Con
~stitution for no other purpose than TO protect
the mail from interruption, either by an edict
Of the State government or hindrance from any
other quarter, have from the very organization
of the government, received their interpreted
ton. Post roads have been established by acts
of Congress without number, through every
portion OF the Union; and no one ever dreamed
that by the phraseology Of those acts (the same
in substance with that used in the Constitution
Congress ever intended to do more than to au-
,horise the Postmaster General to transmit the
mail along the roads thus particularly designa-
ted. Yet, if in opposition to the uniform expo
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