Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-07-07
NO az

qnat riSh,s ana privileges. not 10 say equal
protection and consideration in legislation.
with majority. prcaiing. IL you please. by
that oppression. as to make it inexpedient in
,hls,-as hsing unequal and unjust, aud thus
10 justify the hostility eyinced by portion
OF General Jacksons supporters, in aud cut
lot Congress; for certainly deny that the
mass, OF even msjority Of his (Gen jack
sons supporters, ~ elt Of Congress, are OPP
posed to the tariff: This is another mistake.
which beg leave TO correct. Under tbegs
circumstances, did we not danbt the cossti
totionai right to impose tariff, as a protect
mg measure, | conceive that |. and Others
better informed than myself. and my friends
and neighbours WHO seek my opinion, might
well doubt its general expediency and Jus.
lice. The mere question itself. how far 5hs
majority have right to Cypress the minority,
Tor their own benefit. is a delicate one, and
certainly as difficult as important 10 decide
written constitutions being mainly designed
for the protection OF the minority For my
self, feel all these difficulties opposing me,
IN every step take. in approaching this all
absorbing question. Iadaiit, however more
light and reelection may remove these Diff
entities, and dlssipate my doubts. | ara as
Tree anu impartial upon this subject, and as
open to conviction UPON il, as upon all other
subjects, upon which | am at all liable to
doubt And am certaaly disposed, with
some little notifications perhaps, to give Me
present tariff a fair trial Certainly, / have
net, and w,Il not, join in the cry against it,
I'LL experience constrain me 10 condemn its
5th--Do you deny the right Of the gene
raj government to appropriate funds, frsm
The revenue Of the Union, TO the improve
nent of our country by means OF aotionaI
rodds, canals. and Other public ,corks2
ANswER,-Ies | am not entirely satisfied
this right exists in the general government,
althsueh think il should can find no
clause in tina constitution granting it. | ann
however, decidedly in favor oil conlerring il
by amendment have necer questioned thu
Iexpedieacy Of Internal improvements, of any
description, and the States severaily, being
incompetent TO the construction Of those OF q
national character ] acknowledge the pro.
pnety, not to say necessity, of placing this
power N the hands Of the general govern
ment. Where else should il be confidedp But
though convinced, as am, of the great nth
NY oil national roads, canals SC. and Of the
proprieiy Of confening the power TO con-
struet them upon Congress, yet as can find
no special grant OF this right 10 the federal
constitutions, am opposed Go its exercise, as
| am 10 the exercise Of any power by Con.
gress, for which there is no express power in
the constitution, either by express grant or
necessary implication as Incidental to soma
power expressly given.
The general government being, from its
very origin and nature, as by admission. and
by his own emphatic language, government
of special and limited powers, possessing of
necessity none others than such as are ex-
pressly conferred, and such as are Incidental,
as before mentioned, and necessary and
needfnl fer carrying the expressed ones into
execution; and the original parties to the
compact since The original formation and a
doptien OF our federal constitution, out Of
extreme Jealousy and caution, and to guard
against usurpation, having by express a.
mendment gone through, in due and solemn
form, made that sacred instrument itself de-
clare, 10 SO ma ny words, that all powers not
herein grantei 20 it, (the general govern
ment,) nor inhibited by il, 10 the States, to
be retained, and to belong TO the States re-
speetiyely, or to the people, can but think
and hold, that the general government usurps.
II II assume to exercise any others, by impli-
cation: mean any others than are thus ex-
pressy conferred by the Constitution, and
those incidental necessary, and needlul for
carrying them, aud them only, iaio execution.
And my reason tells me, this rigid con-
strnetion OF the federal constitution, and the
contim9a Of the general government strictly
TO the salutaIy exercise OF these po,cegs only,
IS necessary for the preservation Of this u
Mon. There must be certain fixed rules Of
construction, from which Congress shall not
be at liberty to depart.--oI all will be uncer-
tain, and this republic in danger And yet
do say. i implication be given into at all,
beyond the claim 10 exercise such incidental
powers only, AS are necessary and Deedlul
for carrying those expressly granted into ex-
ecuiion. there will ard can be no stopping
place on this side Of consolidation. ri by
strainlng inference multiplication to the fur
thest extent, reasoning only from necessary
and neeainl powers, for the execution Of ex-
press ones, will carry us, Congi ass will be-
permitted TO exercise one other power than
what is really necessary for tins purpose,
who does not see they may thus imply and
assume TO exercise, All and every other pow
er. The ingenuity Of man is boundless--so-
phlstry, IN spite Of sense and honesty, viii
e'erlcaP all limits settled by reason, and
know no estraint II we admit Coaa yess
may imply and exercise any power Il ail,
out such as Is expressly grated, or nscessa-
ry and needful, for carrying those into oge-
ration, We must iofego the settled, aud yea
go for unlimited powers. There is no inter- 4
mediate boundary. And then Of what avail