Independent Chronicle, 31 January Hon. Mr. DALTON. It is apparent, sir that government should have an efficient power delegated to them: If they have no power it cannot be said to be a government: A Constitution is now established with that defect; with no money and no dependence; such a government will in time ruin us; from experience, we know sir here lies the evil: Let us see to whom we are to give this power; is it not to men of our own choosing? The delegation of power to the federal legislature will prevent the numerous evils: They have the power of saving us from destruction: The danger of accepting this Constitution is not equal to the danger of refusing it: Look to the kingdom of France, there you see, a power however high, cannot be exercised, to the prejudice of the people; in the recent instance of the notables and the parliament of Paris rejecting; and withstanding tax proposed by the King; but when they are exercised it must be for the good of the nation:
If Congress have authority to levy a direct tax, it is supposed they will exercise it only in a time of war: In peace the impost and excise will answer the purposes of government, but if a war breaks out, they will not answer resource must be had to a direct tax. Some have supposed that the Congress by perpetuating themselves, might introduce a kind of aristocracy: the power after a short time, returns to the people, and they delegate it again: They feel their dependence on the people, and therefore will not abuse the confidence placed in them. Have not other parts of America the spirit of freedom to resist the collection of direct taxes, as well as New-England? The more I reflect on this section, the more I am convinced of the necessity of this power being lodged in the federal head.
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