Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-08-27
NEW sERIEs-VOL l. NO. 4.

Federal Government to direct its opera
tiOns in the manner best calculated to
distribute, as equally as possible, its
burdens and blessings amongst the sever
al states and the people. My views up.
on this subject were several years ago
spread before the people Of the State,
and have since been widely diffused thrO'
the medium of the public press. My OBJ
ject at that time was to invite the atten.
ton Of my immediate constituents to a
dispassiOnate consideration of the sub
lject in its various bearings, being well as
sured that such an investigation would
bring them to q standard, which, from its
moderation and justice, would furnish
the best guarantee for the true interests
Of all. If, as has been supposed, those
views have contributed in any degree to
produce state of feeling so much TO be
desired, have reason 10 be gratifed
with the result
"The approaching, and, if the policy
of the present Executive is allowed to
prevail. the certain and speedy extin-
guishment Of the national debt, has pre-
Sented an opportunity for more equiia-
BILE adjustment of the tariff, which has
been already embraced by the adoption
of a conciliatory measure, the spirit of
which will, / doubt not, continue 10 be
cherished by all who are not desirous of
advancing their private interests at the
sacrifice of those of the public, and who
place Just value upon the peace and
harmony Ofthe Union.
"The protective system and its pro-
per adjustment became subject of fire.
Quent and necessary consideration, whilst
formed part of the Cabinet; and the
manner in which the President proposed
to carry into effect the policy in relation
to imposts, recommended in his previous
messages, has since been avowed with
that frankness which belongs to his char
acter. To this end, he recommended "a
modification of the tariff, which should
produce reduction of the revenue TO the
wants ofthe Government and an adjust
ment of the duty upon imports, with a
view to equal justice in relation 10 all
our national interests, and to the counter
action of foreign policy, so far as it may
be INJURIOUS TO those interests
In these sentiments | fully concur; and
have been thus explicit in the statement
Of them, that there may be no room for
misapprehension as to my OWL views up
on the subject. A sincere and faithful
application of these principles 10 our leg
islation, unwarped by private interest or
POLITICAL design--a restriction of the
wants of the Government to a simple
and economical administration of its af-
fairs--the only administration which is
consistent with the purity and stability
ofthe Republican system--a preference
in encouragement giyen to such manu-.
factures as are essential to the national
defence, and its extension to others in
proportion as they are adapted to our
country, and of which the raw material
is produced by ourselves, with a proper
respect 70: the rule which demands that
all taxes should be imposed in proportion
to the ability and condition of the con-
tributors, would, | am convinced, give
ultimate satisfaction TO a vast majority
of the people of the United States, and
arrest that spirit of discomfort which is
now unhappily SO prevalent, and which
threatens such extensive injury TO the in
stitutions of our coun try"
You next ask me, whether would
sanction any bill granting appropriations
of the public money, for the purposes OF
internal improvement, by means of ca
mails, railroads, &c.
My views upon the subject of internal
improvement by the Federal Government
were given a: the same time and upon
the same application. They are as fol
lows:
"lnternal improvements are so diver.
si6ed in their nature, and the possible
agency of the Federal Government in
their construction so variable in its char
acter and degree, as to render it not lit
tie difficult 10 lay down any precise rule
that will embrace the whole subject
} The broadest and best defined division il
that which distinguishes between the di
. rect construction of works Of internal i'm
provement by the General Government
and pecunary assistance given by it t
such as are undertaken by others. i
J the former are included the right TO max
and establish roads and canals within tn
States, and the assumption of as muc
jurisdiction over the territory they ma
: occupy, as is necessary to their preserva
ton and use. The latter is restricted +
! simple grants of money, in aid of sue
. works, when made under State authority
!, NThe Federal Government does moi
I in my opinion, possess the power frs
: specified ; nor can it derive it from the as
q sent ofthe State in which such work
n are TO be constructed. The money pow
y or, as it is called, is moi SO free from iii
n ficulty. Various rules have from time I
/ time been suggested by those who pr
9 perly appreciate the importance of pr
it cision and certainty in the operations
. the Federal power, but they have bee
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