The Crisis; Or, Essays on the Usurpations of the Federal Government (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. Excerpt: ...canals may be in Europe, where, if it were not for their fortified towns, at short distances, a kingdom might be overrun in a few days.--Yet, in a country like ours, where, in most parts, every tree is a fortification, and every hunting path a military road for our militia, it would be premature, in the present state of the country, it would be a waste of the public money to imitate Europe in this particular.--The Convention was, no doubt, well satisfied that the extent of our country, was a security against a foreign enemy, and that the principal points of attack, would be the sea coast, in the vicinity of The distinction between tblevying and appropriating power of the Government, and all the other enumerated powers, is most manifest. In the other enumerated powers, there is not a single clause, which does not contain within itself, some one of the many definite purposes for which Civil Government generally exists; whilst in the two money raising clauses, there is no definite purpose whatever expressed. Nothing is easier, or more natural, than to imagine, thai-, a people should desire to constitute ONE nation for.war, for foreign Negotiation and Commerce, (under which general heads all the trusts in the Federal compact may be included) but it is extremelyiT difficult to make a man of common sense believe, that a people already associated in thirteen regular Governments, should desire tor;. be consolidated into one supreme sovereignty, merely for the pleasure of BEING TAXED; and, to possess the power to SPEND those taxes. The laying and appropriating power, is therefore no more, than the POWER 6f the Government, coupled with the TRUSTS. It is only a MEANS. A means cannot be a purpose, or an end, nor can it be greater than an end....