Democratic banner. (Bowling Green, Pike County, Mo.) 1845-1852, 1850-04-01
CONSOLIDATION.

Z C0NSOLlDA lONs
The tendency of limited governments is
to consolidation, If they have power enough
to sustain themselves. One false step &C.
quired in when there is no special interest
70 oppose it, is precedent for another act Of
usurpation. One power after another is
absorbed into the centre, and each one in.
ereases the force of attraction. The fed
erai government of these United States is
one of limited powers, and yet By means of
the doctrine Of implied powers, it can
spread its influence indefinitely. Its in
.crsasipg importance should be an object of
constant watcbfulness. The larger the ares
Of the Union, the fewer objects should the
federal government presume Is meddle
with. This Uniou will never be dissolved
BY what Congress does not do, but by
8 something it undertakes to do. There is 9
growing isposition among the people to look
% Csngress. f rivers and hsrdors are "a
SsimPToved, let Congress do It. Certain
.-iy it's very impOrtaut that these improve.
ments should be made, and be who object.
to the federal goverpmst's engaging it
these things is opposed to improvement
Manufactures are good things, and Con.
gress must look into that business. HI
that thinks and says otherwise, 10 opposed
= to manufactures. Whatever ought to b.
done, Congress ought to do. 10 discussing
these matters the demagogue has the ad
.,xantsge.) He can branch out upon the im'
portant interests involved in manufactures
in the Improvement Of rivers and hsrbors
and denounced his opponent for opposing
the interest Of the people; and some Of ouI
politicians have no scruple about voting fol
any act of Congress on account of cOnstitu
tionai power. The want of power is nsvel
in the wsy. The sphere Of this power il
growing with the grOth Of the Union. whs'
thought to be diminishing. The lsrger th'
srea Of these States, the more dirversi6es
their interests, the fewer objects can th.
federal government attend properly.
. The'fsdsralists have always opposed The
acquisition Of the territory, and they hsv.
been consistent init. Their theory of tn,
federal government gives it greater Powel
than is consistent with q large one. Il
Congress must look to internal improve
ments, must regulate the currency, super
wise the workshops and csrn-6elds, th'
ersashould be small ever which it exercised
such Jurisdiction. The Union has lonf
been too large for sensible legislation b,
one body, for oil these interests. True, al
these things are important to be done; se
it's important that dinners be cooked
chickens fed, and babies nursed; but W
don't think Congress should undertake t.
provide for these things.
.t,a II was greatreproach to Ven Burer
that he ssid the people expect too muct
from the Government. lisa very sensible
remark, however. Those intsres.sd in Z
:. streng federal government would hsve ID.
people expect grsstdeal fromi il. lndsst
they would gladly relieve the people Of a
care for the government itself, and 50 ~
sll their politics for them for considers
,tioa. !. ,
ID Ons ssst source Of federal power he.
lately gfsvn into fearful magnitude. Itre.
..yslss from the 7msnsgsmsns Of our territory,
sesns strange 10 us that one % jsslou.