Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-26

" rCii w MIX. GALLAY, OF OHIO.
Osthe BIZ jo,. obtu;ntng tie nccessarv S,.ypeu,
o" subject Of Ieoacis ana Canals.
IN THEuoUsE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
FEBRUARY 5, 1921.
hlr. Gaziay, of Ohio, addressed the chair rs
Follows: The bill Oh your table, said Mr.. G.
contenpates the appropriation of $50, 600, for
inc procurement of estimates and SURVEYS for
foads and canals. Against such bill. reaui-
ahg SO small 4 sum for what nc conceived to he
great national object, lie could not have anti.
cipatcd single voice; and much less could he
have anticipated that, to other obiect:ons.
would be allied unconslitutionality and danger
10 the Union. As to any, MI. G. so;I no
would as soon have expected it from the com.
mon blessings rain aai sunshine. He called
t'iis great national object, and, if it were NOT
such, AMI II gentlemen could maintain that it il
4 local ami sectional one, he was ready to vote
against it. Commerce, agriculture, and manu-
lectures, are greatly and equally promoted by
the improvement of roaii ana canals. These
are the great arteries of the nation. by which
AIS extremes appro ,inatc and its wealth is eve
ry where diifdsod. They save labor and equal
-lze the naf!1ets--they bring from regions of
plenty, IN some products, ana pour into those of
want. Ihey are no less dstinguishable in their
character than IN their effects, from most nation.
al WORKS, inasnuch as they produce national
wealth, while most others iinpoycrish. All the
national dctances, to which many millions
are devoted, such asships, foriiicatiois, and the
hike, IN themselves, produce nothing. They
lmncverisll. They are, 10 the treasure of the
nation, much what Injuries arc to that of an in
diviiual. 1t is vastly different with roads and
canals. Lit was, Mr.. G. said, a new theory.
that the mhniticent and most productive nation
al works, were the most dangerous and the last
to be undertaken He believed great ma
r1rift- <aft L.
The opposite from this, and he hoped they would
never yield them. Mr.. G. said, he had, hither-
10, supposed that the principal inducement for
giving sovereign power, the attainment of
great national objects, which no Individual cx-
ertions were likely to attain. He understood
that it was general interest and general securi-
ty which formed the national cement. Take
them away, and no civil union can be long main
tanned. 1fc had supposed That every soYereirn
power was bound to guard and advance these
great objects. : But gentlemen in the opposite,
Mr.. G.. said, seemed to think that the Consti-
tuition interposed to forbid US the exercise of this
sovereign power; and, to prove this, they cite
opinions given at the time of its adoption and
since. 1t was not public opinion, Mr.. G.. sup
posed, that was intended; for this, he believed,
was ever the creature of circumstance and &C.
casion, and always correct standard. Ifcor-
rect then, 1T IS nov correct; and for the same
reason that it was then correct. Public opinion,
therefore, could be evidence against itself.
Its private opinion that is most insisted on,
and that which is expressed in the Federalist
And, it is said, that inasmuch as the power to
make roads and canals is no where expressly
allowed, in that book, we have no right to exec-
else 1T. opportunities and situation, as well
as the talents and character of the writer's, are
urged, as giving resistless force to their author
ity or opinions. 1t must be remembered that
they were but men, and, as our history abun-
dainty proves, writing at time of great excite
mcnt, no doubt with the purest and best of mo-
tiyes; but, yet, partisans ola favorite measure
great in itself, yet violently opposcd--a mca-
sure, i'll the adoption of which, the authors of
the Fedcrdist felt an interest deep as the foun-
tain ofliic itself. 1t is no reflection on them,
to say what was natural and proper-that the
strongest features Of power, in the instrument
should be highly touched; while its weaker and
less apprehcnsive ones should be brought out in
the most engaging attitudes. The times for
babe a fair and full exposition of its powers in
the same degree that the instrument itself for
bale it. 1t is not to be supposed-it is not re.
quired ofthe human mind to Judge correctly or
any point, until it be presented with the facts
and circumstances which attend upon its prac-
lice, and those which bear upon it al the time
ofgising such Judgment. And much less can
fwecxpcct corrcctncss in anticipating political
opinions, on, principles of government bot! new
TO the age and new to the world. In this field
we every where meet some uncx pected combi
nation or occurrence to mock our best discern
ment, and to cOnfute our deepest specuations
Practice is the only safe orloa for political con-
stitution opinions. Was 1T ever forcscen
by the writers referred to, that dificultie:
would attend the designation of the President
the provisions for which arc as ample as any in
the instrument? The very circumstance thai
we are this day i'll ardent debate on the mean.
ing of the ordinary words in our language useJ
in that instrument, sets at defiance all former
opinion of them.
To insist, sail Mr.. G.. that reliance shall be
placed on former opinions, in the discussion Of
great political question, is TO deny to polite,
what is allowed to every other affair of life
Where will gentlemen turn to avoid the pro
gres5 which has accompanied every art and sci
cnce since the adoption of this instrument
Things as absurd asa revolving world once was
are every day established as physical or mora
truths. The existence and continuance Of ou
government itself Mr.. GazJay said, was a con
tradiction of the opinions and speculations o
the most enlightened of former times. He wa
not prepared to give up the hope, that the pro
gross of those political combinations on which
IT is founded, would result in great benefits Il
The world. lie could not yield the right Il
Judge of them as they deserved; and that, 70
the reason that others had judged before them
Mr.. G.. said, he thought the safest rule was f
try the Constitution by itself, and whore it CAV
power, not to refuse the exercise oft, from vaii
or imaginary alarm.