The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-12-10
TContinued from I'd pdge.l

organization Of the Judicial system, so as
to secure its efficiency and uniformity IN
all parts of the Union, and at the same
time to avoid such an increase OF judges
as would cucumber the supreme appel
late tribunal, it should not be allowed to
Weigh against the great injustice which
the present operation of the system pro-
duces.
TRUST that may be also pardoned
for renewing the recommendation have
so often submitted to your attention, in
regard to the mode of electing the Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
States. All the reflection l have been
able to bestow upon the subject, increas-
es my conviction that the best interest of
the country will be promoted by the a
doption of some plan which will secure,
in all contingencies, that important right
of sovereignty to the direct control of
the People. Could this be attained, and
the terms ofthose officers be limited to
single period of either four or six years,l
think our liberties would possess an ad-
ditional safeguard.
AT your last session l called the atten-
ton of Congress in the destruction ofthe
public building occupied by the Treasu-
ry Department. As the public interest
requires that another building should be
erected, with as little delay as possible,
it is hoped that the means will be season.
ably provided, and that they will be am
ple enough to authorize such an enlarge
ment and Improvement in the plana of
the building as will more effectually ac-
commodate the public officers, and Sc
cure the public documents deposited it
from the casualties of fire.
have not been able to satisfy myself
that the bill entitled "An act to improve
the navigation of the Wabash river
which was sent to me at the close of
your last session, ought to pass, and
have therefore withheld from it my ap-
provaI, and now return it to the Senate,
the body in which it originated.
There can be no question connected
with the administration ofpublic affairs,
more important or more difficult to be
satisfactorily dealt with, than that which
relates to the rightful authority and prop
er action of the Federal Government up
on the subject of Internal Improvements,
TO inherent embarrassmcnts have been
added others resulting from the course of
our legislation concerning 1t.
have heretofore communicated freely
with Congress upon this subject, and in
adverting to it again, l cannot refrain
from expressing my increased conviction
of its extreme importance, as well in re-
gard to its bearing upon the mainten-
ance of the Constitution and the prudent
management of the public revenue, as
on aconnt ofits disturbing effect upon the
harmony of the Union.
We are in no danger from violations
of the Constitution by which encroach-
nents are made upon the personal rights
of the citizen. The sentence of condem-
nation long since pronounced by the A
mcrican People upon acts of that charac-
ter, will, doubt not, continue to prove
as salutary in its effects as it is irreversi-
bic in its nature. But against the dam
gers of unconstitutional acts, which, in
stead of menacing the vengeance of Of
Tended authority, proffer local advanta-
ges, and bring in their train the patron
age of the Government, we, are, fear,
not so safe. To suppose that because
our Government has been instituted for
the benefit of the People, it must there
fore have the power to do whatever may
seem to conduce to the public good, is an
error, into which even honest minds are
too apt to fall. In yielding themselves
to this fallacy, they overlook the great
considerations ir which the Federal Con-
stitution was founded. They forget that
in consequence of the conceded diversi-
ties i'm the interest and condition of the
different States, it was forseen at the Pc
riod of its adoption, that although par
ticular measure of the Government light
be beneficial and proper in one State, it
might be the reverse in anOther-that 1t
was for this reason the States would not
consent to make a grant to the Federal
Government of the general and usual
powers of Government, but of such only
as were specifically enumerated, and the
probable effects of which they could, as
they thought, safely anticipate and they
forget also the paramount obligation up
on all to abide by the compact, then so
sOlemnly, and ,sas it was hoped, so firm
ly established. In addition to the dam
gers to the Constitution springing from
the sources / have stated, there has been
one which was perhaps greater than all.
/ allude to the materials which this SUBJ
ject has afforded for sinister appeals to
selfish feelings, and the opinion hereto
fore so extensively entertained ofits adap-
tation to the purposes of personal ambit-
ion. With such stimulants it is not sur
prising that the acts and prctensions of