I Think, However, That It Must Be Admitted, In Any Discussion Held On The Constitution Of The United States, That The Theory Of Taxation As There Laid Down Will Not Suffice For The Wants Of A Great Nation.

If the States are to maintain their ground as a great national power, they must agree among themselves to bear the cost of such greatness.

While a custom duty was sufficient for the public wants of the United States, this fault in the Constitution was not felt. But now that standing armies have been inaugurated, that iron-clad ships are held as desirable, that a great national debt has been founded, custom duties will suffice no longer, nor will excise duties suffice. Direct taxation must be levied, and such taxation cannot be fairly levied without a change in the Constitution. But such a change may be made in direct accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, and the necessity for such an alteration cannot be held as proving any inefficiency in the original document for the purposes originally required.

As regards the other point which seems to me to require amendment, I must acknowledge that I am about to express simply my own opinion. Should Americans read what I write, they may probably say that I am recommending them to adopt the blunders made by the English in their practice of government. Englishmen, on the other hand, may not improbably conceive that a system which works well here under a monarchy, would absolutely fail under a presidency of four years' duration.

Enter page number Go  Previous Next
Page 337 of 531
Words from 90188 to 90446 of 142339