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

Verely upon the laboring and less prosperous
classes OF the community, being imposed on
the necessaries of life, and this, too, in cases
where the burden was not relieved by the con-
sciousness, that it would ultimately contribute
to make us independent Of foreign nations for ar
ticles OF prime necessity, by the encouragement
Of their growth and manufacture at home. They
have been cheerfully borne, because they were
thought to be necessary to the support of Govern
ment, and the payment of the debts unayoidably
incurred in the acquisition and maintenance of
our national rights and liberties. But have we a
right to calculate on the same cheerful %ac0uies-
cence, when it is known that the necessity for
their continuance would cease, were it not for
irregular, improvident, and unequal appropria-
tons of the public fluids? Will rot the people
demand, as they have a right to do. such a Dru-
dent system of expenditure, as will pay the debts
Ot the Union, and authorize the reduction of ev-
cry tax, TO as low a point as the wise observance
OF tie necessity TO protect that portion of our man.
u~factures and labor, whose prosperity is essen
tlal to our national safety and independence,
will allows When the national debt is paid, the
duties upon those articles which we do not raise,
may be repealed with safety, and still leave, l
trust without oppression to any section of the
country, an accdmulating surplus fund, which
may be beneicially applied to some well digest
ed system of improvement.
Under this view, the question, as to the man
ner in which the Federal Government can, or
ought to embark in the construction of roads aud
canals. and the extent to which it NAV impose
burthens on the people for these purposes. may
be presented on its own merits, free of all dis
guise. aud of every embarrassment. except such
as may arise from the Constitution itself. AS
suming these suggestions TO be correct, will not
our constituents require the ubservance0 of course
BY which they can be effected? Ought they not
to require it, With the best disposition to aid,
as far IA | can conscientiousIv. IN furtherance of
internal Improvement. my opinion is, that the
soundest views of national policy 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
Government will reap from it III the elevation of
its character? How gratifying the effect, of pre-
senting to the world the sublime spectacle Of a
republic of more than twelve millions OF happy
people. in the fifty-fourth year of her existence.
after having passed through two protracted wars;
the one for the acquisition, and the other for the
maintenance of lIberty-free from debt, and with
all her immense resources uniettered! What a
~saiutary influence would not such an exhibition
exercise upon the cause OF liberal principles and
free Government throughout the world? Would
we not ourselves find, IN its effect, an additional
guarantee, that our political institutions will be
transmitted to the most remote p%osterity, without
decay? A course of policy destined to witness
events like these, cannot be benefited by a legis-
lation which ~tolerates a scramble for appropria-
tons that havcuo relation to any general system
of Improvement. and whose good effects must, of
necessity, be very limited. In the best view of
these appropriations, the abuses to which they
lead, far exceed the good which they are capable
of promoting. They may be resortcd to as art
full expedicnts, to shift upon the Government the
losses of Unsuccessful private speculation, and
thus. by ministering to personal ambition and
Observation-Disclosures. tend to sap the foundations
of public virtue, and taint the administration OF
the Government with a demoraliZlng influence.
In the other view Of the subject. and the only
| remaining one, which it is my intention to present
| at this time, is involved the expediency OF embark-
| inc in a system of internal Improvement. without
a previous amendment of the Constitution. ex-
planning and defining the precise powers OF the
Federal Government over il. Assuming the right
to appropriate money, to aid in the construction
of national works, to be warranted by the cotem-
poraueous and continued exposition OF the Con-
~stitution, it's inSuticiency for the successful pro-
s~ecution of them, must be admitted by all candid
minds. If we look to usage to define the extent
of the right, that will be found so variant, and
embracing so much that has been oyerruled, as to
involve the whole subject in great uncertainty,
and to render the execution of oar Irrespective du,
ties in relation to it, replete with difficulty and
embarrsssment. 1t is in regard to such works,
and the acquisition Of additional territory, that
N. practice Obtained its FIRST footing. In most.
if not all other disputed questions of apPropria-
tion. the construction of the Constitution may be
regarded as unsettled, if the right to apply mo-
neSy, in the enumerated cases, is placed on the
ground of usage.
This subject has been one of much and 1
NAV add, painful reflection TO me. 1t has bear
ines that are well calculated to exert a powerful
influence upon our hitherto prosperous system of
government. and which, on some accounts. may
even excite dispondency in the breast of an A
merican citizen. l will not detain you with pro-
~fessions of zeal in the cause of internal improve
ments. Tito be their friend is a virtue which
deserves communication, our country IL blessed
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