The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-04-19
NATIONAL AID TO EDUCATION.

ute from the public treasury I'VE mt
lion dollars annually among the states,
proposed to strengthen protective
tariff interests,is now revived and pre-
sented under a new and more impo-
sing form, viz, in behalf of educating.
This-is certainly very enticing form,
and the more dangerous,as better Gals
culated to mislead. The history of
nations demonstrate that the safety of
the liberties of people consists in
guarding the lines of legislation, giv>
ing prompt and merited rebuke to
the; least and all attempts to transcend
the. limits of clearly delegated power
that the mere thoughts of politi-
clans as to what may be for the gen
eral welfare--that this general wei,
fare principle now, unfortunately, ex>
tended to the ignoring of the consli-
tuition by the rulings of the nations,
which can be construed and perverted
to suit and advance the interest of
each and every party, and personal
ggrandizement should have no place
in our councils. This species of Leg
islation, if not soon arrested, will
evolve "A chain of precedents that will
entirely usurp the place of the consti>
tuition. 1t is not pretended that
there is grant to distribute any
part of the surplus in the treasury
among the states. The only constl-
tutional argument tor this distribu,
ton is mere inference or general
welfare" principle TO what will such
legislation lead? When or where will
it stop? When there is n doubt as to
the cUnstitutionality of measure the
constitution should have the advan-
tage Of that doubt, and if desired an
appeal should be made, before enact-
ment, to the people, the source of
power for amendment of the cOnstItu~
iion. 1t is claimed that President
jackson favored distribution. He
did and recommended enactment with
the proviso if it was constitutional.
Hear him: "Should this measure
(distrihution) not he found warranted
10y the constitution, it will he expedi-
ent to propose to the states an amend
ment authorizing it. | regard an ap~
peal to the source of power in cases
of real doubt, and where it's exercise
is deemed indispensable to the general
welfare, as among the most sacred of
all our obligations" This has the
t ring of craftsmanship i'll it. The
great southerner bows political obei-
g sance to the constitution Of his coun-
try, and says: although measure
be deemed Indispensable to the "gen-
eral welfare and doubt of constltu-
: tionality exists, he says refer the
matter to the source Of power for a
grant or an amendment | ask legis-
: lators who applaud and refer to Jack,
sou also to initiate his examples and
e note his clear and rational dispose OF
e the general welfare dogma. If you
I | think distribution or any other meas
ure Indispensable to the general wei
fare, for which there is a doubt or no
warrant, apply to the proper source
for authority, and the dignity Of the
S republicand constitution will he main
, tanned 10 maintain the ascendency
OF the constitution over Legislators and
to check ceLtralizing tendencies is the
highest, graudest political work Of the
age. Let the constitution lie more
= and more looked to and enforced il
D the councils of the nations. We re-
e mark, the extension that would be
given by passing OF this measure to
executive patronage, already threat
: ening to the security of the ballot
f box, would he so great that this of it,
!. self should snforce ts rejection. PEG
pie taught to depend on genera
government for school facili
ties would naturally look up to thai
y government for direction or superin
tendence, then a clash between stat,
i aud federal sch0oImen, then party
:. platforms formed to suit such dissen
= sions. The fact that by thus law thti
sense of independence as schoo.s anc
individuals would he destroyed an,
placed beneath anything like highe r
manly resolve, and independent man
i hood is enough itself to urge its rejec
ton. Take this independence trpH
' people as men, deiuo allie or pbisot
: their sense Of self reliance in school
if or any capacity and you deprive then
of that which is above price, which
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