Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-02-16
COMMUNICATION.
To me Editor of the alexandria Gazette.

tenn i, in>,rins c ally interesting subject, ana
i, is worthy uf inquiry by all who have pleasure
in National prosp rrity. II has become 10 be
du,v 10 do so, a, this time, when the Congress
.ionsl right TO provide for The general we Hare
BY commercial protecting regulation, Is ae>
p;,d by MANY who are The admirers OF the pre-
sen, Administration, and who have no desire
that native indus ry shall have any aid, by du-
lies on foreign merchandise, 20 enable II 10 re-
s;s, the asc, ndency Of older and wealthier ma
lions. This unkindnrss To American Industry,
would be incorrect, II the powers gran'ea oy
the Constitution were not intended TO proVine
for it q cherishing protection. ne spec'ai
powers enumerated in 'hr 9Th section oil ne Isl
article, was authority 10 Congress 10 promote
native industry by discreet restriction o' the
exotic Indeed, the right OF unlimited taxa 10"
gave the au'hori:y; and ii il did moi, rish' 81
comprehensive would not have been granted
because il would have been unnecessary. WIN
This supreme right, Congress has an unim''eo
au, hoIily over the general welfare, and may
provide for it by any measures that wil', ~ lib
Judgment, improve he condition OF the ra'loh'
This opinion is confirmed TO oe correct by the
10 b section Of The Is, article of,he Constructor
which takes away from the States every ?reten-
sion Of right over the general welfare. mere
fore. the preroga,ive OF Congress is conclusive;
and il compiehr nds the privilege oil complete
undivided sovereignty over national prosperity,
and IS only resuic ed by 'hr rights reserved 10
the States and 10 hr Propl"; but no right pre-
served 10 either, gives right 10 undertake 10
take care OF, or TO promote the general welfare
TO do this is he duly OF the Representatives oil
the Nation elected by he People OF the STATES;
and o his Jurisdiction there 10 no restraint IL
il abs,ains from viola'i & the liberty o! con-
science, the trial by jury, the habeus corpus,
| the freedom of he press, he independency oil
the judiciary. Equal tax S, and rlua' laws,
will always promo'e the common interest WIN.
out offending these essentials OF constitutional
freedom; and Congressional lrgisla'ion VIII NOT
be correctly charged with deviation from
tIehtful use Of the powers OF the Federal 1oV
ernmen'. II rb-ie Ia, been any deviation, II Is
not Of atorrupubie motive; and II can or no
other han what progressive change IN man
ners customs, aud habits, has caused-'he &c
mime result. of the increase Of population I'm
provrm.n, in science, and The acquisition OF
riches These effective results OF freedom, oil
industry, and of 5oun eons commerce, AIDED
by The various and many whims at luxury, which
are always busy in multiplying wants ana Il"
creating desires, do gradually introduce pleas
ing alterations IN social fssh'on, and do aerer
ably improve all political institutions; and thry
impercep,ibly become 10 be. welcome c'mpo-
ne nts Of NOR hical It publ an, end demncra-
tic governments; nor could The Federal EoV
ernm, mt, org anized by The wise and sklitu', re-
sist 20 yield To the reQu'si'iohs OF cl'ihzai on'
and the ameliora'iun Of society. Politicians
NAV c. ase 10 f.ncy this has not occurred, or 10
hope it will not continue; nor ought they to ap
prehend i, will he uup' opi,ious 10 individual
e. h.. i,. of al NJ
Without any Other ann ndment than that pro-
du.ed by The improvement ef socie'y, the fe'
deral powers will easily enlarge, and compte'
bend he enterprise OF numer Us, growing
people, aegrapdized by riches, and luxurious
bytaoundance The gre er the f eedom, more
certainly will The policy OF ma ion change; and
il will take place, # no nJudrcieu'ly resisted.
| without infringing on any inalitnahi" privilege
| and advance he genera welfare, without med
ding with the prrroganv' OF STATES. mat
,hesr NAV rem ain sale, here viii y. no necessity
TO ref ba k I" what ore called hrs principles;
| nor will ref renee 10 them, prevent change
| in the policy # Legislation 10 correspond Wi
the forward mo,em n OF an intelligent people.
| S ,ch change should not b.. censured, bu' hail
ed with appreciation; ard it will be an appro
D. late encnurag ment now, when The attention
Of legIsla,i n i invited i" notice the interest
OF foreign CONNER e AMI Of naive industry, 10
encourage one, and to probe :he other and
those twn do,ies are in ne power OF Congress
Foreign comm, rec shou' d be restricted, o Sc.
cure 10 naive indus ~ moderate protection -
More than that is not desired, 10 excite Internal
trade: it will do enough 20 charge from for
eign 10 native inter- ST the enterprise and M
dustry Of he Uuied States. This interesting
and benei"ial revolu ion is nearly completed,
and is progressing al hough il is srenuously
opposed, ,nd has been bui li''le favored by
friendly l-gisla ion, and has had no protection
except VIVA, revenue laws secured. The po-
tency Of individual enterprise has cherished l.
well-now, for its complete success, Cen
gr-ss has only 20 follow the inclination OF the
people, and 70 provide for lis gradual improve
mrn, by an undertaking partially, expressed by
moderate laws, car fully avoiding any hat will
have ,x'reme consequences, as they are always
Injurious. Congress was Invested with the tx
elusive right to regulate foreign and internal
commerce, that it might derive regular rrve-
nue. from the frs, by moderate imposr, and by
expedient laws encourage the other. Severe
r, S riction is no, required TO effect these du.
ties il would unneo, ssarily worry freedom OF