, 1840-12-26

beginning, il has been regarded by large por-
ions of our citizens as coming in direct col
lision with that great and vital amendment
of the constitution, which declars that all
powers not conferred by that instrument on
the General Government are reserved TO the
States and to the people; if it has been view
ed by them as the first great step in the
march of latItudinous construction, which,
unchecked, would render that sacred instru-
ment of as little value rs an unwritten con-
stitution, dependent, as 1t would alone be,
for its meaning, on the interested %interpreta-
ton of a dominant party, and afiordIng no
security to the rights of the m~inority:--If
such is undeniably The case, what rational
grounds could have been conceived for an.
ticipating aught but determined opposition
to such an institution at the present day?
Could a different result have been expect
ed, when the consequences which have flowed
from its creation, and particularly from lis
struggles TO perpetuate its existence, had con-
firmed, in SO striking a manner, the %apprehen-
sion of its earliest opponents; when it had
been so clearly demonstrated that a concen-
trated monev-power, welding so vast a CAPT.
tai, and combining such incalculable means of
influence, may, in those peculiar c~onlunc-
lures TO which this Government is unavo ida
bly, exposed, proved an overmatch for the
political power Of the people themselves;
when the true character Of its capacity 10
regulate, according TO It's will and its Inte-
rests, and the interests Of lis ~favorites the val
I've and production of the labor and property
of every man in this extended country had
been so fully and f~earfully developed; when
IT was notorious that all classes of this great
community, had, by the means power and
influence it thus possesses. been injected 10
madness with a spirit ofheadie-s speculation;
when it had been seen that, secure in the
support OF the combination of influences by
which it was surrounded. it could violate its
charter. and set the laws at defiance with
IMMUNITY; and when. too. it had become most
apparent that to believe that such an ac-
cumuiation of powers can ever be granted
without the certainty of being abused, was
10 indulge in a fatal delusIon?
To avoid the necessity of permanent debt.
and its inevitable consequences, | have ad-
vocated. and enieavored 10 carry into effect.
the policy of coniEinr the appropriations for
the public services 70 smch objects only rs are
clearly within the constitutional authority 81!
the Federal Governments; of excluding from
its expenses those impruvideut and unauthor-
lied grants OF public money for works OF IN
ternal improvement. which were so wisely
arrested bv the constitutional Inlerpositlon
of my predecessor. ard which. if they had
not been So checked. would long before this
time have involved the finances Of the cener-
al government in embarrasSIucnls far great
er than those which are now experienced by
any state: of limiting all our expenditures To
that simple. unOstentatI"uS. and economical
administration Of public affairs. which Is alone
consistent with the character Of our institu-
tons. Of collecting annually from tic customs
and the sales of public lands. 4 revenue full
iy inadequate TO deiray all the expenses thus
incurred. Int. under no prcicnce Whatever,
to impose taxes upon the people 10 agreater
amount than was actually necessary 10 the
public service, conducted upon the principles
have stated.
TO be concluded IN our merit.