Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-12-15

G. watchful eye of selfinterest, the agents of ii
OF people in the State Governments are repres
pc ed, ana kept within the limits of a lust eco,
is omy But If the necessity of levving If
s. taxes be taken from those who make II
appropriations, and thrown upon u more di
'i lant and less responsible set of public agent
: VINO have power to approach the people b
= an indirect and steathy taxation, there
! reason to fear that prodigality will soon super
sede those characteristics which have thu:
far made us look with so much bride anc
confidence to the State Government. as the
main stay of our Union and liberties The
State Legislatures, instead of studying TO re-
strict their State expenditures to the smallest
possible sum, will claim credit for their pro-
fusion, and harrass the General Government
tor increased supplies. Practically, there
would soon be but one taxing power, and that
| vested in body of men far removed from
the people, in which the farmers and mechanic
interests would scarcely be represented
The States would gradually lose their purity
as well as their independence they would
not dale to murmuI at the proceedings of
the General Government, lest they should
lose their supplies all would BE- merged in
a practical consolidation, cemsnted by vide
spread corruption, which could only be era
dictated by one of those bloody revolutions
which occasionally overthrow the despotic
systems of the old world.
In all the other aspects in which l have
been able 10 look at the effects of such
principle of distribution upon the best inter-
ests of the country, can see nothing 10 COM
pensate for.thc disadvantages to which have
diverted. If we consider the protective
iutes, which are, in great degree, the
source of the surplus revenue, beneficial to
one section of the Union, and prejudicial to
another there is no corrective for the evil
IN such plan Of distribution. On the con-
rary there is reason to fear that all the COM
plants which have sprung from this cause
would be aggravated. Every one must be
sensible that distribution of the surplus
must beget disposition to cherish the means
which created it; and any system, therefore
nto which it enters, must have powerful
endency to increase, rather than diminish
he tariff. If 1t were even admitted that the
advantages of such a system could be made
qual 10 all the sections of the Union, the
easons already so urgently calling for a
eduction ofthe revenue, would, nevertheless,
ose none of their force; for it will always
'e improbable that an intelligent and virtuous
community can consent TO raise surplus
or the mere purpose of dividing it, diminish
ID as it must inevitably be by the expences of
he various machinery necessaryto the pro-
eSs
The safest and simplest mode of obviating
III the difficulties which have been mention
ID. is TO collect only revenue enough to meet
he wants of the Government, and let the
people keep the balance of their property in
heir own hands, TO be used for their own
profit. Each State will then support its own
Government, and contribute its due share TO,
wards the support of the General Govern
nent. There would be no surplus to cramp
md lessen the resources of individual wealth
md enterprise, and the banks would be left
o their ordinary means. Whatever agita-
ions and fluctuations might arise from our
Unfortunate paper system, they could never
re attributed, Justly or unj Justly, TO the action
# the Federal Government There would be
ONE guaranty that the spirit of wild specula
ion, which seeks to convent the surplus re-
enue into banking capital, would be efec-
ually checked, and that the scenes of demo-
alization, which are now so prevalent
hough the land would disappear.
Without desiring to conceal that the expe-
fence and observation of the last two years,
ave operated partial change 10 my views
pom this interesting subject, it is nevertheless
eS 'cu lnaI llS u9geSllODS maze by me IN
ny annual messages of 1929 and 1880, have
een greatly misunderstood. At that time,
he great struggle was begun against that
construction of the constitution,
which authorizes the unlimited appropriation
If the revenues of the Union to internal i'm
orovements within the States, tending to in
yest in the hands. and place under the control,
IF the General Government all the principal
loads and canals of the country, in violation
IF State rights, and in derogation Of State
authority At the same time, the condition
IF the manufacturing interest was such as to
;reate an apprehension that the duties on i'm
ports could not without extensive mischief be
reduced in season to prevent the accumula-
ion al considerable surplus after the pay
neut of the national debt. In view Of The
hangers of such a surplus, and in preference
o its application to internal improvements,
N dorogation Of the rig hts and powers of the
States, the suggestion Of an amendment of
he constitution TO authorize It's distribution
was made. 1t was an alternative for what
were deemed great evis-a temporary resort
to relieve an overburdened Treasury until the
Government could, without sudden and de-
revulsion in the business of the
gradually return TO the just principle
of raising no more revenue from the peopIe,iu
taxes than is necessary for its economical sup
port. Even that alternative was not spoken
of but in connection with an amendment Of
the constitution No temporary inconveb-
fence can justify the exercise Of prohibited