Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-09-21
wv hole No. l442.

Is there any thing. then, in the nro-
posed cooperation OF the National Gov
eminent, conflicting IN the smallest do.
gree with the principles of the Con,,;.
tution' Ii there could be any Doubt
whether a Government. invested with
oil The powers of war aud peace. and
specially authorized 10 make treaties.
could acquire foreign territory, ii must
have been removed in relation to orr
own, by the undisputed purchase Of
Louisiana and Florida. These acouis.
itlons were made by the treaty-maising
power, and with the money Of the ma
ton, on the ground that thew would ''in-
sure the internal tranquility, and pro-
mote the common defence and the gem
eral welfare OF the country. And
take II for gtsuied, that where the same
objects shall require the acquisition Of
other territories, whether on the coast
OF Africa or Of america, tmay be ef-
fected under the same authority and by
the same means, and the territory be-
ing procured, the most sceptical will
not pretend TO doubt the right of Con-
gress ",o provide," in the language of
the Constitution. she n.eeful rule,
and regulations FOR its government and
protection,
But, whence, il may be asked, is de-
rived the proposed authority ito afford
encouragement, to, and facilities for.
emigration and 'pscuuiary aids to the
States Tor eheeting the extinction Of sla-
very within their respective limiis"'
From the very same source, answer,
whence springs the whole Ipower of APP
preparation; from the authority ito Law
and collect taxes, duties, imposts, to
pay the debts and provide for the COM
mon defence and general welfare of tho
country" and an authority, evidently
imposing on other limitation on the pow
er OF appropriation, than that il be APP.
piled exclusively to promoting the gem
eral interests Of the nation; and il ac-
cordingly may be, and under every adj
ministratIon has been, used In aiding tho
accomplishment OF subjects not within
the reach of the other specified powers
of the Government. II is on this pfin-
ciple, that large sums have been voted,
at different times, for making roads and
canals, for meliorating the condition of
the Indians, for giving relief TO the In
babilaats Of Casaccas, for restoring cap
tured Africans TO their homes, for sup
pressing the slave trade. and, above ALL,
for evlncing the nations gratitude TO
Gen. i.afay cite: none of these diifcrrnt-
/ acts can be brought within the enumer-
ated powers of the Government. And
fits revenue is TO be expended only in
sustaining those powers, not only must
the acts in question, but very large
proportion OF the numerous acts on our
statute book, involving expenditure, be
pronounced violations of the constitu-.
lionsl charter.
Nor is this all Under every other
construction. than that for which con-
tend, the People will have effectuaily
defeated, by an injudicious Distribution
of their powers and resources, their own
prosperity; Cor having given to the Gen.
eral Government the srelasirs power Of
raising revenue from commerce, while
to the States they have reserved many
of the most important powers of govern
ment, they will have given to the one,
abundant resources, which cannot be-
used for want Of objects on which to ex-
pend them, and 10 the other, important
powers, which cannot be exercised for
want Of revenue TO sustain them: and
the only possible mode of avoiding the,
difficulty viii be To give to the appropri.
ating clause of the constitution the con-
struction warrented by its TERMS
construction authorizing its application
to every measure OF general Interest,"
whether il be to the education Of iha
People, the Improvement Of the coun-
try, or the removal of an injurious poru-.
lation from our shores.
have thus, my dear sir, in compile
ance with your request, given you, in
very great haste, (''currente cslamo,n
as you will perceive, my thoughts on
this interesting subject fit viii be Of
any service TO sou, to show that such
sentiments prevail in the South you are
at liberty to make what use you please
of my letter.
With very sincere regard. your friend.
w IA. F!TZHTEH