Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-02
SPEECH OF MR. CLAY,
On The BIZ for obtaining tie necessaryJSurrcys
or The subject IF Rords and Canals.
lNTHEHoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JANUARY 81, 1924.


JANUARY 81, 1924.
Mr. Clay rose in reply to Mr.. Randolph. 1t
had certainly, he SAID, bccu far from his nten-
hon AGAIN to trouble the committee Oh the pre-
sent subject. He felt restrained, not only by a
consideration of the time that had already been
spent upon it, but also 10y tho state of his own
health; but illusions SO frequent, and of such
marked character, had been made to him (cs-
pecially by the honorable gentleman who had
just taken his seat, that he trusted it would not
be deemed a trespass the committee if he
should briefly notice some of them.
The gentleman from Va. (AIr. Archery for
the general character of whose discussion he
felt the highest respect, and whose intellipent
mind never led him to say what was not, at least.
worthy of serious consideration, had observed.
IN the course ofhi speech, (which regret that
only heard in party that he was quite sure I
would concede that, in ascertaining " hat were
lawful means to be taken for CARRYING into ef
iect either of the granted powers in the consti-
tuuon, congr'lity would be required in such
means with the power 10 be executed. To this
then nodded assent; and now repeat the ex-
preston of my concurrence. But / submit it to
the committee to say, whether there is any dis
crepancy between roads and canals us means.
and the transportation Of troops and munitions
OF war as an end; between good roads as 4
means, and the transportation of the mail as an
end; between roads and canals as means, and
the regulating and facilitating of internal COM
mercc as an end.
Another gentleman from Va. Mr.. Stevenson.
whose speech had the pleasure of hearun
throughout, alluded to speech of mine, deli.
vered ona former occasion, and which contain
ed, as he commended, sentiments in opposition TO
thosc expressed by me in the present debate
Although think 1t somewhat unfair to travel
out of the proceedings of this House in search
OF arguments advanced on Il different occasion
and IN another body, yet, whatever others NAV
say l, for one, have never felt the slightest dit
hculty OF owning any and every part of the
course have pursued, and in avowlng the mo-
t.Ves by which lave been actuated. 1t is true
that Twas opposed to the renewal of tie charter
of the old Bank of the U. States. NV oppo
sltion to 1t arose from varous'notivcs, involving
not merely the constitutional question: but the
expectancy OF the measure. admit that did
not, at that time, believe that Congress could.
constitutionaly, grant the incorporation But.
on another occasion, after much experiences
had, in state of war and in the most perilous
times, OF the urgent necessity of such an insti.
tuition, did on farther consideration, chaure
my opinion, and, IN having done So stand i'm
company with some of the best, the wisest. and
the purest men of our country, and especially
OF this country for the establishment of this ro
vernment, mean the late Chief Magistrate of
the U. States, and with one not less honest
though less distinguished, the present Governor
ot virginia. The conviction was forced upon
us by necessity and the lights of experencc.-
But, while | acknowledge this, must. at thu,
same time, be permitted to say, that think the
gentleman who urged this has utterly failed of
establishing the slightest contradiction between
the principles then hcl and those on which |
advocate the present bill. His failure is most
signal. lie first assumes it for granted that. if
Congress does not possess the power ofincorpor-
alton, 1t has no power to make internal improve
ments and then he urges my objections against
the former power to dlsprove the existence of
Tue latter But L aIE sure, that, to do away
this assumption, may appeal not only TO his
canlor, for never admitted what he assumes
bat to the example Of his own state, which has
at this moment, a Board for Internal improve
Inents, sanctioned and aided by the state I,eois-
lature, and yet not ncorper tied and To the cx
ample OF this government, which made the Cum-
beriand road without granting any act of incor-
poration to effect it. So, that even GRANTING
him the full benefit OF the opinion | formerIv
held and expressed in the Senate, and which he
now quotes against me, it does not advance him
one step in his argument.
A member my right, Mr. Randolphl has
done me the honor to notice an argument
brought forward some or 10 DAYS AFRO and al :
though he set out with declaring that he should
treat 1T with more respect than | had treated
that OF the chief magistrate, think, | NAV an
peal to the committee TO decide whether he has
redeemed the pledge. Sir, | am GROWING old
have had some little measure of experience in
public life, and the result of that experience mas
brought me to this conclusion, that, when bust.
Cnfrri, ,ta =, L
adeliberative assembly, or in private life. cour-
tesy, forbearance, and moderation, are best cal
culated to bring it to a successful conclusion.-
Sir, my age admoniShes me to abstrain from in
yolyinS myself in personal difficulties would to
God that L could say | am also restrained nv
higher motives. | certainly never sought apy
collision with the gentleman from Va. NV al
tuatlou, at this time, is peculiar, lift be nothing
else, and might, should think dissu lie at least
generous heart from any wish to draw me into
circumstances of personal alteration. I have
experienced this magnanlrnity from some quar-
tiers of the House. But regret that, from a.
theirs, it appears to have received no such consi-
deration. The gentleman from Virginia was
pleased to say that, in one point at least. he
conceded with me-in an humble estimate of
my grammatical and pathological requirements
/ know my deficiencies. | was born ia no
proud patrinonial estate; from nv father
inherited only infancy, ignorance, and indi-
gence. | feel my defects; but, SO far as nv
situation in early life is concerned, may, witt
out presumption, say they arc more my msfor-
tune than my fault. But, however, may re-
greet my want of ability to furnish to the gen
tle:nan a better specimen of powers of verbal
criticism, will venture to say, it is not greater
than the disappointment of this committee, as
TO the strength of his argument. Sir am no
.preCcptor: when | desire perfect accuracy NJ