The Arkansas advocate., 1830-07-07


 we not ourselves find, in its effect, an additional guarantee, that our political institutions will be transmitted to the most remote posterity without delay? !? A course of policy destined to witness events like these cannot be benefited by legislation, which tolerates a scramble for appropriations that have no relation to any general system of improvement, and whose good effects must ofnecessity be very limited. In the best view ot these appropriations, the abuses to which they lead far exceed the good which they are capable of promoting. They may be Tesorted to as artfiil eype- dicnts to shift upon the Government the losses of unsuccessful private specula- tion, and thus, by rninistering to person. al ambition and self aggrandizement, tend to sap the foundations ofpublc vir- tue, and taint the administration of the Government with a demoralizing infu- ence.
 In the other view of the subject, and the only remaining one which 1t is my intention to present at this time, IS in- yolyed the expediency Of embarking in q system of internal improvement with out a previous amendment of the Consti- tuition, explaining and defining the pre- else powers of the Federal Government over #, Assuming the right to appro- priate money to aid in the. construction It, the contemporaneou and continued ex- position of the Constitution, it's insuffi- ciency for the successful prosecution of them must be admitted by all candid minds. If we look to usage to define the extent of the right, that will be found so variant, and embracing so much that has been oyerruled, as to in- volve the whole subject in great uncer- tainty, ,andt render the execution of our respective duties in relation to it, re- plete with difficulty and embarrass- ment. 1t is in regard to such works, and the acquisition of additional terri tory, that the practice obtained it's first footing. Inmost, if not all other disput- ed questions of appropriation, the con- struction of the Constitution may be regarded as unsettled, if the right to apply money, in the enumerated cases, is placed on the ground of usage.
 This subject has been one of much, and may add painful, reelection to me. 1t has bearings that are we'll calculated to exert powerful influence upon our hitherto prosperous system of Govern ment, and which, on some accounts may evea excite despondency in the breast ofaa American citizen. l will not de- tain you with professions of zeal tn the cause ofilternal Improvements. lfto De their friendis a virtue, which de- serves oofnnendation, our country IS blessed with ar abund lnce of 1t. for I do not suppose there is an intelligent citizen, who does not wish to see them flourish. But though all are their friends, but few, trust, are unmindim ofthe meansby which they should be pro- moted: none certainly are so degenerate as to desire their success at the cost of that sacred instrument, with the preser- vatioa of which Is indissolubly bound our conntry's hopes. If different inn pressions are entertained in any quar- ter;If 1t IS expected that the people of this country, reckless of their constitu- tionai obligations, will prefer their local interest to the principles of the Union; such expectations will in the end be dis appointed; or. if 1t be not so, then in- deed has the world but little to hope for from the example offree government.- When an honest observance of constitu- tioaal colnpacts cannot be obtained from communities like ours, 1t need not be anticipated elsewhere; and the cause in witch there has been so much mar tyrdom, and from which so much was expected by the friends of liberty. may heabatidoned, and the degrading truth thatmanis unfit for self-governnent. aa- mitted. And this viii be the case. if erpeassaey be made rule of construc- ton in interpreting the Constitution. Power, in no government, could desire n better shield for the insidiotis adiyaf- ces which it is ever ready to make up- on the cheeks that are designed to re- strain it's action.
 But dc net entertain such gloomy apprehensions. If it be the wish of the people that the construction of roads and canals should be conducted by the Federal Government, 1t is not only highly cxpedient but indispensably necessary, that previous amendment oftae Constitution, dsiegating the ne-