Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-02

" >4"o hHO"h Iuis determination, should do
inJustce 10 my own feelings, were TO withhold
the expression of my regret ut bens OBLIGED ~
Withdraw from service, In which | have Leen
treated with SO much kindness
~ mas oeen my constant endeavor to make
suitable return for the generous Confidence and lin
erai and induisent support always accorded me
ana can with sincerity say, carried with IRE in
20 the councils OF the nation, sincere and ardent
desire, 10 promote your happiness and to advance
the best interests of our common countrv-a and ,ba,
me best faculties of my mind have been uniciplt-
ungly employed for tie attainment OF these bigb
objects.
IN government like that Of the United States
containing so many separate and distinct sovereign
''es' ana embracing vast and almost boundless
$50 VI territory, with every variety of interest
ana population 10 foster and protec,-occasional
changes IN Its policy may be reasonably EXPECTED
~ men 1 entered Congress, the late war with G.
britain mad just terminated and the very delicate
anu 'ant DUTY was 10 be undertaken of chang.
ing the attitude which had become necessary in
STATE OF war to one suited to time of peace.
40. MS was accomplished, not without great
o'1-'Nu4y' Oy reducing The establishments of the
country as near as possible to proper standard
consistently with principles of economy and the
oeS' interests oil the naion.-Snce then rapid ad-
Nahces nave been made in strengthening our defen-
ceS by gradual increase Of the navy, and by the
erection OF Notifications at the most vulnerable
points
a material change has been made in The system
OF duties on foreign goods At one time, it was
F.; regarded as The means Of Revenue only had
been found during the successful and prosperous
administration OF Mr. Jefferson even after The re-
peal Oh the internal taxes amply sufficient TO re-
duce very much the National Debt, without i'm
posing new burdens on the People. But the acts
81 10 % and 1924, commonly called Tariff Laws,
look 10 It as an efficient mean of protecting do
nestle manufactures and have accordingly in
creased the duties ioi egn articles so as 10
bic the manufacturer of our country to sell for
n'uch higher prices than he would be obliged to
take under a fair competition with The foreign
suPpy-in effect, taxing the many, for the benefit
OF the fer. OF the baleful effects of such sys
tenn upon The great interests Of the couutry espe-
ci"!iy OF the southern portion of il, il canno, be
necessary 10 speak. All unite in acknow lodging
them
= more serious--and perhaps eventually more
perniciouS change in our policy may be found in
me recent exercise by Congress of the mower TO
adopt general system Of Internal Impro yement
by roads and canals in the different States Seri-
ous-because If carried to the extent contempla-
TED by many oil It's friends it will require vas, re-
sources, and afford objects OF expenditure more
Than sufficient TO exhaust all the surplus Revenues
OF the nation nicious because it cannot fail
much to increase the patronage of Congress and
OIL lhe Executive, already suffcien,ly-if not too
Nca'-ahd because moreover IL may materially
ahect the relations subsisting between the States
and the federal Government much 10 the dispa
rasemeni OF the former. Money is In all
ages and under every form of Government il has
eeen found an efficient instrument in the hands Of
rulers. And iireqrres no prophetic spirit TO fore
tell, that the period is coming, and will soon ar
rive, when tie States by their Legislatures TO avoid
embarrassment 10 their finances, if for no other
cause, will be found at Washington with Memo
rails and Petitions, soliciting from Congress pecu-
mary ad Tor some great scheme of Internal I'm
pToVsment. This will not be granted without
some Equivalent and the States have nothing to
give but political power and tame accuiesence in
the viii ofCOngTess MAY it not be feared that in
ih!s way dependence will be create ed which NAV
impair state Sovereisnty& entlanger that balance
Of power which the wise trainers of the Constitu-
TON so sednlou=ly sought to guarantee
( The existence OF the power ia question has been
denied by many OF our ablest and most experienced
siaiesw en-and never was claimed by either the old
Federal or OLD Repubi can Party during their 70.
specive administrations. Aud should The doctrine
OF constructive and implied powers obtain by
/ which II Is now asserted, IT may be doubted yhe-
Their the powers of the Federal Government ,viII
not depend more upon tie unlimited discretion of
Legislative VII, than ufon any fixed and definite
| rules. II Congress can exercise power to take
the land OF the citizen FOR purposes of Internal
noi-and will not take other property for other
purposes
Whatever differences of opinion in relation TO
! the powers of the Federal Government may owls,
among Southern Politicians at this time think i,
not improbable that in tie course Of few vears
community Of Interest and Of Feeling i viii not
say-oF danger, will unite all in conviction Of
the necessity o'TeiTaining Congress to the exercise
OF such only as are expressly granted including
of course such as are uIie oensabts IL, a.. 81; -
( cuLcn OF the enumerated powers
History lurni.he. absndant evidence fba, al C.o-
yernmenis ha' sooner or later proved either too
GINNING or TOO strong for he people: And not
withdrawing the structure OF our own. without
great vigilance on the part Of the people. ma,
add another 20 the melancholy list Of those. which
from the supineness and Indifference of the Govern
| ed, have proved curse instead Of blessing.
II remains Tor me only 10 say, that since I have
been your Representative, have not knowingly
given vote TO take away single one Of vonr
rghis--or 10 impose any new burden ,nor, yoy,
That ] have erred, have no doubt. II ,youd no
strange d had not But my errors. trust. have
not been wil!ul- certainly not vicious. have
on all occasions consulted my conscience and iudp.
ment as TO my duty and lcarlessly discbaroeJ !,
without regard to any ei,ec, on myself
Permit me, IN conclusion, TO offer vou nv mos,
cordial acknowledgements for your many fayors
and di-inieresied Kindness and TO wish YOU ,bcpn-
intercepted enjoyment Of health happiness and
I pro tpriy.
yery respectfully, your cbedient servant and
friend,
W N. EDWARDS.
Poplar Mount 25tb .5Iay. 1926.
SE1IrTorE iNDtANs The party Of Seminole
indiana, who have been Ter some dsys II, t1is On,
on mission TO Government, loft us on Thurs