The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-06-17

vance Of a course by which they can be Of. !
fected? Ought they not to require II?
With the best disposition 70 aid, as far as
/ can conscientiously, In furtnerance OF
worksof internal Improvement, my opinion
is, that the soundest views Of national pol
ICY at this time, point to such a course.
Besides, The avoidance of an evil influence
upon the local concerns Of the country,
how solid is the advantage which the Gov.
Srnment will reap from 1t in the elevation
Uf its character? How gratifying the ef-
feet, of presenting to the world the sub
lime spectacle OF a republic OF more than
twelve millions of happy people, in the fit,
ty fourth year OF her existence, after hav-
ing passed through two protracted wars,
the one for the acquisition, the other for
the maintenance of Liberty from debt,
and with all her immense resources uniet
tered What saluiary influence would
not such an exhibition exercise upon the
cause of liberal principles and free Gov.
ernment throughout the world? Would
we not ourselves find, in its effect, an ad
drtioHal guarantee, that our political insti
tuLions will be transmitted TO the most re-
mote posterity, without decay? A course
OF policy destined to witness events like
these, cannot be benefited by a Legislation
which toleratcs a scramb for approprla-
lions that have no relation 10 any general
system Of improvement, and whose good
effects must, Of necessity, be limited. In
the best view OF these appropriations, the
abuses to which they lead far exceed the
good which hey are capable Of promoting.
They may be resoried Ia as artful expedI-
ents; TO shift upon the Government the los
ses OF unsuccessful private speculation, and
Thus by mmlsterIng to personal ambition
and self aggrandisement, tend 20 sap the
foundations Of public virtue, and taInt the
administration of the Government with u
demoroliZing influence.
IN the other view of the subject, and the
only remanlug one, which II Is my inten
too 10 present AT this time, IS involved the
expedtency 0t embprking in system of
internal Improvement, without previous
amendment of the Constitution. explaining
and dcdring the precise powers oil the Fed.
era. Government over IT: assuming the
right to appropriate money, to aid IN the
construction of national works, 10 be war
ran,Od by the contempuraneous aud coulin.
ucd exposition Of the Constitution, its in
sufficieucy for the successful prosecution
Of them must be admitted by all candid
mInds.
Ii we look TO usage to define the extent
OF the right, that wil be found so vatient
and embracing so much that has been over
rnled, as to involve the whole subject 10
great uncertainty, aud to render the exc
cutioB OF our respective duties in relation
to il, repiete With difficulty snd embarrass-
ment 1t is IN regard to such works, aud
the acquisition ot additional territory, that
the practice obtained its fsst footing. I'm
most, it not oil othcr disputed questions OF
appropriation, the construction of the Con
stituti0a may be regarded as unsettled, IL
the right TO apply money, in the euunera-
ted cases, is placed On the ground ofusage,
THIS subject has becn que Of much, and
may add, painful reflection TO me. IL has
bearings that are we'll calculated 20 exert
a powerful influence upon our hitherto
prosperous system of government, and
which, on some accounts, may even excite
dependency ia the breast OF an Amerron
citizen. viii uot detaiu you with profess.
ions of zeal in the cause of internal i'm
provemcnts. Ito he their friend is rir.
tue which deserves commeuda ton, ouf
country is blessed with an abundance oft.
for do not suppose there is an iu,eiiiren,
citizen who docs not wish 30 sec them Gour.
ish
Bat though all are their friends, but few,
! trust, arc unmindful OF the means By
which they should be promoted; none Ger.
ta,uly are so degenerate as to desire their
success at the cost OF that sscred insiru-
mout, with the preservation of which are
ind,ssoubly bound our couutry's hopes.
II different Impressions are entertained
in any quarter; if il is expected that the
people OF this country, reckless Of their
constitutional obligations, wiIl prefer their
local interests TO the principles Of the I'm.
ion, such eXpections will 10 the end be dis
appointed; or, if il be not SO, then, indeed,
has the world but little to hope from the
example Of free government. When All
honest observance Of constitutional COM
pucts cannot be obtained from communi-
ties like ours, it need not be anticipated
elsewhere; aud the cause in which there
has becn SO much martyrdoui, and from
which so much was expected by the friends
OF liberty Gay DC abandoned; sud the lie
grediag truth, that man is unit for self
government, admitted. Aud this will be
the case it erpedieucy be made rule OF
construction la interpreting the Ccnstitu
ton Power IN no government, could de
sire better shield for the ,usiduous ad-
vasces, which It is evcs ready 90 make,
upaa the checks that are designed TO re-
strain its action.
Bot do not entcrtain such gloomy ap.
pseheHsious.-Ifit il be the wish of the peo.
ple that the constrUc tons Of roads and ca.
nails should be conducted by the Federal
Government, It Is not only highly expedi
ent, but Indispensable, that previous a
menda,ont Of the Constitution, deiegating