The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-12-29


The following, which we quote from
General Jackson's Farewell Address,
would seem to indicate quite clearly
tha. the old "Hero OF the Hermitage"
was pretty we'll grounded in the doc
trine of ia tariff for revenue only"
and that that doctrine is not q recent
Interpolation into the articles of Dem
ecratic faith.
1t is we'll known that there have al
ways been those among rs who wish
to enlarge the powers Of the general
government: and experience would
seem to indicate that there is ten
dency on the part of this government
10 overstep the boundaries Marked
ont for it by the Constitution. Its
Legitimate authority is. abundantly
sufficient for all the purposrs for which
it was created; and its powers being
expressly enumerated, there can be no
for claiming anything
beyond them. Every attempt to er-
ercise po,oer beyond. these hnsits should
be promptly and firmly opposed For
one erl example COLL tedd to other
measures still more nQ5schteUouS; and
If the principle 9f constructive pOto-
eys, or supposed advantages, or tenn
porasy circumstances, shall e0er be
permitted to justify the assumption Of
a posUer not giUen by the Constitution,
the general gOveynMent tcill before
long absorb all The Potcers of legtsla-
tion, and you ,Oiil hare, in effect, but
one consolidated government. From
1.-THE extent of our country, its diversi-
| fed interests, different pursuits, and
different habits, ii is too obylous for
argument that single consolidated
government would be wholly made
quate to watch over and protect its
intsreets; and every friend Of our free
| institutions should be always prepared
| to msintain unimpaired and In full
vigor the rights and souersign'y of the
States. and to cOnfne The action of
the general government strictly to the
sphere Of its appropriate duties. s,.s.f.
| There is, perhaps, no one Of the
powers conferred ON the federal gov
ernmeut SO Liable to abuse, as, the tax
| ing power. The most tpr0ductive and
convenient sources of ravenus were
necessarily given to it, that it might
be able 10 perform tho important du-
ties imposed upon it; and the taxes
| which it lays upon commerOs beinR
concealed from the real payer in the
price Of the article; they do not &c
readily attract the attention OF the
people as smaller Gums demanded from
them directly by the tax-gatherer
But the tax imposed on goods en-.
hances by so much the;price of the
commodity to the consumer; and q
many of these duties arc imposed or
articles of necessity which are daily
used by the great body Of the people
the money raised from these impostl
is drawn from their pockets. Con
gress has no right under the ConstItu.
iiOn to take money from the people
unless it is. required to execute soms
one of the specific powers intrustee
to the government; and If they raise
more than is necessary for such pur'
poses. it is an abuse Of the power o.
taxation, and unjust and oppressive
1t may indeed happen that the revsn.
ue will sometimes. exceed the amount
anticipated. when the taxes are laid
when, however, this. 10 ascertainsd, il
is easy to reduce them and, In such d
case, it is unquestionably the duty o1
the governmental reduce them, fol
no circumstances; can, justify it in a.
saming power not given to il by the
Constitution. nor in taking away the
money Of the people when Ii is mol
needed for, the legitimate wants o1
the government. s,.j - i'... i"'l'r''S +