Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-09-21

much divided. ought be adopted in consequence OF
that decision, Then ever be adopted -
Apply this new rule to The OF the American Rev
luton The colonies were rem INTO lnlplacabl PR
tics-the tories every where aboupded, and IN some
places ou,numbcred the wings. This continued to
be the state of things throughout the Revolutionary
contest Suppose some tnid, tne-serving wing
had during its progress addressed the public, and
advertng to the discord which prevailed and the
expedicncy of restoring harmony in the land, had
proposed TO abandon postpone the establishment
of liberty and independence until all should agree
in asserting them? The late war was opposed by
powerful and talented parity what would have been
thought Of President Madison, IT, instead Of patriot
ic and euergeric Message. recommending it as the
only alternative TO preserve honor and viudicate
rights, he had come TO Congress with proposal
that we should continue to subm to the wrongs and
degradation infiic ell upon country by foreign
power, because We We're unhapply greatly divided
What would have become of The settlement of the
Missouri question, The Tariff. the Indian bill of the
last session, if the existence of s'rong and almost
equal division in the public councils ought to have
prevented their adoption? The principle is nothing
more less than declaration that the right of tho
majority to cavern must be yielded the persever
ence respecta bity, and numbers of the minority 1t
is in keeping with tho nulfying doctrines of South
Carolina aud is such principle might be expect
ed to be put forth by such Cabinet. The Govern
ment of the United States at this Junc,ure. exhibits
a most remarkable spectacle. 1t is that of a
majority of the Nation having put the pow
crs of Government into the hands of the mi
nority If any one doubt this, let him
look at the clements or the executive, at the
presiding officers of the two Houses, the compost
ton and the chalrmen of the most important COM
mittees, who shape and direct the public business in
Congress. Let him lock, above all, measures the
necessary consequence of such anomalous state of
thngs-In.ernel Improvement, gore, going--the
whole American System threatened, and the triumph
nnt shouts of anticipated victory sounding in
Georgia eStcrtiDs. from the fears of an affrighted
majority OF Congress an Indian Bill which may
PROSTATE all the laws, treaties, and policy which
have regulated relations with the Indians
from the commrn cement of the Government; and
politicians in South Carolina at the same time
brand!shing the torch Of civil and pronoun-
cling unbnundcd eulogiums upon the President for
the good that he has done and the still greater good
which they expect at his hands, in the sacrifice of tie
interests of the majority.
Another reason assigned in the Maysvilie Mes
sage IS, the desire of paving the national debt BIZ
an act passed in the year 1917 annual approprla
ton made Of ten millions of dollars, which were
vested in the Commissioners of1he Sinking Fund to
paw the principal and interest ofthe public debt That
act was prepared and carried through Congress by
one of the bic men that this country ever
Produced whose premature death is to be iarnented
every account; but especially because if he were
now living he would be able, more than unv OF her
man. tn check the extravaganza and calm the violence
raging in South Carolina, his native State Under
the operation of that act, nearly 10000 900 Of the
principal and interest of the public debt were maid
prior to the commencement, of;he present Adunis-
'ralon. During that OF Mr.. Adams, between Forty
and City We're paid, whilst larger appropriations OF
money and land were made, 10 objects of Internal
improvements than ever had been made by all Pre-
ceding adnlinis rations together. There only remain
cd about fifty million to be paid, when the present
Chief Magistrate entered the duties OF that Office
and considerable portion of that cannot be dis
charged during the present official term
The redemp'io ion Of he debt is, therefore the work
OF congress- the president has nothing do with it.
the secretary of the treasury bng directed annual
y to pay the ten millions to the commissioners of the
sinking fund, whose duty is to apply the amount to
the cx;inguishment Of the debt. The secretary him
sell has no to do with the operation thai. the Ky
drants through which the water passes to tho CON
sumption the population Of this city He turns the
cock The first Of January and first OF July in each
year. and the public treasure is poured the pub
lie creditor from the reservoir, filed by the wisdom Of
congress It is evident from this just view of the
matter that congress,to which belongs the care or
providing the ways and means, as competent as
the president to determine what portion of their con-
stituents' money could be applied to the Improvement
OF their condition. AS much of the public debt as
can be paid will be discharged in four years by he
operation of tho sinking fund. have seen, in some
late paper, calculation of the delay which, would
have resulted, in its payment, from the appropriation
to the aysvillc road, and it less than week.
How has it happened that, under the administration
of Mr. Adams, ard during every year of it, such large
and liberal appropriations could be made for inter-
nal improvements, without touching the fund devoted
10 the public debt, and that this administration should
find itself banked i'm it's first year?
The veto message proceeds to INSIST tina, the MAYS
vile and Lexington road is NATIONAL but local
road, of sixty miles length, and confined within
the limits OF particular State, If that document
also asserts, the power cam in case, be exercised
until it shall hsve been explained and defined by an
amendment Of the constitution the discrimination of
rational and local roads would be altogether
What is or is not national road the
Message snpposcs may admit ocoDtroversy and is not
susceptible OF precise definition. The difficulty which
is authors imagine grows out of their attempt to sub
tue rule, founded upon the extent and locality of
he road instead Of the and purposes which it
g applicable. If the road facilitates in eonsidera-
Die degree the transportation of the mail consi
ierablc portion Of the Union and at the same time
promotes 'nternGf commerce Among several States !
and may tend 10 accelerate the movement of armies
ana the distribution Oh the munitions Of it is of
at'onai consideration Tcsfedby this, the true rule,
tne Maysvie road was undoubtedly national. 1t con-
meets the largest body perhaps, Of fertile land in The
Union with the navigation of the Ohio and Mlsss-
sippi rivers and with the canals Of the States of Ohio
Pennsylvania, and New York 1t begins on The line
which divides the States Of Ohio and Kentucky and
of course quckeps trade and intercourse between !
hem. Tested by the character Of obo, ,yort.s e.