Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-07-17

any purpose: Can any one doubt that Congress pos
scsses the power TO impose n Tariff 10 The extent indi-
caled BY MIR. Van acknowledgements slIali have power
to lay and collect taxes, &c. Now Congress may abuse
th's power, but that abuse cannot impair the Cnustitu-
lohai right TO lay the tax. Congress may lay a tax
70 the full amount Of every mans substance. Such
a law would be monstrous; yet the power exists
ana no one can deny it. Congress may impose an
oherous and oppressive Tarif-grrutly beyond The
wants OF the Government, yet, the power exists,
ana NJ saler rule can be adopted than The one TO which
Mr.. Van Buren, stands pledged, and that is, Of raising
no more money than the Government may require,
economically administered. To make a Constitutional
quests II depend on the varying opinions Of men, as 10
what amount would be necessary 10 driray the expenses
o! Government economically administered, would
introduce as many rules of construction as ALREADY cS-
Isl IN reference 10 The powers Of the Federal Govern
ment. As 10 Internal Improvements, with the cxccp-
ton before mentioned, and about which men may dis
agree, no man is more orthodox than Mr.. Van Bnren,
as shown by his votes and acts in Congress, and further
also, by the fact, that not a dollar has been appropriated
since his election, to any work involving the principle
OF Internal Improvement, which had its origin since
March 4, 1887. As TO the currency question, MIR. Hun
ter agrees with MIR. Van Buren,; but rcpudiates the idea
OF a separation Of Bank and State, if the bankrupt
bull should become n law. This is another strange
notion of Mr.. Hunters. The bill gives no aulho-
rity TO the President over sound and solvent in
s,ltu,ions-but merely provides, when they become
weak, worthless, and nso'vent-thcir effects shall
be distributed, like those of other bankrupts, pro
rata, amongst their creditors. We are unable to APP
preciate Mr.. Hunters objection to the bill, or 10 see
how it will in the least connect Government with the
State Banks-or make them dependent for existence
on the Federal Government. They will exist by the
legislation OF the States, and maintain their existence
until they become insolvent. Their creditors may then
choose to indulge, but, if they prefer il, take out a
commission, and proceed against them as bankrupts.-
This is our view of the law, as understood by those
friendly to it. But it seems to US that Mr.. Hunter IS
conjuring up a shoSt at last. The provision lie speaks
If bDc h.pp Strintap frp,p tla hi he n HanIsiyn major.
ty in the Senate, and there is but little chance Of lis pass.
ing the House IN lis present shape. Bnt even in view Of
tins objection, as connected with the Sub-trcasmry, Mr..
Hunter thinks MIR. Van Buren, greatly preferable to
Gen. Harrison. He says u bankrupt law can be re-
p~ealed-that Gen. Harrison will, if elected, charter a
Bank, &c. Upon the whole, We cannot understand,
we must confess, the reasons for Mr.. Hunters present
position. How he can hesitate we cannot conceive.
From his own showing, he ought to vote for Mr.. Van
Buren,. He r%epudiates the idea Of choosing between
evils, because "he is not prepared to take the response
bility of the future acts Of either Of them, nor willing
to identify himself with either He says again-"lf
| believed their principles authorized such a course,
when voted for them, could | complain If they after
wards pursued it," Now this Isl strange objection
Docs Mr.. II. expect that he ever will be able 10 com
eide with any public man on all subjects: And might
not the reasons he now urges for not supporting Mr..
V. Buren,, apply with equal, Ifnot greater, force to those
who claim 10 take the lead in behalf of the State Right
doctrines hc advocates. But If, BY refusing to ''take the
responsibility of the future acts" Of Mr.. Van Buren,,
should General Harrison reach the Presidential Chair,
repeal The Sub.,rcasury, eatablish a National Bank;
increase the Tariff, to raise a surplus, and then divide
it among the States, TO pay their debts and carry on
Internal improvements, might it not be a source OF re-
greet to all, who, like MIR. Hunter, 'eannot now take the
responsibility of the future acts of either To our
minds, it is The easiest thing in the world TO choose be-
tween evils. If we cannot get all we want, why put
up with a part until opportunity offers to get more. 1t
is the height of folly 10 reject 4 part, because we cannot
get all. We cannot conceive how, if Mr.. Hunter
should, in the fall, vote for Mr.. Van Buren,. il would
commit hun TO all the measures he might
or why he cannot take the responsibility. lie may
rely upon it, that Mr.. Van Buren, will do nothing IN
consistent with his pledges on all the prominent sub
iccts before the country. We hope MIR. II. will yet
see the error of his way, and, upon u 'S0ber second
Mought," abandon so protitless q position.
pIIIO