Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-12-11

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put down in moment; bat I have full
confidence in the delegated successors.
that every thing will be done, TO re-
Instate written Constitution, accord
ing to their understanding fits original
meaning ard extent
Intimately connected with this spb.
jeet' | consider the several tariff acts to
be- which have been passed, not for rails
ing revenue their only legitimate object,
10 my best judgment. but for protecting
manufactures; different, end even in.
compatible object For whatever c,ay
have been the inducements TO the mas
| sage OF these acts, il must be admitted
that IN their practical operations, they
stand amongts the foremost of the MANY
usurpations of the general government.
1t IS far from ne to impugn the motives
OF the advocates OF these measures. or
to condemn any one for his honest op,n.
ions. however different from my own.
and inow deem it proper 10 state, that
after the subject of the tariff had been
several times laid before the I.egisla.
ture, regret the necessity which impels
me to bring il again into notice; but l
could not avoid doing so, without the
sacrifice of conscietious duty, for
selfish purposes This imperious obi.
CATION arises from the circumstances.
that another Tariff Act has been passed.
since the rising of the late General As.
sembiy, equally unwarran,able as be-
lieve, in principle, with the rest, and
more injurious in its operations; and
also from an alarming and instructive
tact, developed in is passage, exhibit
ing il in its true colours in its most i'm.
portant features That fact is-ihat e.
very representative OF the people, ia.
habiting the oppressed course of eoun-
try from the Potomac to the Gulf of
MEXICO, however. however differing ia
political opinions upon other subjects
voted against the passage OF that act
Here then is exhibited in the republican
system, the political anomaly OF tax
of the most unjust character imposed,
not only without the consent, but a
gainst the votes of all, and the most So
lemn protesfations of many, OF the re-
personalities OF the people, most aeavi-
ly bearing its urthens-americaL 10
dependence was originally founded upon
the principle, that representation was
the only legitimate basis Of taxation, and
the secgrity Afforded the people 10y this
great principle consisted, in the Repre-.
sentative S being subjected himself, to
any tax imposed upon his constituents
enforced by the potent tie of direct
responsibility from the one 10 the otber.
This principle is still held sacred, and
forms the basis OF the Fundamental laws
of every republic OF this Union. 10 d.
rect violation of this sacred principle,
this Tariff A CT imposes tax, not by the
representatives of the people. bearing
the burthen, bat By representatives OF
district sections Of country who instead
of participating in the burthens of the
taxes imposed, calculate upon participa
ting in the receipts of the proceeds of
those very impositions, in the absence
of all direct responsibility from the re-
preventative imposing the tax, to the
people bearing its burthen. How difte-
rent is this frightful picture of the Con-
stitution from that, which has been here
tofore presented to our enchanted view?
{ We have been heretofore told, aud be.
[ lieyea. that the Constitution of tie Uni.
1 ted States was a written constitution OF
limited powers that it was called tor
from external causes, and its jurisdic-
ton limited to general and external OBJ
iects- but that its greater excellence
consisted in the protective, fedsrative
principle. That legal authorities exist
ed. and were invested with the express
power of taking care of local interests.
| Instead of this most enchanting picture,
we now end, in the one exhibited in the
tariff acts, that local interests OF differ
emf sections, far from being left to the
protection of their local authorities, are
transferred to the safe keeping OF other
sections. combining for their own inter.
ests. aud acting under the influence OF
directly hostile and Opposing Interests,
to other interests, thus strangely intrus'
ted 10 their guardianship.-Th These add
ltional facts and remarks are now pre-
seoted to the General Assembly. whicn
will give full view of the whole snbJeet,
and i is now most respectfully submit
ted. as il heretofore has been exclusively
-