The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-08-19

es, or political designs restricnon of the
wants Of the Government 10 simple and eco
nomieai administrator OF lis atfairs--the only
adiniuistration which 10 consistent with tho pu-
rity Of the Republican system-a preference in
encourag given to such manufactures AZ are
essential 10 the national defence, and its sxten-
sion to others in proportion as they are adapted
10 our country, and Of which the raw mate
rial is produced by ourselves, with a proper
respect for the rule which demands that all fa1-
es should be imposed 10 proportion TO the abili-
ty and condition Of the contributors, would,
am convinced, give ultimate satisfaction 10 =
vast majority Of the people of the Uniied States,
and arrest that spirit OF diseoBtent which is nov
nnhappily so prevalent, and which threatens sue h
extensive injury TO the institutions Of our coun-
try"
You next ask me, whether would sanction
any bill granting appropriations Of the public
money, Tor the purposes Of internal improve
ment, by means Of canals, railroads, &c.
NV views upon the subject Of Internal I'm.
provemeDf by the Federal Government were
given nj the same time and upon the same APP
plication. They are as follows;
Internal improvements are so diversified in
their nature, and the possible agency Of the
Federal Government in their construction so Va.
rable in it scharacter and degree, as TO render il
not little difficult TO lay down any precise
rule that ~ill embrace the whole subject. The
broadesf, and best defined division is that which
distins sMahes between the direct construction
Of works Of Internal Improvements by the Gen
eral Government, and pecuBiary sssstance Civ
en- by il TO such as are undertaken by others.
In the former are concluded the right to make
and establish roads and canals within the States
and the assumption Of as much jurisdiction o.
yer the territory they may occupy, as is peces-
sary to their preservation and use. The latter
is restricted 10 simple grants Of money, in aid
Of such work, when made under State authori-
y.
The Federal Government does not, in my o.
pinion, possess the power first specified; nor
can il derive il from the assent Of the State in
which snrh works are TO be constructed. The
money power as il is called, is not so free from
difficulty. Various rules have from time to
time been suggested by those who properly ap-
preciats the importance Of precision and Ger
tainly in the operation Of the Federal power
but they have been so frequently infringed upon
by the apparently unavoidable action Of the
Government, that a foal aud satisfactory settle
men, Of the question has been prevented. The
wide difference between definition Of the pow
er in question upon paper, and its practical ap-
pcaion 10 the operations Of Government, has
ed with the management Of public affairs. The
whole subject was reviewed IN the Presidents
Maysvile message. Sincerely believing that
the best interests Of the whole county, the
quiet, If not the stability, Of the Union, and the
prosecution Of the moral force which perhaps,
~ much rs any other, holds il together, impe-
rionsly required that the destructive course OF
egisation upon that subject then prevalent
should, IN some proper and constitutional way
be arrested, i throughout gave 10 the measure,
Of which that document was an exposition, my
active, jealous, and anxious support.
"The opinions declared by he President in the
Maysvilc, and his succeeding annual message,
~ ] understand them, are rs follows: That
Congress does not possess the power 10 make
AMI establish road ot canal within State,
with right of Jurisdiction to the extent have
stated aud that il it is the wish Of the people
that tho construction Of such works should be
undertaken by the Federal Government, pre-
vious amendment of the Constitution conferrine
that power, and defining and restricting its ex-
ercise with reference to the sovereignty Of the
States, as indispensable. I'd. An iptimaion oi
his belief that tho right to make appropriations
IN aid of such Internal Improvements as are OF
a national character, has been so generally act
cd upon, and so long acquiesed in by the Fed
erai and State Governments, aud the consiIiu-
enis of each, 10 Justify its exercise, but that II
is nevertheless highly exprdient that even such
appropriations shonld, with The exception OF
such rs relate to light houses, beacous, buoys,
public peers, and other improvements in the
harbors and navigable rivers Of the United
States, for The security and facility Of our for
cign commerce, be deferred at least until our
ns,ionrl debt is paid. Sd. That ifit is the wish
of the people that the agency Of the Federal
should be restricted TO the appro.
pration of money, and extended in that form in
aid of such undertakings, when carried on by
State authority, then the occasion, the manner
and the extent Of the appropriation, should be
make the subject Of Constitutional regulation.
"ln these views eoncurred; and ! likewise
participated in the difficulties which were en-.
countercd, aud expressed by the President, in
adopting the principle which comedies TO the
Federal Government the right to make aPpro-
paio,ons in aid Of works which might be regar-
ed rs Of national Observation-Disclosures which
arose as well from the danger Of considering
mere usage the foundation Of the right, rs from
the extreme uncertainty and consequent inse-
cnriiy of the best role that had ever been adopt
ed, or that could, in the absence Of positive
constitutional provision, he established. The
reasons on which these objections we're founded
are so fully stated in the document referred TO,
and have been 30 extensively promulgated, that
1t is unnecessary FOR me to repeat them here
Subsequent reflection and experience have
confirmed my apprehension of the injurious
consequences which would probably flow from
the continuation Of appropriations for Internal
Improvements; with no hrtter rule for the gov
eIpmept Of Congress than that Of which have
spoke; and do not hesitate to express il as my
opinion, that the general and true interests OF
the country would be best consulted by with
holding them, with the exceptions which have
already referred TO, until some constitutional
regulation upon the subject has been made.
."In this syowal ! am certainly not influenced
by feelings Of indifference, much less Of hos,ii-
~, TO Internal Improvements. As such they
can have no enemies. have never omitted to
give them all the proper aid in my power 70,
which, by the way, | claim no particular merit,