Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-03-16

sa tendency On the part of This Government
10 orerstep the boundaries marked ont for IL
oy the constitution. Its legitimate authors
anundan!ly suflicien, Tor all the purpo.
SOS iof winch u was created and lis powers
seing expressly enumerated, there can be no
l!ns'IacatIon Tor claiming any thing beyond
them. Every attempt to exercise power
beyond these limits should be promptly and
firmly opposed. For one ev;! example will
lead TO other measures still more mischiev-
Gus; and II the principle of constructive
powers or supposed advantages, or Temporal
fys'rc1mstances, shall ever ta permitted TO
justify the assumption OF power not given
by The constitution, TIE G neral Government
Will before long absorb Nil the powers of ie-
gIsiation, and you will have, in effect, but
one consolidated Government. From the ex-
tent OF our country, lis diversified interests,
different pursuits, and different habits, il is
TOO obvious for argument that single con.
solidated Government would be wholly mad
equate TO watch over and protect lis interests;
and every trieni Of our free institutions
should be always prepared TO maintain un>
impaired and IN full vigor The rights and SOW
ereIsnty o! the States, and TO ccnfine the ac
ton OF the General Government strictly TO
the sphere ofits appropriate duties.
There, is, perhaps, no one OF the powers
conferred on the Federal Government so IL
able TO abuse as the taxing power. The
most productive and convenient sources of
revenue were necessarily given 10 it, that it
Nigh; be able 10 perform the important
duties imposed upon il and the taxes which
II lays upon commerce being concealed from
the real payer in the price of the article,
they do not SO readily attract the attention of
the people as smaller sums demanded from
them directly by the taxga,herer. But tho
tax imposed on goods enhances by so much
the price OF the commedity OF the consumer;
and, as many OF these duties are imposed on
articles OF necessity, which are daily used by
the great cody OF the people, the money rails
dby these tnposts is drawn from their poCk-
ets Congress has no right, under the con-
stitution, TO take money from the people, I'M
less IT is required 10 execute some one ofihe
SPECIFIC powers intrusted TO the Govern
ment and if they raise more than is neces-
sary for such purposes, il is an abuse OF the
power OF taxation, and unjust and oppressive.
IL may, indeed, happen that the revenue will
sometimes exceed the amount anticipated
when the taxes were laid. When, however,
this is asceEtained, it is easy 10 reduce them:
and, in such case, il is unquestionaSly the
duty of the Government TO reduce them, for
no circumstance can justify il in assuming
power not given TO il by the constitution, nor
IN taking away the money of the people when
the Government.
Piais as these principles appear to be, you
will yet find that there is coastast effort to
induce the General Government to go be-
yond The liIaits OF lis taxing power, and TO
impose unnecessary burdens upon the pee
pie. Many powerful interests are continual
ly at work 10 procure heavy duties on com,
meIce, and TO swell the revenue b4Send the
rea! necessities of the public service ard
the country has already felt the injurious eff
fecis OF their combined infuence.-They
succeeded in obtaining u tariff of duties
bearing mort oppressively on the agricuhu-
raj and iabnring classes of society, and pro-
ducing revenue that could moi be usefully
emrloye within the range OF the powers con
'er!ed upon Congress and in order TO fasen
upon The people This unjust and unequel sys-
TEN OF taxation, eXtravagant schemes of in
ierhai improvement were got up, in various
quarters, 10 sgannder the money, and 10 pur-
Chase support. I hus, one uncon si;tutional
measure was intended 10 be upheld by ano,
Tier, and the abuse oi The power of .taxaiion
was TO he .maintiined by usurping the VOW
er OF eXfending the money in internal i'm
provemen's. You cannot haze forgotten the
severe aad doubtiui struggle through which
we passed, when the Executive Department
Of the Government, by its veto, endeavored
10 arrest This proligal scheme of injustice,
and TO bring back the legislation OF Con-
gress to the boundaries prescribed by the
constitution. The good sense and practical
Judgment Of the people when the subjec: was
| brought before them, sustained the cause of
The Executive; and this plan OF unconstitus
| tIonal expenditure for the purpose OF corrupt
influence is, trust, finally overthrown.
The resuh Of this decision has been felt in
The rapid extinguishment Ct the bubble debt.
ana The large accumulation Of Surplus in
The treasury, Notwithstanding The tariff was
reduced, and is now very far below the a.
mount originally contemplated by IT'S advo-
cafes But, rely upon it, ,he design 10 col
Iect an eXlravagraDt revenue, and 10 burden
you with taxes beyond the economical wants
OF the Government; IS neryet aban5oned Tba
various interests which have combined TO-
geihcr 10 impose IL heavy tariff, and TO pro.
uuce an overto" ing Treasury are too strong
anu have too much al stake TO surrender III,
contest. The corporations and wealthy in
oFidua!s who are engaged in large manu-
featuring establishments, desire Ri~h ,ar;f
,olncreaSe tbeiF gains. Designing politician
WIZ support IT, 10 coDciIiatc their favor, AM
to obtain The means Of profuse expenditure
ior The purpose of purchasing influence in O.
tner quarters and since the people have de
cided that the Federal Government caBno
DC perniiicd 10 employ lis income in inter
nal Improvements, efforts will be made q
seduce and mis!ead the citizens of the sever
NJ States, by holding out 10 them The deceit
iui prospect OF benefits 10 he derived from {
J surplus revenue collected by the Genera
| Government aud annually divided among