the interests and elevate the character

 of the country. The experience of the

 past has shown, that the opinion of Con

 gress is subject to such fluctuations.

 lift be the desire of the people that

 tie tie Of the the Federal Government should be confined to the appropriation of money, in aid of such undertakings, in virtue ofStateauthorities thenthe oc- caslon, the manner and the extent of the appropriations, should be made the sub ject of constitutional regulation.-This is the more necessary, in order that they

 may be equitable among the several states; promote harmony between diff

 terent sections of the Union and their

 Representatives; preserve other parts

 of the Constitution from being under

 mined by the exercise of doubtful pow CTS, or the too great extension of those

 which are not so, and protect the whole

 subject against the deletereous infu-

 ence of combinations to carry, by con cert, measures which, considered by

 themselves, might meet but little coun- tenance.

 That constitutional adjustment of this power, upon equitable principles, is, in the highest degree desirable, can scarcely be doubted: nor can it fail to be promoted by every sincere friend to the success of our political institutions. iifl no government are appeals to the source of power, in cases ofreal doubt, more suitable than in ours. No good motive can be assigned for the exercise of power by the constituted authorities, while those, for whose benefit 1t is to be exercised, have not conferred 1t, and may not be willing to conferit. Itwould seem to me that an honest application of the conceded powers of the General Government to the advancement of the common veal, present a sufficient scope to satisfy a reasonable ambition. The difficulty and supposed impracticability of obtaining an amendment of the Con- stltntioninthis respect, is, ] firmly believe inagreat degree, unfounded. The time has never yet been. when the patriotism and intelligence of the American pco- pie were not fully equal to the greatest exigency, and it never will, when the subject calling forth their interposi- ton is plainly presented to them. To do so with the questions involved in this bill, and to urge them to an early, jealous, and full consideration of their deep importance, is, in my estimation, among the highest of our duties.

 A supposed connection between ap- Propfiations for internal improvement and the system for protecting duties, growing out of the anxieties of those more immediately interested in their success, has given rise to suggestions which 1t is proper should notice on this occasion. My opinions on these sub Iects have Fever been concealed from those who had a right to know them. Those which have entertained on the latter have frequently placed ne in ep- position 10 individuals as well as commu- mites, whose claims upon my friendship and gratitude are of the strongest char acter; but trust there has been noth- ing in my public life which has exposed me to the suspicion of being thought ca pablo of sacrificing my views of duty to private considerations, however strong they may have been. or deep theregrets which they are capable of exciting.

 As long as the encouragement of do nestle manufactures is directed to na- tional ends, it shall receive from me a temperate but steady support. There is no necessary :o,iEi between it and the system of appropriations. On the contrary, itappearstometh that the suppo- sition oftheirdependenceuponeach oth- CT is calculated to excite the preiudices. public against both. The for mer is sustained on the ground of it's con sistency with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, of it's original being traced to the assent of all the parties to the original compact, and of its having the support and appreciation of a majority of the people, on which account, it is ai least entitled to a fair experiment.

 The suggestions to which I have ailud- cd refer to forced continuance of tho national debt, by means of large appro- priations, as substitute for the securi- U which the system derives from the principles on which it was hitherto sus- tained. Such a course would certain- ly indicate either an unreasonable dis trust of the people, or a consciousness that the system does pot possess sniff