The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-12-16

ucgtee OF Satisfaction from the rellcctiOn.
that, If have mistaken the interests aud
wishes of the people, the Constitution al
lords the means of soon re redlessing the er-
ror, by selecting for the place their ia
vor has bestowed upon me, a citizen
whose opinions may accosd with their
own. l trust, IN the mean time, the in
tcrcsts of the nation will be saved from
prejudice, by rigid application of that
portion of the public funds which might
otherwise be applied TO different objects
to that highest of all our obligations, the
payment of the public debt, and an OPP
portunitv be afforded for the adoption of
some better rule for the operations of the
government in this matter than any
which has hitherto been acted upon.
Profoundly impressed with the impor.
tance of the subject not merely as it re-
lates to the general prosperity of the
country, but to the safety Of the federal
system, l cannot avoid repeating my
earnest hope that all good citizens, who
take proper interest in the success
and harmony of our admirable political
institutions, and who are incapable of de-
, string to convert an opposite state of
things into means for the qualification of
personal ambition, will, laying aside mi
nor considerations, and discarding local
prejudices, unite their honest exertions
to establish some fixed general principle,
which shall be calculated to effect the
greatest extent of public good in regard
to the subject of internal Improvement
and afford the least ground for sectional
discomfort.
The general ground of my objection to
local appropriations has been heretofore
expressed; and shall endeavor to avoid
repetition ofwhat has already been urg-
ed-the Importance of sustaining the
State sovereignties, as far as is consis-
tent with the rightiul action OF the Foder.
al Government, and of preserving the
greatest attainable harmony between
them. | will now only add an express
sion of my conviction-a conviction
which every days experience serves to
contirm-that the political creed which
inculcates the pursuit Of those great OBJ
jects as paramount duty is the true faith,
and one to which we are mainly indebt-
cd for the present success of the entire
Z IL,
=, for its future stability.
That there are diversities in the inter-
est of the different States which compose
this extensive contederacy, must be ad
mitted. Those diversities arising from
situation, climate, population, and pur-
suit, and doubtless, as 1t Is natural they
should be greatly exaggerated by jeal-
ouses, and that spirit OF rivalry so insep-
arabic from ncighboring communities.
! These circumstances make II the duty of
those who are entrusted with the man
agement Of its affairs to neutralize their
effects as far as practicable, by making
the beneficial operation of the Federal
Government as equal and equitable a
mong the several States as can be done
consistently with the great end of It's in
sttution.
1t is only necessary to refer to undoubt-
ed facts, to see how far the past acts of
the Government upon the subject under
consideration have fallen short of this
object. The expenditures heretofore
made for internal Improvements amount,
to upwards of FIVE millions of dollars,
and have been distributedin very unequal
proportions amongst the States. The
estimated expense of works of which sur
veys have been made, together with that
of others projected and partially survey
ed, amount to more than nincty-six mil
lions of dollars.
That such Improvements, on account
Of particular circumstances, may be
more advantageously and benefcially
made i'm some States than in others, Is
doubtless true; but that they are of a
character which should prevent an equit-
able distribution of the funds amongst
the several States, is not to be conceded.
The want of this equitable dlstribu-
ton cannot fail to prove prolific source
of irritation amongst the States.
We have it constantly before our eyes,
that professions of superior zeal In the
cause of internal improvement, and a
disposition to lavish the public funds up.
OH objects Of that character, are daily
and earnestly put forth by asPiranis tc
power, as constituting the highest claims
, to the confidence of the people. Woult
it be strange, under such circumstances
and in times of great excitement, tha
! grants of this descrip iption should fin'
! their motives in objects which may no
accord with the public good' Thos'
!, who have not had occasion to sec am
,, regret the indignation of sinister In
!. fluence i'm these matters IN past times
/, have been more fortunate than myself II
1. - .f,l