Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-05-06

revenue for the respective States, and does
provide one, it is clear that one great dis
tinctive feature Of our political system Will
disappear, and that the relations between
the confederation as such, and the indiyid
ual States composing II, will be wholly
changed. Human slgacity cannot foretel
what would lie the entire result of this
state Of things, but 1t is easy to predict that
this new application Of The money power
would give to The government of the United
States a Strength never contemplated by
The Amer! IAN people, and irreconcileabIe
with our constitutional organization, and
that it would lead to habit Independence
on the part Of the States, by which their
eiiiclency to resist any encroachments OF
the general government would be paral-
ysed. Without pushing these consderl.
lions further, conclude this branch of the
subject by repeating, that, in my opinion,
no distribution oflhe proceeds of the pub.
lie lands shooldbe made.
The subject ola protective tariff has
been SO long and ably discussed, that it
would be useless for me to do more than
10 give you the result of my views.
think, then, that the revenue of the gov
eminent ought to he brought down to the
loves; point compatible with the perform.
ance Of its constitutional functions; and
thai in the imposition Of duties, necessary,
with the proceeds of the public lands, to
provide this revenue, incidental pro &c.
ton should lie afforded to such branches
OF American industry as may require it
This appears 10 me not onl y constitution
| al but called for by the great interests Of
the county, and ia protective tariff, upon
this principle, were wisely and moderate
ly established, AMI then left to lis own
operation, so that the community could
calculate upon lis reasonable duration,
and thus avoid ruiDoLs fluctuations, we
might Look for a general acqniescence in
the arrangements, as we can ever expect
in questions of this complicated kind,
when local feelings have been enlisted,
which pcu lent legislature must consult,
lore or less, AMI enleayor 10 reconcile.
A proposition TO amend the constitution
OF the United Sites, is one which | should
always rec lie with great caution. "a
fheo is already 10 our country TOO great
a disposition TO seek, in the chlnges Of
the laws and constitutions, remedies for
evils to which all societies are more or
less liable; instead oil leaving them to find
their own cure in the operation OF the or
binary causes which act upon communi-
ties. 1t is often better 10 suffer partial
Inconvenience, than rashly to alter the
fundamental principles OF political sys.
tenn. Stability is better than change,
when change is not decidedly called for
| am not aware that the exercise of the
vote power has, for many years, produced
any injury 10 the public service. On the
contrary, think in those cases where it
has been recently interposed, it has been
properly applied, and that ITS action has
been approved by great majority of the
people. lsee, therefore, no practical evil
which demands, in this repect, change
in the constitution OF the United StateS.-|
Should cases Of that nature occur, i will
then be time to seek the proper remedy
Your last questions regard the obliga-
tons which the nomination of a national
democratic convention should impose up
on those persons whose names have been
brought forward in connection with the
presidency Of the United States. In the
summer OF iS4l, in answer to an applica-
hon from committee appointed by a
democratic meeting IN the city OF Phila
delphia, | stated my determination not 10
suffer my name 10 be used in this matter,
unless nominated by the national demo-
cratic convention. TO that declaration |
vet adhere, and add, in the terms Of your
question, that | shall give my support and
influence TO the Lominee OF that conven-
lion. | beg leave, however, to remark, as
the subject has excited discussion in repec.
table quarters, tina! am firmly impressed
with the belief tn tnoportion ofthe demo-
cratic party WI weaken its ST ength,
or haZ ,rd the favorable result we have a
right TO expect, by preci pl;ating the period
of the meeting Of the convention. The
great object is ualjn ofvlewS, TO prevent
the efforts OF the party from being rcnler-
ed useless by divisions, and this union is
best attained by that process, which shall
best ascertain the public will-ihe only
legitimate source Of authority. To effect
this, the representatives at the convention
should come from the people; and should
assemble 10 exercise their functions in as
short an interval before the Presidential
election as may be compatible with the
preparatory arrangements and invesiiga-
lions which such great object requires
The people should have all the time pos
sible TO express their latest will in the
nomination of the candidate 10 be submit
ted for their support. Nothing can be
gained, and much may be lost by undue