Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-04-01


might be, in the absence Of history, the
gravest doubts as 10 the powers conceded
or retained. The Constitution of the Uni
ted States, II Is true, is but bundle Of
special grants. When power, therefore,
is not specially and plainly granted, the
presumption must be against 1t. But this
presumption iaust be an everything fact.
where it has been expressly proposed, in
the convention which formed the Consii-
tuition, TO be given, and il has been denied.
There is no room for argument. Power
may assert and dogmatize, but il can con-
vince no one, but him whose interests or
prejudices control his reason. To main
tain, after the history of the Convention !
have laid before you, that Congress " can
provide for cutting canals" or "to open
roads and navlgations," in the absence Of
any such power in the Constitution, and
the express refusal 10 grant it in the con
vention which made it, is proof how
vain is right in struggles for power. CO.
verneur Morris's whole batch OF federal
ism, was put down and rejected in the
convention. 1t grasped both the taxing
and expanding power, and was designed
10 render both limitless, excepting at the
discretion of Congress. As money is the
great instrument Of all government, he
knew that unlimited power over money,
was all that was necessary 10 secure con-
soldation in government. How he would
triumph if he were now upon this floor,
and saw his whole policy complete, not BY
by the instrumehtality of his ancient
friends, but by that of his ancient foes?
A tariff "to promote manufactures" finds
advocates amongst the Democracy of the
North. Appropriations TO open roads
and navigation is upheld By the Demo
cracy of the West. Doubtless, sir, he
would consider them capital good Fede-
ralists. n
Internal improvements is no untried ex-
pertinent in The Union. We have accom-.
plished much by its insrumentality but
look at its history in the States, especially
in the Western States who are now so de-
sirous that we should leap into its devour-
ing vortex. What discretion have they
exhibited in controlling its abuses and ex-
cess? If, for works Immediately
under their eyes, with direct responsible
ity of representation, and direct taxes to
meet the system, 1t has run into The most
hideous and profiigate excess in the States
what viii it be when introduced into
the action of this Government, with ind-
rect, unseen taxes to delray It's costs, and
more distant responsibility by reprcsen.
tation, and greater ignorance Of the sub
jects for appropriations, from their vast
extent
But if experience had not taught us
the fate of this government under such a
system Of appropriation, il could not be
mistaken, in the nature of things. Once
fairly established as the DUTY oil this Co
vernmeni, and instead of Iegisating for
the limited purposes for which the Consli-
tuition was made, protection from foreign
nations, and protection from each oIher,)
we will meet here, to play the grand game
OF plundering each other. Each interest
must combine with others, (and the least
merilorious 'he more unscrupulous) 10 ex-
tort from the rest. Already we have the
foretaste oil the scenes wh'cl' must occur,
ana me protection winch discretion WIN
ahord 70 anuses' IN .ne Jury ana union OF
me wnole "es' ,or 'nese appropriations
Ali constitutional scfop'es' all parry prin'
ciples' SINK before every aPProprlat.nn--
no mater wnat-wnlch goes 70 me " esl.
ana men wnat VIII we seer MOI projects
Or oolecls o. internal Improvements mere
smuggling 'or appropriations ou' !ne
alIeren' sections n o. lne onion' enleIlng
'n'o anu ru''ns 'ne 'a'a, s.r''e. a'N "
ols'',ou'i ,.a a'nong we o'a'es ., 'he mo
hey resu, ,.,g 'ro'ii .ne sues o. 'i,e pup"''
'anus. why sH' uls'r'uu'lon 81 ,ne mo
ney III lle We. nos ou,y IRON 'no pup
M az ~
mIit re Hh IuCStiiuuDlC uitoclIRs u q iC-