Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-29

Quoted by the Federal Government, 1t is not Os'y
highlyeIpedient, but indispensably necessary, that
a provisions amendment of the Constitution del.
egating the necessary power, and defining & re-
s%tricting its exercise with reference to the sover-
eighty of the States, should be made. Without
it, nothing extensively useful can be effected. The
right to exercise as much jurisdiction as necessary
to preserve the works. and to raise funds by the
collection of tolls to keep them in repair, cannot be
dispensed with. The Cumberland road should be
an instructive admonition of the consequences of
acting without this right. Year after year, con-
tests are witnessed, growing out of efforts to OBJ
tain the necessary appropriations for completing
aud repairing this useful work. Whilst one
Congress may claim and exercise the power. a
succeeding one may deny it, aud this fuctuation
of opinion must be unavoidabiy fatal to any
scheme, which, from its extent, would promote
the interests and elevate the character of the
country. The experience of the past has shown
that the opinion of Congress i~ssubject to such
fluctuations.
fit be the desire Of the people that the agency
of the Federal Government should be confined
to the appropriation of money. in aid of such I'M
derlakings, in virtue of State authorities, then
the occasion, the manner, and the extent of the
appropriations, should be made the subjecto of con-
stitutional regulation. This is the more necessa-
~, i'll order that they may be equitable among
the several States; promote harmony between
different sections of the Union and their Repre-
sentatives; preserve other parts of the Constitu-
ton from being undermined BY the exercise of
doubtful powers. or the too great extension of those
which are not so: and protect the whole subject
against the deleterious influence of combinations
to carry, by concert, measures which considered
by themselves, might meet but little countenance.
That a constitutional at adjustment ofthis power,
upon equitable principles, is, in the highest degree,
desirable, can scarcely be doubted; nor can it
fail to be promoted by every sincere friend to the
success of our political institutions. In no Gov
eminent are appeals to the source of power, IN
cases of real doubt, more suitable than in ours.
No good motive can be assigned for the exercise
of poverty the costituted authorities, while those,
for whose benefit it is to be exercised, have not con.
ferred it. aud may not be willing to confer it. 1t
would seem tom that an honest application of the
conceded powers of the general Governmental the
advancement of the common veal, present a sufi-
Gent scope TO satisfy a reasonable ambition
The difficulty and supposed impracticability of
obtaining an amendment of the Constitution in
this respect, is, | firmly believe, in a greatdesree,
unfmnded. The time has never yet been, when
the patriotism and intelligence of the American
People were not fully equal to the greatest ext
gency, and it never will. when the subject call
ing forth their interposition is plainly presented
to them. To do 80 with the questions involved
in this bill. and to urge them to an early, zeal
Gus, and full consideration of their deep impor-
lance, is, in my estimation, among the highest of
our duties.
A supposed connection between appropriations
| for internal Improvement and IT, system OF pro-
~tecting duties growing out of the anxieties OF those
more immediately interested in their success.
has given rise to suggestions which 1t Is proper
| should notice on this occasion. My opinions
on these subjects have never been concealed
from those who had a right to know them. Those
which have entertained OH the latter, have fire.
Q~ucntly placed me in opposition to individuals as
we'll as communities, whose claimsupon ny friend
ship and gratitude are of the strongest character;
but | trust there has been nothing in my public life
which has exposed me to the suspicion OF being
thought capable of sacrificing my views of duty
to private considerations. however strong they
NAV have been, or deep the regrets which they
are capable of exciting. %
As long as the encouragement of domestic
manufactures is directed to national ends, It shall
receive from me a temperate but steady support.
There is no necessary conneXiOn between it and
the system of appropriations. On the contrary,
it appears to me that the superstition OF their de-
pendence upon each other, Is calculated to ex-
cite the prejudices Of the public against BOTH
The former is sustained on the grounds ofits con-
~sistencv with the letter and spirit ofthe c%onsttu-
ton. of it's origin being traced to the assent OF
all the parties to the original compact, and of its ha-
wing the support and appreciation of a majority OF
the people; on which account. it is at least emit
tied to a fair experiment. The suggestions to
which | have alluded refer to a forced continu-
ance of the national debt, by means of large APP
preparations, as a substitute for the security
which the system derives from the principles on
which it has hitherto been sustained. Such
a course would certainly indicate either an
unreasonable distrust of the people, ora con-
seriousness that the system does not possess suffi-
Gent soundness for Its support, If left to their vol
untary choice and its own merits.
Those who suppose that any policy thus found
ed can be long upheld in this country, have look
ed upon its history with eyes very different from
mine. This policy like every other, must abide
with the will of the people. who will not be likely
to allow any device, however ~specious, to conceal