Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-02-04

ing It's action TO the specific enumerated powers o In
Constitution itself If the general we!.ure be III
only limitation the discretion Of Congress, why the
any enumeration OF powers at all All power was a
once gwen, and The judgment of Congress was thereb
declared to be The Constitution of the Consedesacy
w bat right have 10 set aside The judgment of TIN
convention? They chose, by enumera;ing the powers
to show what were intended be national objects;
The very enumeration excludes the idea OF Legislation
upon subjects not enumerated
The minority consider The proposition 10 pledge The
faith Of this Government for the redemption Of $500
OOO,0OO Of public stock, TO relieve the States pay
their debts, as involving The whole taxing power of this
Government.
II IS proposition 10 tax poscry, not for the ex
iscnce and independence of tue Coniederacy, but fo
purposes unknown 10 the Constitution and al will
those principles of liberty, which to free peo
pie the practical right 10 tax themselves alone, and 10 be
protected from the lawcss p.oaigacy of those wlo may
have assumed to bind them in oil future time.
In all civilized countries, the line which limits tit
power Of Government as to taxaiion is the line ina
defines enlightened liberty. There OF the
States that owe nothing and many but ht.!e and IL
compel 'sen to become jointly LIABLE by the action
this FEDERAL Government for TIE debts of tic o,he
States, would be an act Of such gross injustice 10 them
that it would create feelings hostile 10 The perauency
Of the Union. The strength Ct our Union consists in
the Coecrnmen acting Nth acsc Jorbcanaca ypun sub
jcets fdoubm inport-in dong eract justice alt tn
paTtieS-ia imposing equM durdtas-and mildly shcd
ding around Equal Hessinys upon ALL By such course
will generate feelings Of devoted attachment in
loyal and free people, who will be ready defend
il from aggressluns abroad, from treason al home.
The strength OF the Government doss not consist IN
arbitrary great power but in the attachment, Of an
intelligent; people TO those gTea, principles which make
them Tree and equal II The Government assumes a
doubtful power, The exercise OF which pable
injustice 10 whole communities its operation s. alien
ate The feelings of those who suffer and loosen The
hon J.t bnfE t,a
The creation Of such Government dcat would only
end in taxing The productive industry of the country
Tor the benefit of stockholders and spectators Those
who deal in Government funds, and live by the iluc.
tuatons OF paper might amass fortunes; but III great
aoorlng class would be beyond the reach Of s bene.
fits, whilst they would be made finally feel its bur.
dens, in the future taxation Of The Government to
meet the vast obligations thus incurred 1t is wild end
visionary 10 suppose that tue creation Of such sGc
would add any thing 10 the national wealth. 1t would
only tend 10 make the industrious and solvent liable
for the debts of the abandoned and prclga,e The
first immediate effect would BE- to swell expansion and
stimulate bloated paper currency, which would be
felt IN foreign xchanges setting against US, and
sequent demand for gold and silver 10 adjust balances
1t would place our local currency above the level of
the currency Of the world, and create Drain for
specie IL eauaize H. This Of course would inc vitality
end in explosion, like the Mississippi bubble or the
French ussIgnas. Without intending to go into full
argument, but merely TO suggest the general grounds
of opposition the minority look upon lie whole scheme
unconstitutional, wild, and visionary, and full of
fraud and the crosses, in usce.
The undersigned, therefore, propose that the reso-
luton of the committee he amended, by eddns thereto
the following words:
Resolred, Jurtter, That, 10 adopt the recommended
tons Of The said memorials would be unconstitutional,
and dangerous 10 The harmony Of the Union.
F. W. PlCKENS,
JOHN w. JONES,
e.. q. ATHERTON.