Evening star., 1938-01-08

- l01 bu4N1ll VlSllg
years-nor from 1
his many messages to Congress which
give us record of his principles and
not his political emotions.
Since these quotations are impor-
tant In the interest of an impartial
usage Of the words and deeds of An
drew Jackson, it becomes pertinent to
present excerpts taken from his official
communications:
In the regulations which Congress
may prescribe respecting the custody
OF the public moneys, it is desirable
that as little discretion as may be
deemed consistent with their safe
keeping should be given to executive
agents. -
The same rule of action should
make the President ever anxious to
avoid the exercise of any discretionary
authority which can be regulated by
Congress. The biases which may
operate upon him will not be so likely
to extend to the representatives of the
people in that body. -"
THE experience of other nations
admonlshes us to hasten the extin-
guishment of the public debt. =" No
political maxim is better established
than that which tells us that an i'm
provident expenditure of money is the
parent of profligacy, and that no peo-
pie can hope to perpetuate their liber-
ties who long acquiesce in a policy
which taxes them for objects not nee
essary to the legitimate and real wants
OF their government. -"
Proponent of States Rights.
"My experience in public concerns
and the observation of a life some
what advanced confirm the opinions
long since imbibed by me, that the de-
structlon OF our State governments or
the annihilation of their control over
the local concerns of the people would
lead directly to revolution and an
archy and finally to despotism and
military domination.
In proportion, therefore, as the
General Government encroaches upon
the rights of the States, in the same
proportion does it impair its own DOW
er and detract from its ability to full
I'LL the purposes Of Its creation. SOL
emnly impressed with these consider
ations, my countrymen will ever find
me ready to exercise my constitutional
powers in arresting measures which
may directly or indirectly encroach
upon the rights OF the States or tend
TO consolidate all political power in
the General Government. ="
ITO suppose that because our Gov
ernment has been instituted for the
benefit Of the people it must, therefore,
have the power to do whatever may
seem to conduce to the public good
Is an error into which even honest
minds are apt to fall. II"
Authority Is Sufficient.
ut is we'll known that there have
always been those amongst us who
wish to enlarge the powers of the
General Government, and experience
would seem to indicate that there is a
tendency on the part of this Govern
ment to overstep the boundaries
marked out for it by the Constitution.
Its legitimate authority is abundantly
suficient for all the purposes for
which 1t was created, and its powers
being expressly enumerated, there can
be no justification for claiming any,
thing beyond them.
Every attempt to exercise power
beyond these limits should be prompt-
ly and firmly opposed, for one evil
example will lead to other measures
still more mischievous; and if the
principle of constructive powers or
supposed advantages or temporary cir
cumstances shall ever be permitted to
justify the assumption Of power not
given by the Constitution, the General
Government will before long absorb
all the powers Of legislation, and you
will have In effect but one consolidated
government.
1--WE should recollect that that in
strument (the Constitution) provides
within itself the mode Of its amend
ment, and that there is, therefore, no
excuse for the assumption Of doubtful
powers by the General Government.
If those which are clearly granted
shall be found incompetent to the ends
OF It's creation, it can at any time
apply for their enlargement, and there
Is no probability that such an appli-
cation If founded on the public inter-
est, will ever be refused.
People Equal to Exigency.
The difficulty and supposed I'M
practicability of obtaining an amend
ment Of the Constitution is, I
firmly believe, in great degree un-
founded. The time has never yet been
when the patriotism and intelligence
Of the American people were not fully
equal to the greatest eXigency, and it
never will when the subject calling
forth their interposition is plainly pre-
sented to them.
THE shortest reflection must sat-
isfy every one that to require the peo-
pie to pay taxes to the Government
merely that they may be paid back
again Is sporting with the substantial
Interests Of the country, and no sys-
TEN which produces such result can
be expected to receive public counte-
nance. -" A distribution to the peo-
pie is tmpracticable and unjust. -
1t would be taking one mans property
and giving 1t to another"
But this correspondent had better
quote no more, for if one is not care
full there will be members of the Roose-
welt administration who will recant on
their eulogies Of Andrew jackson and
pronounce him before long Just another
Liberty Lacquer"
Copyright, 1881