Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-06-01

uoes NOT IN " never VIII he. Tbs general
elgence AMI public spirit OF the American psot. fur.
ulsh sure guarantee that, at the proper tinis this
policy VIII be made 10 prevail unde more
suspicious to its nj than those which
now exist But great this object undoubtedly it, Il
IL not the only which demands the fostering care
The Government. The rr servaiion and success of the
Republican principle with us. To elevate
- character, aud extend it, influence, rank among our
meet inro'an duties; and the best accop!i.h
this desirable end are those ch will rvet the attach
men OF citizens 10 ths Government Of their choc.
by the compaa ve gltness of their pub ic b,,rde
and by the attraction which the superior success OF il
operations will present 20 the admiration aud resppct
at the world Through the favor Of an overriding and
indulgent Providence, our country is blessed with
general prosperity, aud citizens evempe from the
ssure oil taxaon, which other less favored portions
OF the human family, obliged 10 hea vet il il true
that many oil the taxes selected from our citizens
through The medium OF impos,s have for consdera able
period been onerous La many particulars, these taxes
have borne severely upon the laboing and les. prosper
Gus classes CT toe community, being imposed the
necessities OF life, and this too, in where the
burden was not relieved by the onsciones. that i,
would ultimately contribute to make independent of
foreign nions Tor articles OF prime necessity, by the
encouragement OF their grow tn and manufacture at
home They have been cheerfully borne because they
were thought to be necessary to the support OF Govern
men and the payment Of the debts unavodably incur
red In the acquisition and maintenance of national
rights and libe rites But have we a ripht TO calculate
ON The same cheerful acquiescence, when it ia known
mat The necessity for their continuance would cease
were II not Tor rres uar, iprovident, and unequal a
propraiions of the public funds Will not the people
d. mand, az they have right 10 DO such prudent sys
ts oil cSps ndture, as will pay the debts of the Union
and authorize the reduction Of every tax to as low
point as the wise observance OF the necessity TO pro-
tect hat portion OF our manufactures and labor whose
prosperity is essential 10 national safety and indie
pendencs will allow, When the national deb, i, paid .
the duties upon those articles which we do no, raise
may be repealed with safety, aud still ave, trust
without oppression TO section OF the country,
cunniatng surplus fund, which may be beneficially
applied to some well digesed system Of improvement
Under ms view. the question: as TO the manner in
which the Federal Government can, or ought TO EN-.
bark in the construction Of roads and canals and the
extent 10 which it may impose burthens the pc ople
Tor these purposes may be presented on its m-rt,
Tree OF all disguise, and Of every enhancement, ex-
cept such may arise from the Constitution itself As.
Stunning these suggestions 10 be correct, will our
mis- require the Observance Of by which
they can be effected? Ought they not to require il.
With the best disposition 10 aid, far
y cam In fu therance of works of internal mprov
my opinion Ia, that the soundest visws of national poll
cy at this time, point TO such cour,e Besides the
avoidance OF an evil influence upon the local
OF me country, how solid is the advantage which the
Government will reap from it in the elevation Of its
character! How gratifying the effect, of pre'entng to
me world the sublime spectacle of republic Of mere
Than twelve millions OF happy people, in the fifty fourth
year oil her existence, after having passed through
potacted ware; the Tor the acquisition, and the
other for the maintenance Of liberty-free from debt
anu win all her Immense resources unfettered! What
aiutary influence would not such an exhibition ex-
ercise upon the OF be raj principles and FIRE Go
vernment throughout the world! Would we not our
selves fad, in its effect additional guarantee that
our political institutions will be transmitted to the most
remote posteriy, without decay? course of policy
destined 10 witness events like these, canno he bene fit
ed by legislation which olera'cs scramble for ap-
preparations that have no relation to any general system
OF improvements and whose good effects must of neces
sty, be very limited. In the best view Of these ap.
preparations the abuses 10 which they lead far exceed
me good which they are capable Of promoting. They
may he r-sorted TO arul expedent 10 shit ,pon the
government the losses oil unsuccessful private specu
laton and thus by mnistering personal ambition and
se-aggrandlzemenf tend to sap the foundations of pub
lie virtue, and faint the ADMINISTRATION OF the Govern
ment with ademoralizng influence.
In the other view Of the subject and the enly remain.
ing one when II my intention 10 at this time
involved the eSpedency OF embarkng in syst, OF
internal improvement, without a previous endm ent
OF the Constitution explaining and defining the pre- else
powers OF the Federal Government over il: assuming
NE lsht 10 appropriate money, TO aid in the
ton oil national works, TO be warranted by the coempn-
raneous and continued exposition OF the Constitution
its insufiicency for the prosecution of them
must be admitted by all candid minds If we look to
usage 10 define the extent of the right that will be
found so variant, and embracing much that has been
overruled, TO involve the whole subject in great I'M
certainty, and 10 render the execution of respective
hnies In relation TO II, repete with difficulty and EN-
bsrrasment IL is in regard 20 such works. and the ac-
quiton OF additional territory, that the practice obtain
cd its first footing. 10 most if not in all other disputed
qne tons OF appropriations the construction of the Con-
shution may be regarded unsettled if the RICH to
apply money in the enumerated cases. l. placed on The
ground OF usage.
This subject has been one of much end NAV add
pair fni reflection to |, has bearings thai are wei
calculated TO exert powerful influence upon our hi
'htr'o prosperous system of government and which
on some accounts may even excite dependency the
breast OF an American citizen. / will not detsin Won
with projections Of zeal in the cause of internal i'm
provements. II TO be their friend is virtue which
deserves CONNIE ndaton, country is blessed with An
abundance OF IL; Tor do not suppose there il an intel
igent citizen who does not wish to them flourish
Hut though all are their friends but 70 trust are nm
mindful of the means by which they should be promo
ted none certainly degenerate as desire Their
success at the cost ct that sacrei instrument with the
preservation Of which IL ndissolubly bound our conn
rys hopes II different impressions are in
any quarter II il is expected that the People of this
country, reckless Of their constitutional obligations will
prefer their local interest TO the principles of the Union
such expectations will in the end be disappointed; or
u he not 30, them indeed, has the world but little TO
hope from the example of free government. When an
honest observance OF constitutional contacts cannot he
obtained from communities like ours il need not be an.
cipatad elsewhere; and the in whirh there has
been 20 much mar'yr,lom, and from which so much
was expected by the friends Of liberty NAV be aban-
dcned and the d'gradng truth, that man is unfit for
seif-government, admitted. And this will be The case
u expectancy besmlde rule Of construction in inter-
preting the Constitution Power, in no government
could desire better shield for the nsilious advance
which il il ever ready 10 make upon the checks that
ate designed TO rest, ain II, action.
But do not entertain such gloomy sions II
he The wish OF The people that The con zion of
roads anil canals should be conducted bv the Fede
Government. is not only hie bly, expeden bnt indis
pensaby necessary, that previous amendment of the
Constitution, deeg eating hs necessary power and
ing ard restricting its exercise with reference IN Tho
sovereiRny OF The States should he made Without il
nothing extensively useful can be effected The riobt
to exercise az much Jurisdiction neces ary 10
serve The works, and 10 raise funds by the nj
tos 10 keep them IN repair cannot be dispensed with