Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-02

I IT.
He takes up all the various constitutional sour
ccs, whence the friends ofthe bill draw the pow
er, and examines them separately and in detail.
And, contending that no one of them would in
duce Congress to pass the bill, dismisses the
whole in succession. Now, sir, is not this treat
Ily the subject upon grounds of eNpedicncy and
not of power ?-lIe asks if you would make these
internal improvements for the purpose merely of
transporting the mail Or for that of facilitating
the distribution ofthe public force? Or for that
of promoting internal commerce among the Sc
vcral states? And, cmphatically pronouncing
the negative, in reference to each of those Sc
vcr,l objects, the gentleman seemed to think
that the committee ought to come 10 the same
conclusion to which he brought himself, that this
power docs not exist. Is it fair, thus to pass in
review the various objects, and to pronounce
that, since one of them, considered by itself,
would lead to the adoption of the proposed poll
cy, the bill ought not TO pass The motive for
the exercise of power is one and totally differ
cnt thing, from the power itself. 1t might be
conceded, that one of the objects suggested,
considered apart, would present sufficient mo-
tive to enact the bill and yet, that the aggre-
gate effect of the whole of them united, would
present an adequate motive. In truth, almost
the whole argument against the bill is virtually
IN argument on eXpcdiency, rather than pow
er.-The gentlemen argue from extreme cases;
but, If their argument amounts to any thing, it
is good against the exercise of any power what
ever, and applies much to any and every O.
thcr power of the government, even TO those Ii
terally and expressly granted, as it does to the
incidental power now in dispute The power of
taxation is power expressly granted; and tax
alton may be carried 50 far to take away the
last dollar from every man in the community.
But, Is this good argument against the existence
of the powcr' So gentlemen ask us if we are
going to make 10000 miles of post roads No,
sir; but this docs not operate a reason why
we may not such as called for by the wants
and the safety of the country.
The gentleman from Virginia has reminded
me of the many obligations conferred by this
Government upon the West-and, among them,
has spoken of the grants Of land for education.
ask the gentleman. Were not these paid for
Have not these school lots raised the value of
the whole body of U. States land, by which
they were surrounded Sir, the Western states
have never yet received any thing from this Co
vcrnment, for which they have not given an c.
quvaient They have paid guild for every quo.
Was the West allowed TO buy its land of the In
dams? Ordid not the whole avails go into
your own eXChequcr9 You yourselves desired
it. And, as to the Indian wars, were they not ne
cessary for the safety of the whole Union.
Here Mr.. Randolph interposed, and denied
having advcrtcd to the Indian wars.] Ifhe did
not, said Mr.. G. then | must say he has made
out wrctched list of benefits. Sir, regret the
introduction of such topic. 1t is one on which
should never have dwelt, unless forced into its
discussion. But will say, in leaving it, that the
sale your land to the people of the West, has
brough; more money into your treasury than has
been CURED in the sale OF the public domain of
all the powers of Europe together, who own A
merican colonies. know Ii may be said, that
there is no compulsion, & that the whole of this
| revenue is from voluntary purchase. True,
| Sir, but is this parental Government to look in
the spirit of Shylock, only at the bond ? If its
policy, by whatever circumstances, :ias practi-
cally operated to drain one portion of The coun-
try of its money, ought not the Government,
like wise and consdcratc parent, to counter
act this enfeebling process, by the adoption of
broad and beneicent national policy, especially
when that may be done, not only without doing
injury to any other par but so as 10 advance
the prosperity of all' With this appeal TO the
equitable feelings and the sound discretion of
the committee, Mr.. c. said he should close
what he had now to say /; and, as it had been
with reluctance that he rose, ne now sat down
with equal pleasure.