The People's press, and anti-masonic Democrat. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1836-1838, 1837-09-12

associations. If its operations were to be direct
ed for the benefit of any one class, equivalent
faVors must, In Justice be extended to the rest :.
and the attempt to bestow such favors with an
equal hand, or even to select those who should
most deserve them, would never be successful.
All communities are apt to look to Govern.
ment for too much Even in our own country
where its powers and duties are so strictly linn
tied, we are prone to do so, especially at peri.
DDS of sudden embarrassment aud distress But
this ought not to be. The trainers of our ex-
cellent Constitution, and the people who appro.
we'd 1t with calm and sagacious deliberation,
acted at the time on sounder principle. They
wisely Judged that the less Government inter-
teres with private pursuits, the better for the
general prosperity. 1t is not its legitimate
object to make men rich or to repair, by direct
grants of money or Legislation in favor of par
tIcular pursuits, losses not incurred in the pub
lie service. This would be substantially to use
the property of some for the benefit of Others
But its real duty-that duty, the performance
of which makes a good Government the most
precious of human blessings-is to enact and
enforce system of general laws commensurate
with, but not exceeding, the objects of its es-
adjustment; and to leave every citizen and ev-
cry interest to reap, under its benign protec-
ton. the reward of virtue, industry and pru-
dence.
cannot doubt that on this, as on all similar
occasions, the federal constitution will find its
agency most conducive to the security and hap
pIness OF the people, when limited to the exer-
else of its conceded powers. In never assum-
ing, even for well meant object, such powers
as are not designed TO be conferred upon it, we
shall, in reality, do most for the general well
fare 10 avoid every unnecessary interference
with the pursuits of the citizen, will result In
more benefit than to adopt measures which
could only assist limited interests, and are ed
gerly, but perhaps naturally, sought for, under
the pressure Of temporary circumstances. If,
therefore, refrain from suggesting TO Con-
gress any specific plan for regulating the ex
changes of the country, relieving mercantile
cmbarrasSments, or interfering with the ordina-
ny operations of foreign and domestic COM
merce, II is from q conviction that such meas
urcs are not Within the constitutional province
ofthe general government. and that their adop.
ton would not promote the real and permanent
welfare Of those they might be designed to
aid.
The difficulties and distresses Of the times,
though unquestionably great, are limited in
their extent, and cannot be regarded as affect
ing the permanent prosperity of the nation
Arising in a great degree from the transac-
tions of foreign and domestic commerce, it is
upon them that they have chiefly fallen. The
great agricultural interest has, in many parts
Of the country, suffered comparatively little
and, rs if Providence intended to display the
munifcence of its goodness at the moment of
our greatest need and in direct contrast to the
evils occasioncd by the waywardness of man,
VIC have been blessed throughout our extended
territory with season of uncommon fruitful
ness.