Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-12

and nIodern iimss, have fslien u sacrifice 10
e uisi"k, idea, that liberty derives ITS Sc
.'urty, not from the responsibility uf power
~ from its limitations.
But, Ftrust shall not be understood, while
main aiming the complete sovereignty of this
Government, IN relation 10 the great objects
oi IT'S creation, TO underrate the importance
OF the Stat" Governments, or To claim for the
General Government the right OF Interfering,
IN any respect, with their power and jurisdc-
ton. What are the subjects of their power
and jurisdiction The property, the life, the
person, and the character, Of the citizen, and
the general Improvement Of the State.
w"nlu not ext, nd The power of this Govern
ment ST. AS To impair that of the State Gov
ernnents, in relation IN any of these subjects,
any other embraced in the internal police
of the States. What, sir, will be the effect of
the very measure we are discussing in this res
pect Can internal improvements, of ma
tiona kind, by any possibility, impair the pow
er of the State through which they may pass,
to make similar improvements? Their con-
current power would, on the contrary, be
capable of producing much greater results,
aud nothing but spirit of reckless caprice,
which cannot be imputed TO the State Gov
ernments, could induce them Ia resist the in =
cid.n,al CO operation oft General Govern
meDi, in works so essentially beneficial to
themselves. Sir, am utterly incapable of
percei'ing II soitary power of Il State Gov
ernment. which would not exist in as ample a
manner during the progress ola national work
within It's Jurisdiction, DIS il such work had
never been even projected.
But, an honorable gentleman from Virginia,
tMr. Stevenson, has informed the commit
tee, that III" people are alarmed on this sub
ject, and has warned us of the danger Of alien
atins their confidence from this Government.
trust, sir, duly estimate the high character
OF Virginia, for intelligence and patriotism, but
thu gentleman must excuse me for saying that
cannot regard Virginia as IN. barometer of
the national feeling on this question. And,
when we advert 10 the fact, that decided
majority of Congress has for many years
been perse,e inSly attach 10 this system Of
improvement, il would seem to be matter of
some difficulty for the gentleman TO make out
the evidence of the dissatisfaction and alarm
of which he speaks. Indeed, if may he al
lowed to express an opinion on the subject,
doubt whether the people, even of Virginia,
have any Ofthose approximations which some
Of their representatives entertain on this sub
Jcct. The course of argument, which denies
TO this Government the power TO make inter
nal improvements, is too refined and meta
physical for the comprehension of the people,
and, as far us my observation has extended. il
is almost entirely confined To politicians. Tell
plain man that the Government has not this
power, and you strike him with astUnishment
He will b. uti. rly at "A loss Ia understand upon
what principle Government, having so
much power to do evil, should be deprived Of
the power of doing good. And, after ALL com
mon sense is the safest guide in the consiruc-
ton of this constitution. 1t originated with
the people, was designed for the people, and
we shall best fulfil ITS ends by expoundins its
provisions and administering its powers, up
ON those broad and obvious principles which
the people can clearly comprehend.
have reason Ia apprehend, Mr.. Chairman,
that the attention of the committee has been
so exclusively directed to the abstract ques-
ton ofpower, that they have lost sight of many
of the considerations which recommend the
adoption Of the measures under consideration,
on the score of rxpediency. With the indul-
gence of the comnittee, will offer few re-
marks on this latter view of the subject
A gentleman from Virginia, Mr.. Steven
son. has told us, with manner of utterance
which forbids us TO nisunderasand his oh jeci,
that measures of this description will make
this splendid Government trust, sir, that
,oords can have NO magical influence on our
deliberations on this grave question, and
confess can collect no distinct ar intelligi-
BILE idea from The expression To which have
just alluded. What does the genlNma an mean
by splendid Government Does he mean
Il Government which takes an enlarged and
comprehensive view of the great interests Of
our common country, and wisely provides
means for their development Does he mean
a Government which applies the revenue of
the country, not To the qualification Gifts Own
ambition, hut to the promotion Of the happi-
ness, the wealth, and the security of the ppO-
ple' If such he his meaning. hope this viii
never cease 10 be a splendid Government. If
such be not his meaning, the expression can
have M application to the measure with
which il has been associated. No gentleman
has veDtured to question the Importance Of
internal Improvements, as a means of prOmot-
ing the wealth and prosperity Of the country
This has long since ceased 10 he question, in
every civilized nation 10 the world. But, il is
commended that this GOVERNMENTS not cspa-
BILE Of executing works Of this description, with
the same judgment, skill, and economy, rs the
State Governments, Sir, the roads and canals
contemplated by this BILL will be of an extent
which will render IL impossible for the State
Governments to execute them. II, therefore
they are not made by this Government, they
will not be made at ALL But gentlemen are
certainly mistaken in supposins that internal
improvements, of any kind, can be more skill
fully and cbeaply executed by the State Go
vernments, than by this Government. A
State Government, admit, is more capable
of determining what improv ements will pro-
mote the peculiar interests of the State, for
the same reason that this Government is more
capable of determining what Improvements
will promote "the general welfare" Of the
whole Union. But, as relates to their com
paratiye competency for skllful execution, it
would be extraordinary it the General Co
vsrnment had not the advantage. II has al
ready in IFS service corps Of scientific