Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-04-08
RICHMOND. Va, FRI
GENERAL JACKSoN'S "SuBER THOUGHT"
On tLe Point nOlc at Issue .
,ye hive devoted considerable portion of this day

Snr;na Elections in Virginia. Among these, are Mr.
Aliens luminous and practical Speech IN the Senate Q"
the limited Sates-Mr Cramers comprehensive he
port in the Legislature OF New forKLMr. Wooa
b,,v's Points, &C., &c We have another authority
~ nroduce-whch the Wings have in another form at
tonnted to turn against us-und we commend tne
cbalice 10 their lips. This is Andrew Jackson MN
,elf. whom the Wing Orators in the Legislature, ana
the Norfolk Herald and other presses are quot'ng,
from h;s Messape of ls30) in behalf of certain ap-
oortionment of revenue among the States But, al
lint time the situation OF the country was very oie.
ent from what it is now-Ihen, the treasury was ioi'
| IN overfowing-n as it is now, when II is empty.
TbD there was no occasion to raise money Tor the pur-
Zoo If ds,ribuon-as is the at this tme-ior,
| whatever money now give away among the states,
mnst be raised upon the People. And is not this the
same 10 all intents and purposes, as rasIng It lot
The sake of distributions 1t against this principle,
that in his last Annual Message, of December, 1886,
and in his Farewell Address TO the People in March,
1887 General Jackson protests in the following EN-
phaic terms - :,
rive beg leave to return the compliment TO the Nor.
folk Herald and "refresh its memory upon that Po'nt'
IF,om General aeksons annual Message, G. 1885,
ait system, liable 10 such objections, that 1t could
never be supposed 10 have been sanctioned by the
frumers of the Constitution, when they conferred on
Congress the taxing power and feel persuaded that
mature examination Of the subject will satisfy every
one that there nsurmounable difficulties IN the ope-
ration of any plan which be DEVISED OF collecting
/
only authorized levy taxes, to puy the debts, and
provide for the common defence and general welfare
of the United States. There is no such provision as
would authorize Congress to collect together the pro-
perty of the country, under the name OF revenue, tor
the purpose of dividing it equally nnequuy among
the States, or the people. Indeed, it not probable that
such an idea ever occurred TO the States, when they
adopted the Constitution. But, however this may be,
the only safe rule for interpreting the powers
granted to the Federal Government, is 10 regard the
anca rifv IN an m
portant and delicate as this Isl as equivalent tn pro.
hbition Even if powers were less doubtful, in
this respect the Constitution stands, there are
considerations afforded by recent experience, which
would seem TO make it duty to avoid a resort TO
such system. All will admit, that the simplicity and
economy Of the State Governments mainly depend on
the fact that money has to be supplied to support them
by the men, their agents, who vote 1T away IN
appropriations Hence, when there are extravngant
and wastefu appropriations, there must be cores.
bonding increase OF taxes; and the people, becoming
Awakened will necessarily scrunize the character OF
measures which thus increase their burdens By the
wachful eye of sclfinteres the agents Of the people
in the State Governments repressed and kept within
the limits of just economy. But if the necessity OF
Lowing the taxes be taken from those who make the
appropriations, and thrown upon more distant and
less responsible Of public agents, who have power
approach the people by an indirect and seathy taxa
ton, there is 10 fear that prodgalty will soon
suuersede those characteristics which have thus Tar
made US look with much pride and confidence TO the
State Governments, the mainsay OF our union and
liberties The State Legislatures, instead OF studying 10
restrict their State expenditures to the smaes; possible
sum- will claim credit for hci profuson and harrass the
General Government for increased supplies practically
there would be but taxing power That vested
in body Of men far removed from the people, in which
the farming and mechanic interests would scarcely be
represented. The States would gradually lose their
purity as we'll as their independence. They would not
dare 10 nurmur the proceedings of the General Co
le,f how Ohm loaa thpIr
would be merged in practical consolidation cemcnted
by wide spread corruption which could only be eradi
Gated by Of those bloody revolutions which occa.
sionaly overthrow the despo,ic systems of the old
world"
Speaking of Internal improvements General Jack
son says "withou desiring to conceal that the eIpe
renee and observation of the last years have
rated partial change my views upon this interest
iDg subject il is nevertheless regretted, that the
gestons made by me, my Annual Messages of 1929
f and 1890, have been greatly misunderstood. AT that
time the great struggle begun against that attu
dnarian construction Of the Constitution, which au.
thozes the unlimited appropriation of the revenues OF
the Union TO Internal improvements within the States,
tending TO invest in the hands, and place under the
control Of the General Government all the principal
roads and canals Of the country, in violation of State
Rights and in derogation of State authority. Al the
same time, the condition Of the manufacturing inter-
ests such create apprehension that the du-
ties on imports could not, without extensive mischief
be reduced season, to prevent the accumulation of
considerable surplus after the payment of the national
debt. In view of the dangers OF such surplus and
in preference 10 its application to Internal Improve
ments, in derogatnn OF the rights and powers OF the
States, the suggestion of amendment Of the Con.
stuon 10 authorize its distribution was made. IL
was alternative for what were deemed greater evils
a temporary resort to relieve over-burdened Trea
F. sury until the Government could, without sudden
and destructive revulsion in the business Of tho
try gradually return to the just principle of raising
more from the people, in taxes, than is neces
sary for its economical support Even that alter
native was spoken OF, but in connection with an
amendment of the Constitution. No temporary incon
venience can justify the exercise of prohibited power
power not granted by that instrument and it
from conviction, that the power to distribute even
temporary surplus of revenue, is of that character
that it suggested only in connection with ap-
peal The source Of all legal power in the General
, Government-the States which have established it,
No such appeal has been taken and, in my opinion,
distribution Of The surplus revenue by Congress- either
the States the people, sto be considered among
the prohibitions of the Constitution. AS already init
mated my views have undergone change SO far ,o
be convinced that alteration Of the Constitution, in
y this respect, is wise erpedent."
From his paledicfory address, .Noreh 4, 1917
"Do not allow yourselves, my fellow citizens, to be
msled on this subject. The Federal Government can
collect surplus for such purposes, without vic
latng the principles of the Constitution, and assuming
powers which have not been granted. 1t is moreover
system of injustice, and, If persisted in, will inev
taOly leau 10 corruption tnuSt emo In rum Inc
surplus will be drawn from the pockets Of the
peope-from the farmer, the mechanic and the labor
ing classes of socieiy. But who will receive it, when
distributed among The States where TO be disposed
Of by leading State politicians who have friends TO ia
vor and Official partisars 10 graty 1t will certainly
not be returned TO those who paid it, and who have
most need OF it, and honestly entitled TO it. There
but safe rule and that is TO con6ne the General
Government rigidy within the sphere of its appropr
ate duties 1t has no power TO raise revenue, or i'm.
pose taxes except for the purpose enumerated in the
Constitution and if its income is found to exceed those
wants should be forthwith reduced, and the burden.
of the people SO far lighened."
THE NEW HUMBUG OF THE WINGS!
Character and Consequences Of Distribution.
The country the vile game, which these huck
stering humbugging Wings are playing. Distribution
Money their trump card "Money money is
the issue they would raise. They treat the People,
.hay or nany he .o1d-ae thew bad