Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-12-09

LESSONS OF npsor xoa in the cause Of internal inn
Ptosemcnt aru DISPOSITION to lavish tho public funds
upon objects Of that character aro daily and
put forth by aspirants power constituting tho
highest claims 10 he confidence OF the people Would
be strange under such circumstances and m times
great excitement, that grants Of this description
should hnd their motives in objects which mu nnt &C
cord with the public good,-rhose who have not had
occasion to see regret the indication of sinister in
nuence In these i'm % Il times yc been more
fortunate than in their OF the course
Of public Affairs IF to these evils be added the
combinations and angry contentious to which such
course "i things gives rise. with their bansul inu
enccs upon the legislation of Congress touching the
leading and appropriate duties of the Federal Gov.
ernmcnt 1t was but Diving justice to the character Of
our Psnpe to expect the condemnation Of the
past which the recent exhibition Of public sentiment
has eviaced
MOI, hing short of radical change in the action Of
the Government upon the subject con, in NY
opinion, remedy the evil. IL, as il would be natural
10 cNnect the States which have been lsas, favored
past appropriations should insist being redressed
IN those hereafter to be made at the expense of the
States which have largely and disproporiona,ev
participated, WI have as matters stand but little
security that tho attempt would do than change
the Inequality from one quarter to another.
Ihis viewing the subject have heretofore felt
my dnty t. recommend the adoption of some plan for
the distribution ofthe surplus funds which may at any
eme remain IN the treasury after the national debt
snail have been paid, among the States, in proportion
10 the number OF their representatives. to be applied
oy them to objects Of intern Il improv ement.
Although this plan has met with tavor in som
portns ut the Union. it has also elected obie .ticns
which merit deliberate consideration, A brief notice
OF these objections here, will not, therefore trust
be regarded as out of Place.
/ They rest, as far a. they have come to my know
ledge on the Following grounds: 1st an direction to
the ratio o distribution; Cd an thnt the
existence OF such a regu!at ow ,ud produce mpro-
vdent anu opp'e sive taxation to raise the funds for
distribution; Sd, that the mode proposed would lead
cfrnrf tnnn F g.
exclusion of such are general aud as would con-
sequen'Iy be OF more useful character: and last
That 1t would create discrcditable and injurious
dependence, on the part Of the State Governments
upon The federal p'wer Ofthose who object to he
ratio of representation the basis of dist bution
ONE insists that the import atoms of The respective
y ates would constitute that would be more
equitable; and o. hers. again that the extern, Of their
respective territories would furnish standard which
would be more expedent, and sufficiently equitable
me ratio of representation presented itself to NV
mind. and it still does. one of obvious equity be-
cause OF its being The ratio Of contribution,
whether The funds to be distributed be derived from
the custom or from direct taxation Ii does not
follow however, that its adoption is indispensable to
the establishment of the system proposed. There
may DC CONSIDERATIONS oppertalning to the subject
which would render departure, to some extent
from the rHe If contribution, proper.-Nor in il nh
solutey necessary that tho basis Of distribution be
confined to one ground. IL may if, in tho judment
OF those whose right it is to fix it, it b. deemed
pot'ca and Just to give II that character, have re-
gard to several
In my first message. stated it to be nv op;n,on
that at Is not probable that any adjustment of the
tar upon principles satisfactory to the people of the
Union VIII, until a remote period if ever leave the
Government without considerable surplus in the
treasury, beyond what may be required for its cur
rent service" have had no cause TO chanpe that
opinion, but much to confirm it. Should these ex-
peciations be realized. suitable fund would thus be
produced for the plan under consideration To operate
upon; and 1t there be such fund. its adoption will
In my opinion, work no injury to any interest, for
cannot assent to the business Of the apprehension that
the establishment OF the proposed system would tend
10 the encouragement of improvdcnt legislation of the
character supposed. Whatever the proper authority
IN The exercise Of constitutions power shall at any
time hereafter decide 20 be for the general GOOD will
in that in her respects deserved and receive the
acquiescence and support the whole Country; and
we have ample security that every abse of power in
that regard, by the agents of the people, will receive
speedy and effoctua corrective at their bnnds Tho
views which take of the future founded on the OH
vlous and increasing Improvement of all classes of
OF our fellow citizens in Intelligence, and in public
and private virtue, leave me without much apprc-
hension that head
do not doubt that those who come after us will
be as much alive as We to the obligation upon
oil the trustees ofPocal power to exempt those for
whom they act from oil unnecessary burthens and as
sensible of the great truth that the of the
nation beyond those required for the immediate and
necessary purposes Of Government, can no where be
so well deposited in the pockets of tho peo-
pie
1t may sometimes happen that tho interest of mar
tcular States would not be deemed to coincide with
the general interest in relation to Improvement with
IN such Ststes But ifthe danger 10 be apprebended
from this source is sufficient to require it, discre
ton might be reserved to Congress to drec, to such
improvements OF q general character as the S. ates
concerned might not be disposed to unite in the an
plicaton OF The quotas of those States, under the
restriction of combining to each State the expenditure
OF ITS appropriate quota 1t may, however be assn
med as safe general rule, that such improvements
as serve to increase the prosperity of the Respective
states IN which they are made, by giving now facil-
ties to trade. and thereby augmenting the wealth
ard comfort of their nhnbants constitute tho sures,
mode OF comforting permanent and substa ntal advar-
tages upon tho whole. The strength rs well az the
true glory of the confedsrcy mainly founded on tho
prosperity md power of the several independent
sovereigniIes OF which 1t is composed, and the cor
tainty with which they can be brought into snccoss
M active Cooperation through the agency Of the
Federal Government.
1t is moreover, within the knowlelg of such os re
al all conversant with public affairs that schemes ,f
internal Improvement have, from time To time