Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-01-29

cal happiness draws its origin from the extent of on
republic. 1t has exempted us from most of the caus,
winch distracted the small! republicH Of uptiuu;,y
Let not however, he forgotten, let i, be forevv
Kept al mind that exposes us to- the greatest of al
caiaitles naxt to the loss of liberty and eueu 10 n
! IN sts consequences, disunion. We are great, an
rapidly was about to say fearfilly growing. Thu
| is our pride and our danger our weskness S,d 49,,
strength. Little does he deserve to he ;ntruete,
with the liberties of this people, who does NOT rais,
| his mind to these truths. We are under the mos
mperious obligation to counteract every tendency I,
disunion The strongest OF all cements Is uudoubt
ediy, the wlsdom Justice ond above ell the rno.iern
fon OF this Houses yet the greatest subject ON which
we are NOW dciharang in this respect deserves All.
most serious consideration Whatever impedcs tie
intercourse OF the extremes with this the centre o
tue republic, weakeDs the union Yh. more ens ruey
tne spere OF commercial circulation the more extend
ed that OF social intercourse; the more strongly we
are pound together, the more inxeparcbE are our
dssttutes- Those who understan the humpn hs, :,
best, know how powerfully distance tends to breal
tho sytnpathies OF our nature, Nothing, cot even
sss'letHy 9taanguage, tehds more to estranse man
from man. Let Us then bind the republic topether
with perfect system of roads and canals et ~.
conquer space. 1t is thus the most distant mart I
The republic viii be brought within few nys travel
OF the cent? il is thus that citizen of the woe,
will read the news of Boston still moist frnn, lie
press. 49,
ahe mail and the press the nerves Of the BODY
PoHuc.. by them the slightest impression ulpds on
the most remote part Is communicated TO the whole
system and the more perfect the means Of trsnsnor
talon. the more rapid and true the vibration. 20
aid uS 10 this great work. maintain the ptegrv ef
.us rePncNc, we ihhaait a country presenting the
ul"st admirable advantages. Belted around as il is
by lakes apd oceans, ntcrsec,ed in every direction
by bays and rivers. the hand of industry and art s
tempted to Improvement. So situated blessed with
q norm or government at once combinirr liberty md
strength, we may reasonably raise our eve, 10 mos,
splendid future, 1t We only act manner ypor thv Of
our advantages. Ii, however nruectina them. ma
permit tosO sorda ssa and sectional apIi, TO take
lSD n9llfl nnft h,c III
will divide, and in liz coIse ausnces will follow
alisery and despotis1.
10 ieglsase tor our country requires not ONLY the
most enlarged views, but species of seifdevotioa
not eXacted 10 any other. In country SO extern
sipe, and various in lis .eres,s what Is recessn
~ Tor the common good, may apparently be- opposed
To the nteredt OF particular sections. 1t must be
submitted to the cozdiiv,, Of our rentness Rnt
were we small republic, were we confined 70 the
ten miles square, the selfish Instincts of our
might, IN most cases, be- relied on, Ia the mana pe
ment of public affairs.
Such then, being the obrious Advantages of inter
mol improvements, why should the House hesitate TO
commence the system? understand there are, with
some members, constitutional objections. The DOW
er OF Congress Is objected to; frs that they have
none to cut road or canal through state withant
Its consents and next, that The public moneys can
only be appropriated effect the particular MOWERS
enumerated m the constitution. The first Of these
particular road canal is proposed to be cut throuah
any state. The bill simply appropriates money 70
the general purpose of improving the means of cnr
munication. When bill IS introduced to apply the
money TO particular object in any state, then ami
not taH then, will the question be fairly before a.
shall give no opinion on this point. IN fact scarce-
ly think ii worth the discussion, since the GOOD sense
of the states may be- relied on. Pbey will in Mi
cases, readily yield their assent. The fsur Is IN
different direction; in too great sulictude
to obtain an undue share to be expended within
their respective limits. In fact, l understand
that this Ii not the objection insisted on II
is mainly urged, that Congress can only apply the.
public money IN execution of the enumerated bowers
am no advocate for refined arguments on the con-
stituton lhe instrument not Intended as the.
SIS for the loglcan to exercise his ingenuity on II
ought to be construed with plain, good sense: and
what can be express, than the constitution ON
this very point The first power delegated TO Con-
giessIs mprfzed In these werds; Ito lay and COL
ect taxes, dutes impos's and excises to paw the
debts and provide for the common dinee and general
welfare of the United States but all duties imposs
and excuses shall be uniform throughout the Uni efi
states bIrst, the power is given to lay taxes; next
the objects are enumerated to which the money ac-
crung from the exercise of this power may be ap-
ped-to pay debts, provide for the defence and pro-
mote the general welfare; and last the rule for Law
ing the taxes is prcscribcd-tbat oil duties iipposts
and excuses shall be uniform, IF the framery had in
tended to limit the Of the money 10 the powers Of
forwards enumerated and Defined nothing could be
more easy than to have expressed IT plainly knoa
u is The opirs;on OF some, that The words to nav tho
Debts ard provide for the common defence md opr
erai welfare" which have just cited we're moi in
tended to be referred to the power of laying taxes
contained IN the 6rs part of tie section but that thew
are TO be understood as distinct and independent now
ers' granted in general terms; and are qualified, by
more detailed enumeration Of powers, in the suisse.
quent part OF the constitution. IF such wete IN fact
the meaning, surely nothing can be conceived more
bungllng and awkward than the manner IN which The
trainers have nicated their intention IF it vert
their intention 10 make summary of the powers O.
Congress, IN general terms, which wore afjerwatd,
TO- particularly defined and enumerated they should
have told as so plainly and dstinctly and if the word
"to pa The debts and provide for the common deeace
and general welfare" were intended for this sumnra
ry, they should have headed the list of powers, and
should have been stated, that effect these pencru
objects, the follow specific powers were granted
VIII ask the members to read the section with at
tention, and it will, conceive plainly appear thu
such could not hive been the intention q,be whole
section seems 70 me to be about taxes. I, plainl,
commences and ends with it, and nothing could b.
more strained than to suppose the intermediate words
ITO pay the debts and provide for the common defence
and general welfare" to be taken as Independent