The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1824-08-11
ELooUENcE oFThE BAR.

A friend (says the National Jourpal)
has furnished us with correct transcript
from notes taken at the time, Of the very
beautiful and eloquent peroration pro-.
nounced by Mr.. Writ, before the SUI
Preme court, in February last, in reply
10 Mr.. Emmet, in the much talked OF
steam boar cause. il is certainly one OF
the pretties, specimens of defamation,
and OF apt classical illustration which
we have ever seen and our readers we
doubt not, will join US 10 the expression
Of our thanks to the friend through whose
kindness we are enabled thus TO grace
our columns.
Extract from the Speech of Mr. WIT, in reply
10 MIR. Emmett, before the supreme Cou,<,
on the celebrated Steam Boat Case:
The learned and eloquent counsel on
The other side, Sir. BmmeD has warned
US of the necessity ofkeeping the powers
of corgrcss within their proper channel,
and ha, observed, that while thus re.
strained, they will flow on, like fine
river,fertifizing and adjoining the country,
enrich;ng The landscape, and g'addenine
the heart Of the beholder, but, suffered
once TO break their banks, they will
sweep all before them, or at best leaving
only one here and there a ruin. to mark
the extent of the desolalion. The figure
was as instructive as il was Beautiful -
!iui what is the readiest way 10 produce
this inuDdation : To do what New York
IS now attempting raise an obs,ruc>
ton across the national channel,hy which
you tirst generate pes,ilcnce, and then
produce Good. Hut isthere no danrer
of inuDda,ion from another quarter !?
May not the state powers, also, break
their banks,& give US four & twenty mum
da,ions instead Of one ? And how are we
to escape such a deluge as this? Width
er shall We tly for refuge from this con
gregated waste of waters? Whittier BIZ,
to that ark of safety which is under the
direction Of this court!
Sir, I cannot but congratulate the
court On the Office which they have now
to perform: The questions of this sort,
which have heretofore come before YOU.
have been rude and uncourteous COLI.
sIoDs between the federal and state autho.
rites. But here it is a case OF collision
among the states themselves and the
Office which you have to perform is the
blessed Office of the peace maker,to pour
oil upon the angry clements, and hush
them into repose. Sir, if our constitu>
ton were good for nothing else, il would
be worthy OF preservation for this being
nant feature alone--lhat Of interposing
It's mediation effectualIy between the
states. This feature alone would wreath
the brow ofiis inventors with an inner
Ishable crown. As to the idea of ruin
from the reciprocal entertainments of
the federal and state authorities, have
always regarded i, as a chimera well
enough for theme of defamation
but carrying no terror in it TO any mind
acquainted with the virtue, intelligence,
and love of peace and quiet which mark
the American character. The people
know that the governments, federal and
state, are all their ovh--and that the
officers OF the governments are merely
their servants. That the faithless or incom.
petent officer may be displaced at their
Pleasure-aRd the forms Of the govern
meDts themselves, If found defective, :
mended, or moulded entirely anew, and
adapted more skilfully to their great,
their only objeCt~-the happiness of the
people. A coDVulsion from this cause
| have never dreaded But with regard
10 these quarrels between the state
themselves, | confess that have never
been able 10 contemplate them but With
the most mournful apprehensions. Look
at what has already occurred in this case
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut,
are slready within one step of var
Nothing remains bpt to authorize their