Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-13
Fram n .hational .Journcl

Fran N;c National Journal
Extract from the speech of Mr.. Wir,, in reply to
Mr.. Enrmet, betuyc the Supreme Court ON the
celebrated steam boat case
The learned aud eloquent counsel Oh tbe o,l.,
ste, Mr. E,nn,ctJ has warned us OF the necessity
Of keeping the powers OF congress within their rro
per chamel, and has observed, that while thus rcs
trained they will flow on, like 6,e river, fertZ-
ing and adorliiug The country, cnsic,ing the land
scapc, and gladdcninG the heart of the hehalfler,
bur, suffered to break their banks, .hcv will
sweep Ill before them at hes, leaving only here
aud there iuin, mark the Of the tlcsolati-
on. The figure was as instructive as il was beau
thul. But what is the readiesi way produce this
inundaton' To do what New Ynr. is now ate,,,i,t-
ing-to raise an obstruction across the national
channel. by which you first generate a pestlcnce
aud then produce flood. But is there 10 danger
ofan Iuundation from another quarter? Nav not the
state powers, also, break their banks, and give IT'S
iou:-a nd twenty inundatioas irs:-ad of orc Ind
how to escape such delige rs this: Viii
tlreg shall ny for refuge from this congrcgatcd
waste of waters? WHITTIER bu, to that ak of safety
which is nader the direction Of this court.
Sis, cannot bat congratulate the corr, on the
oi;icc which they have row TO perform. The qucs-
tGIiS of THIS sort which have heretofore COME be-
!;twrcn tha federal and authorities Bot.
hee !, is case OF collision among the states them
Srlve<; aud the ofrc which you have here 10 per-
torn : the blessed Office cf Tire pcacc-,nabcr-to
s'Af oil UPON the angry cisrcnts, aud hish them
into ,opusc sir, IL constitution we're good for
nothing alse. it wou be worthy of pfesrrva ton for
tiiS hcuignunt feature aloue- that of intcrposing
IL; ue,iiitiou eIectuaiiy betIgec the states. This
feature alone would Wfcate the brow ofits invent
crs With an impersha bic crown. rs To the idea Of
rniu fon the reciprocal eucfoaciIneus Of the fed
cral dml State aEihoritics, nave always regarded
it It, ebjnDrn--weij CROUCH rs thetue of decla-
matior but carrying no terror in il to any mind
acquainted wtb the virtue, intelligence, and love
u peace ind quiet which mark tic American cha
rlcer. 5'he people know that the governments,
FEDERAL and state, are all their own--and that the
officers of the governments are merely their SER
wants. That the faihess OF inconpcicnt officer
ma bc Displaced their pleasure-amd lie forms
IF the governments themselves if found detective
ainendrd moulded entirely anew, and adapted
skfuily their great, their only object the
Happiness of the prople. 4 convuision from this
caus" have never dreaded But with regard to
these qUarels between the states themselves, con
f.ss that have never been able TO contemplate
them without tie most mourniul apprelensions.
Look at what has already occurred IN this case.
New York. New Jersey, an Connecticut, are al
ready within step of Nothing remains
but authorize their vessels ann reciwocaly in
defence of thGirrights. mi ui,0f Mcn!-Sir it IS
fearful to think of the cOuse quences-bUi not at ali
difficult TO asccrtai: the quarter to which they
ought to be charged. The learned and eloquent
gentcn1ln, (:if. Emmett has drawn AN animated
over Vie ocean--wisuessiBg every where the rri-
umr Of fei genius, and cSciui,uins in tie language
Of Eucas.
Qnse regio in FER, Is nosri non plena laboris.
Sir. it was not the moment of triumph nos with
feelings oftrump,. that lEucas uttered that cxcla-
nation. twas when, With his faithful 1chatcs BIZ
III. side, he was surveying the works Of art with
which tire palace of Ca,thagc was adorned. and his
attention had been caught by representation Of
te battles of Toy. There hc saw the sons Of a
tTeus and Prian. and the fierce Achilles, The
whole extent Of his nisfortunas-thc loss and desc
lation Of his friends The fall 0fhis beloved country
rush upon his recollection
"Copa;tit et tachryaaps: 0uis jam locus iuqut n.
cbati,
Our rcsio in ferris ncstri non plcua iaboris;"
Sir, tire passage may hereafter have closer APP
plicatio 10 the case thar my eloquent and classc-
al friend intended For if the state Of things which
has already commenced IS to 90 ou--if the spirit
hostility which aceady exists in three Of statese
tn catch by contasion, and spread among the
as from she progress Of the human passions, and tn