Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-06

f-p,, enu "hISn Couiu only De effected by the
aPPiicatlon OF the resources of the nation. The
improvement of the navigation of the Mss;s.;nr;
would furnish striking example. This was
unden,abiy great and important object. The
report OF ahighly scientific and intelligent off,
Ger OF the Engineer Corps, (which Mr.. C.. hon.
ed would De soon taken up and acted upon( had
shewn thatthe cost of any practicable improve
mentln the navigation ofthat river, inthepresent
| state of the inhabitants ofits banks. was mere
trlife IN comparison to the great benefits which
would accure from it. He (Mr. Clay)belieyed
that ahoat double the amount OF the loss of a
single steam boat and cargo 1.-THE Tennesseel
would effect the whole Improvement in the nayi..
CATION OF that river, which ought to be at this
time attempted In this great object twelve
states and two territories were in different de-
grees, interested. The power to effect the,im-
provement of that river was surely not munich
pal, IN the seuse In which the gentleman used
the term. lfit were, to which of the twelve
states and two territories concerned did it be-
long! 1t was great object, which could only
be effected by confcdcracy. And here i, ex-
lsting that confederacy, and no other can lawful
ly exist for the constitution prohibits the states.
Immediately interested, from entering into any
treaty or compact with each other. Other ex.
amples might be given to shew, that, if even the
power existed; the inclinationt to exert it would
not be felt to effectuate certain improvements
e'nncntly calculated to promote the prosperity
OF the Union. Neither ofthe three states, nor
allof tacm united, through whichthe Cumberland
road passes, would ever have erected that road
Two OF them would have thrown in every i'm
pcdiment to ITS completion in their power
Fedcratvc in its character, it could only have
been executed so far by the application Of fede-
rativc means. Again: the contemplated canal
through New Jersey; that to connect the wa.
tiers ofthe Chesapeake and Delaware; that to
unite the Ohio and the Potomac, were all oh
Jects Of a general and federative nature. in
which the states thro' which they might sever
ally pass, could not be expected to feel auy
such special interest as would lead to their eye
cutio1. Tending, as undoubtedly they would
do, topromote the good Of the whole, the mower
and the treasure of the whole must be applied to
their execution, if they are ever consummated.
Mr.. Clay did not think, hten, that we sboud
be ct all assisted in expounding the constitution
OF the United States, by the principle which the
gentleman from Virginia had suggested in res
peet to municipal powers. The powers of both
governments were undoubtedly municipal, often
operating upon the same subject. He thought
better rule than that which the gentleman fur
mshcd for interpreting the constitution might
be deiuced from an attentive consideration of
U IL
Grafton, as contrasted with that of the present
constitution BY those articles, the powers of
the thirteen United States were exerted COLA
terally. They operated through an intermedi-
airy. They were addressed to the several states
and their execution depended upon the pleasure
and the cooperation of the states individually.
The states seldom fulfilled the expectations of
the general government in regard to its reuuisi-
tons, and often wholly disappointed Them
Languor and debility, in the movement of the
old Confederation, were the inevitable conse
quence OF that arrangement of power. By the
existing Constitution, the powers of the General
Government act directly on the persons and
things within Its scope, without the intervention
or mpedlments incident to any intermediary.
In executing the great trust which the Consti-
tuition of the United States creates, we must
therefore, reject that Interpretation of its proyi
sions which make the General Government de-
pendant upon those of the states for the ,.xecu-
ton ofany of its powers; and may safely conclude
that the only genuine construction would be
that which should enable this government to
execute the great purposes of its institution,
without the cooperation, and, if Indispensable
necessary, even against the will of any particu
lar state. This is the characteristic difference
between the two systems of government. of
which we should never lose sight. Interpreted
IN the one way, we shall relapse into the feeble
ness and debility of the old oonfederacy. In the
other, we shall escape from its evils, and fulfil
the great purposes which the enlightened fra
mers OF the existing constitution intended to eff.
fectuatc.-rhe importance of this essential diff
ference IN the two forms of government, would
DC shown in the future progress of the argument.
Before he proceeded to comment ,ipon those
parts Of the constitution which appeared to him
10 convey the power in question, he hoped he
should be allowed to disclam, for his part seve-
raj sources whence others had deduced the an
thorty. The gentleman from Virginia seemed
to think it remarkable that the friends of the
power should disagree SO much among them
selves; and to draw conclusion against its exis-
tence from the fact of this discrepancy. But he
MIR. e. could see nothing extraordinary in this
diversity ofylews. What was more common
thanfor different men to contemplate the same
SUBJECT under various aspects? Such was the
nature OF the human mind, that enlightened men.
perfectly upright in their intentions. differed in
their opinions on almost every topic that conId
be mentioned. 1t was rather presumption. in
favor of the cause which he was humbly main
tanning, that the same result should be attained
by so many various modes of reasoning. But.
if contrariety of views might be pleaded with
any effect against the advocates of the disputed
power, IL equaliy awaited against their opponents.
There was, for example, not very exact coin
cIdence IN opinion between the President ofthe
United States and the gentleman from Virginia.
The President says, (page 25 of his book !
{" The use of the existing road bv tie stare
" mail carrier, or post boy, IN passing over it as
g others do, is all that would be thought Of tbe
Jurisdiction and soil remaining to the State.
"with right in the State, or those authorised
soy its legislature to change the road at plea
sure.o Again, page ~, the President asks, &C II
6 the United States possessed the rnruer con