Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-15

Tue country. We're there no exports there ,could De
no. norW. would DO perfectly useless
which raise the great agriculus,l .t,,,. 80,
tho view OF ottaing their s,pplies and which
mus, ocPcno' on the general market of tho world
'ne's Saios' the c.nfct must remain if tho sys
:. soo'u COM -hue, and the disease become more
-. NIa'S. rhcir interest, and that Of those who
Wy iigh uuiies would confino the purchase of their
TO the general market, must from the nature
Oh things IN reference to the Tariff be i'm conflict
h' men, we cease to raise the great staples cot
Ion, rice and tobacco, for tho same markets aud
TIL we find som, other profitable nvcstment for
the immense amount of capital and labour now en-.
P'ofed III their production, the present unhappy
ana dangerous conflict cannot terminate unless with
re prohI5itary SYSTEM itself
In the meantime, wh;o idly waiting for its tern.i-
nation through ITS own action. tho prog ess of
events In another quarter, is rapidly bringing tho
contest to an iinmediue and decisive issue. We
are last approaching period, very novel in the his
tory III nations, and bearing directly and powerful.
~ on the point under considerations the final pay.
ment ct long standing funded debt; period that
cannot DO sensibly retarded, the natural consc.
duences OF 1t eludcd, without proving disastrous
those who may attempt either, If not TO the coun-
Try itself. When it arrives, the Government would
mud itself in possession Of a surplus revenue of
SIC, 900, Sl2 900, 000, if not previously dis
posed ofwhch presents the important question what
previous disposition ought to he made question
which must press urgently for jecision at the very
next session of Congress. 1t cannot be delayed
longer, without the most distrsctng an dangerous
consequences.
lhe honest and obvious course il, to prevent the
accumulation of the surplns in the tresury by 4
uiney and judicious reduction of the impos,s; and
thereby TO cavo tho money in the pockets of those
who made it, and from whom, it cannot DC honestly,
nor constiiutionally taken, unees required by the
fair and legitimate wants of the Government If
ncglecting disposition so obvious and lust, the
Government should attempt to keep up tho present
high duties, when the money was no longer wanted
or to dispose OF this immense surplus by enarpinr
the old, Or derising schemes of appropriations
or. hndlng that TO be impossible il should adopt the
most unconstitutional and absu I'd project
over devised by any government, of dividing the
surplus among the States: "a project which, if car
Rcd into execution, could not fail to cato an an
tasonlst interest between tho States and General
government all questions of appropriations.
winch would certainly end in reducing the latter to
nero Office of collection and distribution either
OF these modes would be considered by the section
euffcrng under the present high duties as q fixed
determination. TO perpctuato forever what it consi
GERS the present unequal, unconstitutional and op
pressiye burden; and from that moment il would
cease to look 20 the General Government for relief
ms deeply interesting period, which must prove
30 disastrous, should wrong direction be given.
but SO fortunate and glorious, should right one is
Just az hand.
The work must commence at tho next session,
as nave stated or be left undonc or, at least, be
badly done. The succeeding session would be too
short and too much agitatcd by the Presidential
contest to afford the requisite lcsur aud calmnees
and the one succeeding, would find the country in
the midst OF tho crisis, when il would be too late
to prevent an accumulation of the surplus; which
hazard nothing in saying. Judging from the nai1,rs
OF mon and government, once permitted 20 acc,,
ipuatc, would create all interest strong enoucb N
pcrPesuate ITSELF supported it would be by 9TH
efs 60 numerous and powerful; and thus would pa
away moment, ncsct to be quietly recalled SO
precious, if properly used, to tighten the public
burden; TO equaliLe the action of tho governments;
to restore harmony and pcareS and 10 prese.t
TO the world the ;llustrious example which
could not faI to prove most favourable to the preat
cause OF liberty every where, Of nation the free
est and, at the same time, the best and most chcau-
ly governed; the highest earthly blessing at the
least possible sacIG;e.
As the disease will not, then, heal itself, VIC arc
| brought TO tho question, can rcmedv be applied,
and, if 50, what ought it to be-
| 10 answer IN the negative would be 10 assert,
that our union has utterly failed and that the opn
ior, so common before the adoption of orr Consti.
| tuition, that i free government could not be
practically extended over largo country, was
| correct-and that had been DESTROYED by
giving 1t limits so great, to comprehend
| not only dissmilar, but irreconcilable in.
terests. am not prepared TO admit Il conclusion
that would cast deep shade on tho future, ant
that would fasify all the glorious anticipations of
our ancestors while it would greatly lessen their
high reputation for wisdom. Nothing but the clear
est demonstration founded on sctuaI experiences
oil of my feelings. AS strongly as am impressed
with tho great dissrnilarty and, 1 must add, as
truth, compels to do oontrariety of interests in
our country, resulting from the causes already in.
dlcotod, and which SO great that thcy cannot
be subjected to the unchecked will OF q majority of
the whole, without defeating the great end of 90
Ecrnment, and without which il is curso instice;
yet see In the union, ordained by the constitu
ton, the means if wisely used, not only of rcconci
ling all diversities, but also tho means and the only
cttectuai one, of securing to us Justice peace and
security, at home and abroad, and with them that
national power and renown the love of which Pro.
fldonce has implanted for wiso purposes so deeply
| In tho human heart; in all of which great objects
every portion of our country widely extended and
dlvorslfed as II is, has common and identical in
| terest. II wo have the wisdom to place Il proper
relative estimate on these elevated and durable
blessings, tho present and every othor conflict of
like character, may be readily terminates; but if re-
vcrsng the scale, each section should put higher
estimate on its immediate and peculiar gains; and
actngin That spirit, should push favourite measures
OF mere policy, without regard to peace, harmouv
or justice, sectional conflicts would then indeed
without somo constitutional check, become inter
mInable, except by the dissolution of the Union
Itself. That We hnvo, in fact so reversed the etj
mu, is too certain to be doubted and the result IS
our present distc3'pered and dangerous condition.
Tho cure must coilmsnce III the correction of tho
error, and not to admit we have erred, would
be the worst possible symptom. it would prove the
disease to be incurablc through the regular and
binary process of legislation; and would c5nipei,
hnally, resort to extraordinary, but still trust
not only constitutional but safe remedies.
No one would moro sincerely rejoice than myself.
to see the remedy applied from the quarter where
it could be most easily and regularly done II is
the only way by which those who think that It is