Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-06-09

Il a single Instance. 1t does not, in my
cninion, possess 1t; and no bill, therefore,
which admits It, can receive my offi'lal
sanction.
But. 10 the other view Of the power, lhe
question is differently situated. The
around taken at an early period ofthe
Government, was, ''that whenever n oley
has been raised by the general authority
and Is to be applied to a particular mas
ure. a question arises, whether the patio
ulsr measure be within the endmertcd
artAorlues vested in Congress. IF itbo,
/ the money requisite for 1t may be apfIed
to 10; If not, no such application can be
made" The document IN winch thls
principle was first advanced is Of dcsrv- /
edly high authority, aud should be heB IN
grateful remembrance for us immediate /
/ agency in rescuing the country from much I
existing abuse, and for It's COnseryatie et- /
/ feet upon some of the most valuable nm /
cipies of the Constitution. The synmc-
/ try and purity of the Government w'uid, /
doubtless, have been better preserved, III
/ this restriction Of the power Of appnpr'o' |
ton could have been maintained without
weakening ITS ability to fulfil the general
objects OF its institution: an effect so like
~ TO attend its admission, Notwithstanding
hts apparcnt fitness, that every subsequent
administration of the Government. embra-
r. eng a period OF thirty out OF torty-tw"
wears of ITS existence, has adopted more
enlarged construction Of the power. II IS
not NV purpose to detain You by minute
recital of the acts which sustain this asser-
ton, bat II is proper that l should notice
some of the most prominent, IN order that
the reflections which they suggest to my
mud. may be better understood.
In the administration of Mr.. Jefferson
we have two examples Of the exercise of
the right Of appropriation, which, M the
consideration that led to their adoption &
in their effects upon the public mind, have
had q greater agency IN marking the char
acter of the power, than any subsequent
events allude 10 the payment OF hlteen
millions of dollars for the purchase ut Lou
isiana, aid to the original appropriation for
the construction of the Cumberland Road;
the latter act deriving much weight from
the acqulescence and appreciation OF three
ofthe most powerful of the original MEM
bers Of the confederacy, expressed Though
their respective legislatures. Altho' the
circumstances of the latter case may be
such as to deprive so much Of it as relates
/ TO the actual construction of the road, of
I the force fan DBL gatOry exposition Of the
/ Constitution, it must, nevertheless be ad-
mated that, so far as the mere approprla.
| ton of money is concerned, they present
/ the principle IN its most imposing aspect
/ No less than twenty-three different laws
have been passed through all the forms of
/ tho Constitution, appropuot'ug upwards
+ of two millions and halt of dollars oyt of
Ilhe National Treasury in support of that
/ Improvement, with the appreciation Of ev-
lerv President of the United States, mclu- 7
ding my predecessor, since It's commence
ment
independently of the sanction gwen to
appropriations for the Cumberland and \
other roads and objects, under this power, !
The administration of Mr. Madison was
characterized by an act which furnishes
he strongest evidence Of his opinion of ITS
extent. A bin was passed through bol1
houses of Congress, and presented tor his
approval. "setting apart and Pledglug Ger
tam funds for constructing roads and ca
lals, and improving the navigation of wa
Ter courses. In order TO iacultate, promote
and give security to internal commerce a.
monp the several States; and 10 render
more easy, and less expensive, the means
and provisions for the common defence"
Regarding the bill as asserting a power IN
ih Federal Government to COnstructrOads
and canals within the limits Of the States
m which they were made, he objected to
ITS passage, on the ground of IFS u1con- ,
declaring that the assent of
the respective States, IN the mode provided l
bv he blll could not confer the power IN
question, that the only cases M which the
consent and cesslon of particular States ,
can extend the power of Congress, are
hose specified and provided for "a the II
Constitution; and superaddne 10 these a
yowals. his opinion, that - restriction of
he power 'to provide for the common de-
euce and general welfare to cases which
are TO be provided for by the expenditure
}f money, would still leave within the le Il
Islative power Of Congress, all The great {
and most important measures OF Govern
nent, money being the ordinary aud ne {
,essary means Of carrying them into exc
,uion." I have not been able to cons'd- /
Err these declarations In any other point OF
view, than as a concession that toe right .
of appropriation Is not limited b. the pow
eY 10 carry into ehectth measure for which
the money Is asked, as was formerly con-