Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-01-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

tain works IN the Territory OF Wisconsin, ana Tor
other purposes" which had passed both houses, was
presented to me for my approval. | entertained M
superuble objections 10 its becoming law; but the
short period of the session which remained, afforded
me sufficient opportunity to prepare my objections,
and communicate them, with the bill, 10 the House OF
Representatives in which IT orig mated. For this rea
son. the bill returned. and deem 1t proper now
to state my objections to It,
Although, from the title Of the bill, it would seem
that it's object TO make provision for contln
uing certain works already commenced in the Terri
tors OF Wisconsin, II appears. on examination oil It's
provisions, that 1t contains only single appropriation
of sin thousand dollars be applied within that Ter
ritOry, while II approprlaes more than half million
of dollars for the improvement of numerous harbors
and rivers lying within the limits and jurisdiction of
several Of the States of the Union.
At the preceding session of Congress, it became my
duty to return, with my objections, to the house in
which it originated, bill making similar appropri
atoms, and involving like principles; and the views
then expressed remain unchanged.
The circumstances under which this heavy expendi-
ture of public money proposed, were of imposing
weight In determining upon its expediency. Con-
gress had recognized the existence Of with Mex
co. and to prosecute it to ga speedy and successful
termination" had made appropriations exceeding
ordinary revenues To meet the emergency, and pro-
vide for the expenses Of the government, loan of
twenty-three millions of dollars authorized at
the same session, which has since been negotiated
The practical effect Of this BILL had it become law
would have been TO add the whole amount approprla
ted by the national debt. 1t would, in fact, have
made necessary additional loan to that amount,
eecually if in terms it had required the Secreta
ny of the treasury to borrow the money therein appro
priated. The main question in that aspect Is, wheh-
It is wise, while all the means and credit of the
government needed to bring the existing war to
honorable close, to impair the one and endanger
the other by borrowing money to be expended IN a
system of internal improvements capable of an expan-
sion sufficient to swallow up the revenues not only of
our own conntry but of the civilized world II is to
be apPrehended that by entering upon such career
at this moment, confidence at home and abroad, in
the wisdom and prudence of the government, would
be so far impaired to make 1t difficult without an
immediate resort to heavy taxation, to maintain the
public credit and to preserve the honor of the nation
and the glory of our arms In prosecuting the existing
war TO successful conclusion. Had this bill become
law it is easy foresee that largely increased De-
mands upon the treasury would have been made at
each succeeding session of Congress- for the improve
of other harbors, bays, nlets, and RI
vers of equal Importance with those embraced by its
provisions. Many millions would probably have been
added TO the necessary amount of the debt, the
annual interest which must also have been borrow
ed, and finally permanent national debt been asen-
ed on the country and entaed on posterity
The policy Of embarking the federal government
In general system of internal improvements had Its
origin but little more than twenty years ago. In o
very few years the applications Congress for appro-
hundred millions of dollars. In this alarming crisis,
President Jackson refused to approve and sign the
Maysve road bill, the Wabash river bill, and other
bills of similar character His interpositon put a
check upon the policy of throwing the cost of To-
cal improvements upon the national treasury, preserv-
ed the of the nation for their legitimate OBJ
iects, by which he enabled to exnguish the then
existing public debt. and to present to admring
world the unprecedented spectacle in modern times,
of nation free from debt and advancing GREATNESS:
od- Sfrido unde vvhic r
was content to within its appropriate sphere, II
protecting the States and individuals in their OWL
chosen of Improvement and of enterprise. AL
though the bill under consideration proposes appro
praton for road canal, it is not easy to perceive
the difference In principle mischlevous tendency
between appropriations for making roads and digging
canals. and appropriations to deepen rivers and im
prove harbors. All alike within the limits ant
jurisdiction Of the States; and rivers and barbor
alone open abyss of expenditure sufficient 10 swal
low up the wealth of the nation, and load 1t with
debt which may etter its energies and tax its indus
try for ages to come.
The experience of several of the States, well a
that of the United States, during the period tina
Congress exercised the power of approprIatng tn
public money for internal Improvements, full Of ell
oquent warnings Ii seems impossible, in the nature
of the subject, connected with local representations
that the several objects presented for improvement
shall be weighed according to their respective merits
and appropriations confined to those whose importance
would JUSTLY TAX on the Whole community 10 eHec
their accomplishment
In some of the States, systems Of internal improve
ments have been projected consisting of roads and
nails. mapy Of which, taken separately, not q
sufficient public importance to justify tax on the en-
tire population of the State effect their construc
ton and yet, by combination Of local interests, ope
rating on majority Of the Legislature, the Who'll
have been authorized, and the States plunged Int
heavy debts. To extent so ruinous has this sys
TEN of legislation been carried in portions c
the Union, that the people have found it necessary
their safety and prosperity, to forbid their Legls
lafures, by constitutional restrictions contract pub
lie debts for such purposes without their immediat
consent
If the abuse of power has been fatal in the States
where the systems of taxation direct, and the re
representatives. responsible at short periods to sma
masses of constituents, how much greater danger
abuse is to be apprebended in the general govern
men whose revenues raised by indirect taxation
and whose functonaries responsible to the peop
in larger masses and for longer terms!
Regarding only objects of Improvement Of the ns
ture Of those embraced in this BILL how inexhaustib
we shall find them. Let the imagination alon
coast from the river ST. Crox to the Rio Grand
and trace every river emptying into the Atlantic an
Gulf of Mexico to its source; let it coast along OF
lakes, and ascend all their tributaries let 1t pass
Oregon and explore all Its bays inlets, and streams
and then let it raise the curtain Of tile FUTURE an
contemplate the extent Of this republic, and the oil
jects Of improvement it will embrace, it advance
to its high destiny. and the mind will be startled
the immensely and danger of the power which tn
principle Of this bill involves.
Already confederacy consists of twenty mir
States Other States may no distant period be e,
\ l<.f TO-