Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1832-12-13

4
large proportion Of forty milliou. az doIi.rS
and of tho revenue received therefrom, but ,
smaii part has been expended amongst then
when, 'o the disadvantage Of their sit,, tiou
Va "is respect, We add the consideration tl,at
a. their labor alone which gives real value
70 inc lands, and that the proceeds arising
rom their sale are distributed chiefly among
states which had not originally any claim a.,
them, and which have enioyrd The prj;~.asS
smoiument arising from fhe sale Of their own
S amos cannot be expected that the new
Tics VIII remain longer contonted with the
P'seh' policy after the pay meni Of ths ps,blic,
seo'' 10 avert the consequences which NAV
DC aPPrehended from H. - cause. To- n,,, =.
e.I forever 10 oil partial and Interested le-
suon 90 TINS subject, and to afford 10 eve
4 ~ American citizen Of enirrp,i,. ~. o,,>,.
'uhity OF securing an independent freehold !,
seems TO me, therefore best to abandon ,hr,
cea oil raising future revenue cut of tho
public lands.
IN iormer messages, ! have expressed nv
convection that the constitution does not W ar
rant me application Of the funds Of the &C.
nerai Government To objects of internal i'm
P1"'ement which are not national in their
character, and, both rs n means of doing iu,-
ice 10 oil interests, and putting an end In /.
course oil legislation calculated 10 de, tho
purity oil The Government, have urged the
necessity OF reducing the whole subject tn
some hxed and certain rule. As there never
WIN occur period, perhaps, more propitiou,
~. man he present To the accomplishment of
this object, beg leave TO press the subject
again upon your attention
Nlthout some general and well defines,
principles ascertaining those objects of inter
nal improvement To which the mean, az H.,
ha,ion may be constitutionally applied, il Is
obvious thai The exercise of the power can
"v'e, DC satisfactory. Besides the danger tn
a.
appropriations 10 works Of the character of
which they may DO frequently ignorant. IL
promotes mischievous and corrupting infu-
ehce upon elections, by holding out to the
people tie failaciouS hope that the success,
oil certain capdidate will make nayirabl,
'heir neighboring creek or river, bring com
nhcrcc " their doors, and increase the value
VI 'heh property. IL thus favors combina-
lions 10 squander the treasure Of the country
upon an"ltitude OF local objects. IA fatal tn
Just legislation as TO the purity of public
men.
system compatible with the constitrt-
ZION cannot he devised, which is free from
such tendencies, We should rccollect that that
instrument provides within itself the mode OF
us amendment; and that there is, therefore.
no excuse FOR the assumption of doubtful
powers by the General Government lr tho
which are clearly granted shall be found in
| competent To the ends OF IFS creation, il can
al any time apply for their enlargement: and
there - no probability that such an applica-
ton, IL founded on the public interest will
ever DC refused. II the propriety Of the pro-
posed grant be not sufficiently apparent 10
command the assent Of three-foprths Of ,ho
States, the best possible reason WHY The NOW
er should not be assumed, on doubtful autho-
r,ty,s Afforded; Tor, IL more than one-fourth of
Tue STATES are UNIV lling To make the grant
aus exercise VIII be productive Of discopteutx
which VIII Tar o'erbalanee any ADVANTAGES
tia; can asisc from IL. All must admit dat
hcrc Is nothing SO worthy Of the constant
soHcitude OF this government, as the harmO-
ny ana union OF the people.
Being solemnly impressed with the eonx;c-
uon That The exte Of the power To make
mtcrnai Improvements boy ond the limit have
suggested, even IL it lie deemed constitution
III, y suDVersiye OF the best interests Of our
country, ] earnestly recommend to Con-
gress 10 refrain from its exercise in doubtful
cases, except IN relation ia improvements al
reSdy begun, unless they first shall procure
from Tie States such an amendment of the con-
stitution as " i'll define its character. and mr.
scribe IFS bounds. Ii the States feel them
selves competent To these objects why should
uls government wish TO assume the Dow err
~ ihey do not, then they will not hesitate to
make the grant. Both Governments arc the
Cove rnments of the people improvements
must De made with the money OF the people
aud u the money can be collected and appIIc,i
by those more simple and economical poiiticaI
machines, the State Governments, IL viii. IN
qlesuonabiy. Toe safer and better for the peo-
PIE Than 10 add TO the splendOr, the PATRONAGE
and The power, of the General Government
But II the people Of the several States Thank
Otherwise, they will amend the constitution.
and 30 their decision, all ought eheerfully To-
acquesce.
For detailed and higi,.. satisfactory xis,,,
Of the operations OF the War Department.
refer you 10 the accompany ing report Of the
Secretary Of War
The hostile incurSions Of the Sac and Fox
Indians necessarily led TO the interpoaition OF
the Government. A portion OF the troops.
under Generals Scott and Atkinson, aud tho
militia OF the state Of Illinois, were called
mo the hcld. After a harassing warfare, pro
Ionged by The nature Of the country and bY
The difficulty OF procuring subsistence, the In
aians were entirely defeated, and the disaf-
teeted band dispersed or DESTROYED The re-
suit has been ereditablo 10 the troOps eugaged
"a The service. severe AZ il the lesson io On,
Indians u was rendered necessary by their.
unfrovokod sggressiOns; and u - O. he hoped
mat ITS impression " 81 be permanent and salu-
tsry.
TAts campaign has eylncrd the efficient or
Sanization II ihe Army and its capacity for
prompt md active service. its several de-
partments have performed their fgactions
with eaergy and despatch. and the general
movement va satisfactory.
Our fellow-cltizeus upon the frontiers were
ready. a. they always are, IN tie tender Of
thoiF services in the hour q dsnger Rot
more eHcient organization Of our militi. svs-
tenn - essential To- that security which y ona
81 the principal objects 81 Az government.
Neither our situation nor oar institutions. ~
qui-e on permit tie maintenance Of = lsrve
regular ioree. History offers Too many Ie.-
sOns 81 the fatal result q such MEASURE uos
2" warn us against Us adoption here. The
exPepce Which sitsnds IL, the Oby iosss teysdsn-
~ 70 employ because Il exists, ard thus 90
.nsaze N unnecessary wars, ard ~ ultimate