Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-12-15

poses of government, can no where be so well
deposited as in tho pockets Of the people.
| 1t may sometimes happen that the interests
of particular states would not be deemed to CO.
ncidc with the general interest in relation to
improvement within such states. But if the
danger to be apprehended from this source is
sufficient to require it, discretion might be re'
sci we'd TO Congress 10 direct to such improve.
moDts Of u general character as the states con-
cerned might not be disposed to unite in, the
application Of the quotas Of those states, under
the restriction Of c1nfning to each state the ex'
ponditure Of its appropriate quota.
II II may, however, be assumed, as safe gener.
al rule, that such improvements as serve to in.
croase the prosperity Of the respective States
in which they are made, by giving new facilities
to trade, and thereby augmsnting the wealth
and comfort Of their inhabitants, constitute the
sursst mode Of comforting permanent and sub
stantial advantages upon tho whole The
strength as well as the true glory ofthe confed
sracy is mainly founded OH the prosperity and
power Of the several independent sovereign,ies
Of which it is composed, and the certainty with
which they can DO brought into successful, &c.
tive cooperation, through tho agency OF the
!Eetd1eral Government.
Il 1t is, however, within the knowledge Of such
as are at all conversant with public affairs, that
schemes of internal improvement have from
time to time, been proposed, which, from 'hoir
extent and seeming magnfcence, were regard
ed as Of national concernment but which, upon
fuller consideration, and further experience,
would now be rejected with great unonimity.
II That the plan under consideration would do
rive important advantages from its certainty,
aud that tho moneys set apart for these pur.
poses would be more judciOusly applied and o.
economically expended under the direction of the
State Legislatures, in which every part OF each
State is Immediately represented cannot think,
be doubted, in the new States particularly,
where a comparatively small population is scat.
tored over an extensive sur face, and the repre-
sentation in Congress consequently ever limit
ed, it is natural to expect that the appropriations
made by the Federal Government would be
more likely to be expended in the vicinity of
those members through whose immediate agen-
cy they were obtained, than if tho funds were
placed under the control Of the legislature, in
which every county Of the State has It's own
representative. This suppositon does not ne
cessarily inpugn the motives OF such Congress
sional representatives, nor is it so intended We
are all sensible Of the bias to which the strong.
est minds and pursst hearts are under such cir.
cumstances, liable. In respect 10 the last objec-
ton, its probable effect upon the dignity and in.
dependence Of the State Governments, it ap.
pears to me only necessary 20 state the case as
it would be ifthe measure proposed were adopt
I'd, to show that the operation is most likely to-
supposes.
| In the one case, the State would receive the
quota Of the national revenue for domestic use
upon fixed principle, as matter Ofright, and
from fnnd TO tho creation Of which it had it.
self contributed its fair proportion. Surely
there could be nothing derogatory in that. As
matters now stand, the states themselves, in
their sovereign character, are not unfrcquently
petitioners at the bar of the Federal legislature
| fnr all Of ha tres %
as it may comport with their pleasure or sense
Of duty to bestow upon them. II cannot require
argument to prove which Of the two courses is
most compatible with the efficiency or respect.
ability Of the State Governments.
II But oil these are matters for discussion and
dispassionats consideration. That the desired
adjustment would be attended with difficulty,
affords reason why it should not be attempted
II The effective operation Of such motives would
have prevented the adoption Of the Constitution
under which We have SO long lived. and under
the benign influence Of which our beloved coun-
try has SO signally prospercd. The trainers of
that sacred instrument had greater difficulties
to overcome and they did overcome them. The
patriotism Of the people, directed by deep con.
viction Of tho Importance OF the Union, produc.
ed mutual concession & reciprocal forbearance
Strict right was merged in a spirit Of conprO-
mise, and tho result has consecrated their disin.
terested devotion to the general veal. Unless
the American people have degenerated, the same
result can DO again effected; whenever expert
ence points out the necessity Of resort to the
Same means to uphold tho fabric which their ia.
theirs have reared. 1t is beyond the power Of
man to make a system Of government like ours,
or any other, operate with precise equality upon
States situated like those which compose this
coniederacy; nor is inequality always injustice
Every State cannot expect to shape the meas
ures Of the General Government, to suit its
own particular interests.-ThS causes which
prevent it are seated in the nature Of things,
and cannot be entirely counterac,ed by human
means. Mutual foi bearance, therefore, becomes
duty obligatory upon all, and We may, am
contiden count on u cheerful compliance with
this high Injunction on the part OF our constitu
ents. 1t is not to be supposed that they will
object to make such comparatively inconsdera
BILE sacrifices for the preservation OF rights and
privileges which other less favored portions OF
the VOL Id have in vain wadcd through seas Of
blood ~ acquire.
Our course is n safe one, if it be but faithful
ly adhered to. Acquescence in the constitu.
uonally expressed will Of the majority, and the
exercise oil that will in spirit Of moderation,
justice, and brotherly kindness, will constitute
u cement which would forever preserve our I'm.
ion. Those who cherish and inculcato senti.
ments like these, render most essential service
to their country whilst those who seek to weak
en- their influence, are, however conscientious
and praiscworthy their intentions, IN effect its
worst enemies.
Ii the intelligence and in influence Of tho
country. instead of laborng to ioment sectional
prejudlces, to be made subserv vient to warfare,
were, in good faith, applied to the eradication
OF causes Of local discontcnt, by the improve
ment Of our institutions, and by facilitating their
ada p,aton to the condition OF the times, this
task would prove ono Of less difficulty. y May
we not hope that the obvious interests of our
common country, and the dictates Of an enlght.
ened patriotism, will, in the end, lead the public
mind in that direction.
Alter all, the nature of the subject does not