, 1841-07-24
SATURDAY, JULY "a, 1871.
Donation to the Widow OF
General Harrison.

president, was violently opposed IN both
Houses of Congress. Its passage was
warmly contested not only upon the grounds
Of its unconstitutionality but upon the im:'
policy Of making a precedent Of the kind
fraught as it is with the worst consequences
to the country. But every effort to sustain the
constitution, and TO adhere to its wise i%njunc-
tionswere unsuccessful whilst contending agar
nstthe~ prejudices and headstrong impulses Of
a party, who madly avail themselve, Of every
opportunity to show their power and who
regardless of right, trample upon those sa-
cred principles, upon which have heretofore
depended the prosperity Of our Government.
Though an open infringmen, of the cons.i-
tuition was the necessary consequences Of the
passage Of this bill and the impolicy Of ex-
hausting our Treasury with such apPropria-
tons wa, rendered evident from the repeat
ed demands, which must be made for the
future, and which such a precedent will
sanction -still-as regardless Of expediency-
as Of their oa,hs, they commit this manifest
outrage upon all that we should hold dear &
inviola.e, and which il has been the care OF
years to preseve. No such precedent can
be found in our legislature proceedings, tojus-
tify this donation, but numerous instances
have occurred where applications have been
made in vain to congress,seeonded by the calls
Of humanity, and OF gratitude to relieve the
distressed, and INDECENT widows Of men, who
have consumed their fortunes, and devoted
their talents to the public good. Il is true
tina, beunties have been conferred upon the
families of Military and Naval Offices whe
have died in defence Of their country. and
that pensions have been granted where they
have been disabled from remaining IN serv-
ice, and their means Of subsistence have
been rendered precarious from the injuries
which they have sustained. But it should
be remembered, that their is amarked distinc-
ton between civil and military offices. Upon
the former certain limits have been wisely
imposed & from, tie character Of the services
rendered, the appropriations may be lookeduP-
on rather as the mere liquidation Of publicdebts
than as voluntary donations. But upon eixl
Offices no such bounds can he set, and from
their great variety, togather with the pecu-
liar circumstances under which applications
for assistance may be made path once
opened will inevitably lead 10 constant and
innumerable demands upon our Treasury.
Hence we may JUICE Of the care with which
Congress has guarded against 4 precedent OF
this character, and so far indeed has this
feeling been carried, than when La Fayetie
visited our country.though welcomed by the
grateful benedictions Of the whole nation,
and regarded as the beneiactof Of our land,
still they paused in making him a donations,
fearing that 1t would be regarded as an IN
fringement Of this wise rule, whilst it was in
fact, only in discharge Of a pre-exist-
ing debt. But in addition TO its ineSpedisn-
cy it is equally evident, that it Isl wanton
invasion OF our constitution. There IS no
clause to be found that will in the slightest
degree sanction it, hut to the contrary the
HdtlleiS vi uldl uuulS NOih, NCiC W.
the abuses that nigh. ensue from granting
power that could be rendered subssrvient to
the vilest purposes. Jealous then of confer
ring all those privileges that might be atten-
ded with such disastrous results, they gave
to Congress so far as the monied interest OF
the nation were concerned, the right OF co.'s
lecting taxes duties &C., for the protection OF
the nation, and for the payment Of public debts
our which powers were considered sufficient
in that respect to effectthe grand purposes oil
federal Government. Other rights were
carefully withheld as properly belonging TO
the states, who originally sovereign were
willing to yield these powers for the purpose
of efiecting the great ends Of the confedera-
cy, and in view of the advantages afforded
them. Congress then can exercise no pow
ers that is not expressly granted, and no sucn
power was granted as that exercised ID ma
king the appropriation for the relief oil Mrs.