Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-03
sELECTIows.
Remarks on Mr.. Dickerson's speech,


Tue national creditors 10 receive the capi.al of
me STOCK which they hold, or rather, rs Mr.. ID.
e"Pr esses II " their Willingness to let the stock
! euia!h unpaid Tor any length of time provided
they receive the Interest," should have no infi,.
ehce at all in the national councils: because The
Ifohts OF lie holders form no part nf the present
inquiry. The general government is bound 10 sc
cure the rights of indv idual- and tn consal, the
national safety before any consii Grafton OF ind
viiual advantage.
ha' previous to resplsing in what way 10 en-
Ioy the surplus revenue two questions arise: first
'he r'sht and the policy of raising more tbln the
expenses oil government require and second, the
rohsn'ufionaiy OF dividing it, if raised, among
the different states
Inc present system Of impos,s and duties will
necessarily be kept in operation for the pnI poses
" revenue amer The extiIguishment of the debt:
'or showing peace and our presen, prosperity TO
con niue, comasr- lively large amount of income
WI De necessary Tor the annual expenditure -
diminishing the rate OF lutie. on some of the ne
ce-safies ct lie would be great a relief TO ma
ny, ,ha' me experiment would be worth making;
and II Us believed by Mr.. u and Others. tina,
su'n step would increase tie treasury receipts
ny sniarglng the ratio OF consumption However
h"' might be, II The debt was paid, commerce
prosperous, and the country IN the enio,nen. of
peace, there cnn be no doub. That W. h modera-
ted duties on some article, AID increased dutie.
on other, not deemed necessary for life, there
"oniu always remain surplus, ii expenditures
We're pruden'ly administered
On this point Mr. Dickerson's views are a..
follows: - Should the contemplated reduction of
dRiies upon teas coffee, wines, aud other subjects
eoi'sumed' but not produced in be u. S. ates, axe
place, II wouid not cause corresponding r-duc-
non OF our revenue. The increased consumption
OF 'he'e articles would be nesr,s IN direct ratio
with the decrease! rate of duties. Hisupon this
footing expressly, That gentlemen who advocate
'Asse rednctons have placed the saect''
BESIDES, tie urgency is d'ily increasing up
Oh Us 10 add 10 our revenue, by excise upon do.
nestle spirits, and higher duties upon foreign II
many parts OF the country in,oxicalion prevail. 10
'u'n a deg ee that business to be performed by
common labonrers is almost at stand While
wh'ssey, rum, or gin, can be procured at from
20 to 30 cents the gallon, Drunkenness mus, pre-
vail. 10 the loss OF many Thousands Of lies an
nnSliy. The evil has become alarming, and calls
loudly Tor remedy
II i, shall be settled hereafter tina, government,
nave sishi TO raise more revenue than their ex-
penses require; and that the division of part OF
by Congress among the different states is not
Unconstitutional, Mr.. Dickerson's plan of ds,ri-
button appears to u to be based upon PRINCIPLES
OF wi'd m and equity. He observes, .~Itis no,
intended by this bill to exercise any control over
Distributed TO the states. /, isnot necessary to
inquire whether Congress have this power OF con-
trol or not, when 1t Is very evident that i, would
be lneSpedient TO exercise il, even if ,hsy have
II. No up:'3rn rule could be adopted as 10 The
objects 10 which these funds should be applied in
The different states. The states themselves can
judge much better for themgelves, than Congress.
ca Judge for them.
y" The snbject OF improvements being made by
he ~
statement of facts relative to the Cumberland
Road which are conclusive as regards the eype
dency OF vesting the controul OF such works in
the general government. His remarks on placing
the Ju isdiction over the improvements after they
are made in Congress, equally forcible.
Z" grand national system of Internal improve
ments already presents front that is truly for
mIdable. II not arrested, il will destroy yvha, re-
mains OF the federae principle Of our Cons,ilu-
ton will olliterate The lines by which State
rights have been hete ofore defined ard reduce our
Union of cooiedera ed States to a Consolidate
Government.
Projects are already on foot for extending
more than h'ndred millions of dollars, bv the
arm Of the General Government. Or desks and
tables groan with the number and weigh of appli-
cations for. and reports on, roads snd canals
:" This District, it seems, is TO be the centre. 10
which many OF these magnificent in, provenents are
10 tend. The grea, Naiionsl Cumbe, land Road
Is to be continued TO Ibis place. great National
Road il thus TO be made from this place TO Ne,y
OTleans- great National Road from this plsce
TO Buffalo; and very great National Cana,
from ibis place 10 the waters beyond the
Western mountains, with more than three
thousand feet OF locksgs; ard a great Ma
donal tunnel. OF four OF FIVE miles through In.
rocky summit Of the Allegheny, by which the w.
tiers OF the fonshiogeny are 10 mingle with those
OF the Potomac 10 cost twenty or thirty mil
lions OF dollars; and how many more roads, and
canals, from this place. know not
60 II we adopt this grand National sys,en of
Internal Improvement, The two Halls of Congress
VIII become the scenes Of scramble for the public
money.
What is New England TO gain in all thiq.
where, Tor hundf ed years past, they have been
improving their roads by the application Of their
own means, and have brought them to high state
OF perfection and where they are willing 10 make
all The canals they want without tie interference
OF the General Government? What j. New York
10 gain in this This State has expended ten or
twelve millions Of dollars on Internal Improve
ments without the aid Of The United States
when this aid was asked, it was deemel against
the Constitution TO grant il. Will the United
States restore to New York part OF the sums
she has expended upon roads and canals, Or
VIII she, after making her roads and canals, be
taxed 10 make roads and canals in other S,afes9
" What has New Jo'sey, or indeed any of the
old Siates, 10 the North or South OF the State.
Immediately adjoining his District, TO gain in this
scramble for the public money?
" This greet national system Of Tntein,i I'm.
provement, u adopted, Will lead TO the mos, ex
tensivs scene Of profIsion and waste OF our pub
lie treasure. All our experience 81 works con.
Quoted Ivy the United States, proves This. Our
public buildings and Notifications would afford
an Impressive chapter upon this subject a, pre-