The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1865-10-07

that that instrument provides within itself
! the mode Of its amendment and there
is, therefore no excuse for the assumption
Of doubtful powers BY the General Gov
ernmcnt. II those which are already
granted shall he found incompetent to
the ends its creation, il can tanv time
Iarply for Their enlargement and there
is no probability that such an application
if founded in public interests. viii ever
be refused II the States feel themselves
competent to these objects why should
the Government wish toassume the power ?
If they do not, then they will not hesitate
to make the grant Both Governments
arc the Governments OF the people. In
proyements must be made with the money
of the people and if the money can be
collected and applied by those more sim
pie and economical machines. The State
Governments. it viii unquestioaably be
safer and better for the people, than to
add to the spiendor the patronage. and
the power of the General Government.
That the Government may be SO admin
istcred as to preserve its eifie.encg in pro
netting and securing these general objects
should be the only aim of our ambition.
aud we cannot, therefore. too carefully
examine It's structure. in order that we
may not mistake itspowers or assume those
which the people has-e reserved to them
selves We should constantly bear in
mind the fact that the considerations which
induced the trainers Of the Constitution
10 withhold from the General Government
the power 10 regulate the great mass OF
the business and concerns of the people
have been fully justified BY experience
Limited toa seneralsuperintending power
to maintain peace at homc and abroad
and to prescribe laws on a few subjects Of
general interest, not calculated to restrict
human liberty, but to cnfcrce human
rights this Government will find its
strength and glory in the faithful discharge
.of these plain and simple duties"
In his second Inaugural Address.
March i 1888, President Jackson says
Ny experience in public concerns,
and the observation of a life somewhat
advanced, confirm the opinions long since
imbibed by me, that the destruction of
the State governments. or the annhila-
ton of their control over the local con
cerns OF the people, would lead directly
10 revolution and anarchy, and finally to
despotism and military domination. In
proportion. therefore as the Federal Coy
Iernment eneroaches upon the rights of
the States, in the same proportion does it
impair its own power and dctraet from
the ability 10 fulfill the purposes Of its
creation. Solemnly impressed with these
considerations, my countrymen win ever
find me ready To exercise my constitutional
powers IN arresting measures which may
directly or indirectly eneroach upon the
rights of he States, or tend to consolidate
all peiitical powers in the General Gov
iernm6nt.
In his Iand-biIi Veto Message. Of 4th
Dec. 1888, lie says;
Itappa.1s 10 me that a n0re direct
road 10 constellation can not be devised
Money is power and in that government
which pays all the public officers Of the
States, will all political power be substan.
tally concentrated The State govern.
neeslts. If governments they might be
called. would lose ali their independence
and dignity: the economy which now
distinguishes them would he converted
infe profusion, limited only by the extent
Iof the supply. Being the dcTandents ot
/ the General Government aud looking t
the treasury as the source Of their cmol
uments, the State officers, under whatever
name they might pass, and by whatever
forms their duties might be prescribed
would in effect be the mere stipendiaric.
and instruments of the central power
1t is too obvious that such
course would subvert our we'll balanced
system of government, and ultimately
deprive US of the blessings now derived
from our happy Union" HENRY.