Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-13
Eighteenth Congress.
DEBATE
On the Bill for obtaining the necessary Surveys
on the subject Of Roads and Canals.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JANUARY 90, 1924.

Mr.. IL. Stecenson, OF Virginia, In rising, said,
that he had not the vanity to suppose, that any
argument which he could offer on this subject
would change the opinion expressed by the
House, in the previous vote on this bill : Indeed,
he should have considered himself precluded,
by his respect for the House, from any attempt
to discuss, at this STAGE the important principles
involved in this bill, had not the House evinced,
| by consenting to recommttied it, a willingness
to have it more fully and freely debated. I'm
der this impression, he rose, at this protracted
stage of the debate, to discharge what he be-
lieved to be a sacred duty, and to ask the indul-
gence of the Committee, whilst he presented, as
briefly as he could, his views on this interesting
and important subject.
He did not intend, Mr.. 8. said, to discuss at
large the erpediency of the system, towards
which, this bill was avowcdly preliminary step,
and which might justly be considered as the
first link in the mighty chain ofconstructiue po,-
err. Candor, however, required him to say, that,
If he believed the power claimed could be ex-
ercised without violation of the Constitution
yet he would refuse to exercise it.
He concurred in the opinion expressed by
the distinguished gentleman from Kentucky,
1.-THE Speaker.) that political power was thehigh-
est which could be given by man, to man. 1t
was the most sacred trust that could be reposed
in an earthly tribunal but he had yet to learn
might be deemed un,cise or ine1pedie,f, could
be construed into an abandonment of duty, or
treachery, to the nation. He would not follow
gentlemen in the wide range they had taken
as to the expedicncy ofthis measure, but would
content himself with presenting some general re-
marks, in relation to this branch of the subject,
before he came to discuss the question of po,0er.
There are many and powerful considerations,
Mr.. S. said which, i'll his opinion, forbid the ex-
ercise of this power by the General Govern
ment, at the present time. The subject was
one peculiarly fitted for the State Governments.
1t was one of local, rather than national
character and could only be well executed by
the local authorities. ALI these schemes of in
| ternal improvement must have their rise, Mr..
s. said, in local interests and feelings and he
put it to the candor of the friends of this bill, to
say, whether their contemplated schemes for
improvement had not their origin in local uieluS.
What security, Mr.. S. asked, by the present
Constitution, should we have, for equality, in
| the disbursements of the millions which would
be necessary for the execution of these splendid
and magnificent schemes? None ; none, but
legislative discretion and pleasure. Does not
every impartial mind see, that the resources of
the nation, derived from all, would be used for
local rather than national objects and that ia
Uorite portions of the Union would receive the
| pate,
Sir, said Mr.. 8. instead of promoting those
great national benefits, which the Imagination
of the Honorable Speaker has sketched in such
bright perspective; instead of promoting union
and peace amongst the states and the people, it
would be the apple of discord and disunion.--
Look to the situation of some of the old states,
and see what would be the operation ofthis sys-
tenn upon them. There are many of them who
deny the constitutional power now claimed, and
believe it cannot, and ought not, to be exercis-
ed by this government. They have maintained
that opinion from the foundation of the govern
ment, to the present time. They have hereto
fore refused to participate in any of these
schemes, and would, he had no doubt continue
to preserve their consistency. In relation to
my own state, said Mr.. s. | feel proud conf
dence, that she will not abandon the high ground
which she has heretofore SO well and so ably
sustained. Virginia, sir has maintained too
long, her worship at the ALTA of the Constitu-
ton, pure and undefled, to be reduced from her
allegiance, by golden considerations, or alarm
ed, by any mistaken apprehensions of diSunion
or diSafeCtion. Virginia is not insensible to
the benefits of internal improvement; she is
now actively engaged in this great work but,
she asks not the aid Of this government, and
would scorn to receive it, by sacrifice of her
principles, or an abandonment of duty. There
are other states, which hold the same senti-
ments. What, then, is our situation. Why,
the resources of our nation are to be seized on
to aggrandise our Western and Northwestern
brethren to slbdue the Western floods, and
tame their mountains and, five refuse our as
sent, we are told that &c the Union may be en-
dangered and shaken to its centre.n
Sir, said Mr.. S. entertain no fears upon the
subject. No man can make me believe, that
the rejection of this bill, or the refusal to exer-
else the power now claimed, is to separate
these states, or ALLEVIATE the affections of the
West from the Union. Our Western brethren
are TOO patriotic and high minded they bear
too noble and lofty spirit they are bound to
US by too many and endearing ties +; they have
poured out their blood too freely in defence of
every thing which can be dear to freemen--to
let any mistaken or momentary feeling, hurry
them into dnUchy or diSunion. In opposing this
bill, MIR. 8. dsclaimed any unfriendly feeling
towards the West. He could say, with an an-
cient worthy
C Anxious Plato: sed magis AMIGA veritas"
He loved the West but he loved the Const-
tuition and interests Of his country more.
He called upon gentlemen to pause! If this
poOer must be exercised by this government, let
it be by an amendment of the Constitution. A
proposition to that effect has been submitted in
the other branch of the Legislature. Let us
wait its issue present the question fairly to the
people l do not say that 1 will vote for II y
but if they, after fully understanding and weigh
ing the subject, shall determine TO give you this
power, then, and not till then, attempt to exer-
else it.
Mr. s. said, that he would now proceed to the
question of constitutional power. Have Con
gress right to project and execute agreat ma
tional scheme ofinternal Improvement, by means