Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-02-03

relate TO external ar general objects. Tha,
many, perhaps, most internal improvements,
partake of the character described by the
gentleman, he (Mr. CO. should not deny. But
II was ne less true that there were others,
COMPATIBILITY national, which neither the po-
Hey nor the power, nor the interest, of any
state would induce II to accomplish, and which
could only be effected by the application of
the resources Of the nation. The improve.
ment of the navigation of the Mississippi
would furnish a striking example. This was
undenIably great and important object. The
report af highly scientific and intelligent
officer OF Tile Engineer Corps, (which Mr.. G..
hoped would be soon taken up and acted up
on had shewn that the cost Of any practical
Bile improvement in the navigation of that ri
yer. in the present state of the Inhabitants of
its banks, was a mere triile in comparison To
the great benefits which would accrue from
lii. He (Nlr. Clay believed that about dou-
BILE the amount of the loss of "a single steam
boat and cargo (the Tennessee) would effect
the whole improvement in the navigation of
that river, which ought to he at this time al
tempted. In this great object twelve states
and two territories were, in different degrees,
Interested. The power 10 effect the improve
ment of that river WAS surely not municipal,
In the sense in which the gentleman used The
term. Ii IT were, To which of the twelve
states and two territories concerned did il be.
long 1t was great object, which could on
ly he elected by IA confederacy. And here
is existing that confederacy, and no other can
lawfully exist for the constitution prohibits
The states, immediately interested, from en-
terinS INTO any treaty or compact with each
other. Other examples might be given 10
shew, that, ii even the power existed, the in
clmation 10 exert il would not be felt to efipc-
tuate certain improvements eminrntIy calc,f-
lated To promote the prosperity Of the Union.
Neither of the three states, nor all of ;hern
united, through which the Cumberland read
passes, would ever have erected that road
Two of them would have thrown in every
impeachment To lis completion in their power.
Federaiise in its character, il could only have
been executed so far by the application offe-
derative means. Again : the contemplated
canal through New Jersey; that Ia connect
the waters of the Chesapeake and Delaware !;
that I" unite the Ohio and the Potomac, were
all objects of general and federative nalure,
IN which the states, thrO' which they might
sererally pass, could not be expected To feel
any such special Interest as would lead 10 their
execution. Tending, as undoubtedly they
would do, 10 promote the good of the whole,
the power and the treasure of the whole must
be applied Ia their execution, if they are ever
consumDated
MIR. Clay did not think, then, that we should
be- at all assisted in expounding the constiiu-
ton Of the United States, by the principle
which the gentleman from Virginia had sug-
gested ~ respect To municipal powers. the
powers OF both governments were unduubted-
ly municipal. often operating upon the same
subject. He thought better rule than that
which the gentleman furnished for interpret
ms the constitution might be dpduced from
an attentive consideration of the peculiar cha
racter of the articles of confederation, AS con-
trasted with that of the present constitution.
BY those articles, the powers of the thirteen
United States were eXerted collaterally. They
operated through an intermediary. They were
addressed TO the several states, and their exc
cuiion depended upon the pleasure and the co
operation at the states individuajiy The
states seldom fulfilled The expectations Of the
general government i. regard Ia its reuusi-
tons, and often wholly Disappointed ihem.-
Languor and debility, in the movement of the
old Confederation, were the inevitable conse-
qutnce oil That arrangement Of power. b. ths
existing Constitution, the pnwers of the Gene
RAJ government act directly on the persons
and things within IFS scope without the inter
vrn,lon or ImpediDents incident to any inter
medIacy. In executing thu great trust which
the Constitution of the United States creates
we must, therefore, reject that interpretation
oil ITS provisions which make the General Go
verninent dependant upon those of the states
Tor the execution of any of its powers; and
may sdi-ly conclude that the only genuine
construction would be that which should en-
able this government to execute the great pur-
poses at us institution, without the ca. opera
non, and, Vt Indlspensably necessary. even a.
ganst the VIII of any particular state. This is
The characteristic difference between the two
ystems of government, of which we should
never lose sight. Interpreted in the one way
we shall relapse into the feeblrness and debit
ify of the old cODfederacy. La the other, we
shall escape from IFS evils, and fulfil the great
purposes which the enlightened trainers OF the
existing constitution intended TO pfTrctuate.-
The importance of this essential difference in
the two forms of government, would he
shown in the future progress of the argument.
Before be proceeded to Comment upon
those parts of the constitution which appear-
ed TO him to convey the power in question, ne
hoped he should be allowed to disclaim, for
his part, several sources hence others had
dPduced the authority The gentleman from
Virginia seemed 10 think il rematkable thai
the friends of the power should disagree so
much among themselves and 10 draw a con
cuilon against its existence from the fact OF
this discrepancy. But he (Mr. C.) could ss.p
nuihing extraordinary in this diversity of
views. What WAS more common than for diff
ierent 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 could
he mentioned. IL was rather presumption.
in favor Of the cause which he Was humbly
maintaining, that the same result should be at
tanned by So many various modes of reason
ing But, ilcOntrariety Of views might BE- plead
ed with any effect against The advocates 9th,
disputed power. II equally nvailed against their