Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-05-18

~ THE SENATE OF TIE UNIT ED STATES
On the .foitoqyiag resolution, zi1 /:
:fResotceS, That appropriations of territory,
for the purposes Ct Education, should be made
to those stetes, in whose favor no such appro-
urations have been made, corresponding III
iu5tproporton with those heretofore made to
ether states in the Union"
Mn. PRESIDENT, said Mr., Edwards,
Notwithstanding thar any opposition to
the resolution upen your table, on Tie
pari Of he Representatives al the new
states, has been denounced as s. disre-
pu,able to their characters Tor honesty
and JUSTICE" not only by many oil our
most distinguished and patriotic pnbilc
journals, but also by one OF the most re-
spectacle states OF the Uaion; YET, sir,
sense Of duty viii not permit me TO de-
Cline an investigation OF the subject,
hopeless as it may be, to oppose my
feeble efforts TO the tsanscendent abilities
with which the proposition under con-
sideia'ion has been supported; and un-
pleasant as il is, to subject myself TO in-
putations which the zeal of many of It's
ablesr advocates afford me bai little pros
pect ofescapng. shall, however, care
fully endeavor to follow the example OF
the honorable gentleman, who has just
resumed his scat, Mr.. Lloyd in treat
ing the subject with such difference to
the feelings of others, as TO furnish no
ground of exception to any gentleman
with whom it may be my misfortune 10
differ in opinion. And permit ne to say,
sir, hat, equally with the gentleman
from Maryland approaching the advan-
ases of education, regarding 1t as a most
efficient means OF increasing the virtue,
knowledge and happiness CT mankind /;
and OF impartlng additional moral pow
cr, stability and embellishmen. 70 our re-
publican Institutions, il would aitord me
the slncerest qualification to unite with
him in any just and proper measure tor
the advancement of that important OBJ
iect. But, sir, it appears to me to be
doubtful, al least, whether Congr,s SIS can
righJully adopt, for that purpose, the
measure now under consideration.
The appropriation which we are asked
to make, is avowed tc be for mere state
tnrhose, and in that point of view, sllaii
proceed to consider ii, under every mo-
dificat.on of which it is susceptible. The
question then is, can the resources OF tins
nation be thus ahhHea This shoaidbe
tested by principle, rather than by the
precedents upon precedents" referred
to and relied upon by the gentleman from
Mary land, for this government IS muca
coo young to acknowledge the force oil
any precedents, not founded upon, and
{ much less Of those which are in oppose
ton TO, principle, and gentlemen who are
disposed to avail themselves OF ain arsu-
ment deduced from mere hrccedenfs, In
the present case, ought TO recoilect now
little inclined they would be TO respect
such authority, in variety Of ether ca
ses, that might be referred to,
In discussing this subject, said Mr. e.
Imay, l presume, safely premise, tina ,
the duties. powers, and objects OF the
federal and state governments are sepa'
pate and distinct; and that the success o.
our whole governmental experiment,
and the prosperity and happiness OF ibis
ration, depend upon the hdeli'y and WIS
dom, with which these governments re-
spec,ively, discharge their appropriate
functions. Each government has, tor
those important purposes, and as neces-
sary thereto, its own particular resources,
which cannot be yielded up, or mlsap-
piled without imnaring its capacity to
fulfil the objects Of lis institutions; tor
nothing could be more nugatory, than
grant Of powers withou, the means OF ex'
ecutiug them. The resources OF this
governmer, are found from experience
to be, at this time, inadequate TO its
wants, any measure therefore, whose ten.
dency would be, fur,herto embarrass and
cripple its operations, must be deemed
highly inexpedient, at least.
Mr. President, said Mr.. E. the gentle
man from Maryland appears to have re-
viewed, with critical accuracy, all the
events connected with the acquisition d
the national domain, and he has with
areat perspicui.y traced out the origin
and demonstrated the validity of our 'itle
t. it. But, sir, whether il has been &C,
quired by conquest; cesslons from par
tcular states; or purchases from torelgr
powers; one thing is undeniable-lt has
doubtless been acquired BY, and exclu'
eiyely belongs to, the Contedera'lon' OF