Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-09

ering its powers upon those broad and obvious
principles which the people can clearly COM
prehend.
| have reason TO apprclcnd, MIR. Chairman,
that the attention OF the committee has been
so exclusively directed to the abstract question
of power, that they have lost sight OF many of
the considerations which recommend the adop-
ton of the measures under consideration, on the
score OF eXpcdiency. With the indulgence of
the committee, will offer few remarks on
this latter view of the subject.
A gentlman from Virginia, (N1r. Stevcnson,)
has told us, with manner of uttcrance which
forbids us to misunderstood his object, that mca-
sures of this description will make this sptea-
did Government! trust, sir, that cords can
have no magical influence our deliberations
ON this grave question, and confess can col
lect no distinct or mtelligiblc idea from the ex-
preston to which have just alluded What
does the gentleman mean by splendid Govern
mento Does he mean Government which
takes am 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
ofits own ambition, but 10 the promotion of the
happiness, the wealth. and the security OF the
people? If such be his meaning, l hope this
will never cease to be splendid Govern
inent. If such be not his meaning, the eX-
preston can have no application to the mea-
sure with which 1t has been associated. No
gentleman has ventured to question the impor-
lance of internal improvements, as means of
promoting the wealth and prosperity Of the coun-
try. This has long since ceased to be Il qucs-
ton, III every civilized nation in the world.
But, it is contendcd that this Government is
not capable of executing works of this dcscrip-
ton, with the same Judgment, skill, and ccono-
my, as the State Governments. Sir, the roads
and canals contemplated by this bill, will be of
IN extent which will render 1t impossible for the
State Governments to execute them. If, there
fore they are not made by this Government,
they will not be made at all. But gentlemen
are certainly mistaken in supposng that internal
Improvements, of any kind, can be more skill
fully and cheaply executed blythe State Govern
ments, than by this Government. A State Go
vernment, admit, is more capable of determine
ing what improvements will promote the pecu-
liar interests of the State, iur the same reason
that this Government Is more capable of deter
mining what Improvement. will promote the
general welfare" Of the whole Union But. as
relates to their comparative competency for
sfilful execution, it would be extraordinary If
the General Government had not the advantage.
1t has already in its service corps of scientific
Engineers, and is possessed ofsuperior resources
and opportunities for commanding the first ia
Tents of the country, or of the world, if neces-
sary. Ii can cast its eye over the whole Union
and combine and concentrate the results of the
experience of all the States. In word, it has
all the advantages which more abundant re-
sources, superior intelligence, and more COM
prehensive view of the improvements already
made In this and other countries. can confer up
on it. Very few of the States have much prac-
teal knowledge on the subject. 1t is within nv
own knowledge that in that which have the
TT tn Of
have been expended, with very little skill or
economy. tits not TO be expected, indeed, that
any Government can carry on undertakings of
this kind, with the minute economy which is
practicable IN those of private nature, in which
Individual interest holds a constant check upon
extravaganza. But, in this respect, Govern
ment is Government. All are equally liable t.
imposition, and if the objection am considering.
were substantial il would arrest tie progress of
internal improvements altogether. The faIlacy
of this argument, as well as of most of those
urged by the gentleman from Virginia, consists
in the supposed exemption of the State Govern
mcnts from the frailtics and imperfections which
are incident to all Governments.
But, Mr.. Chairman, we arc urged to the a.
doption of this system of the internal improve
ments, by considerations growing out of the pc
culiar character of our government, infinitely
more important than auy which relate merely to
the economy of national wealth. There is not,
upon the face of the earth nation deeply and
YitaIly interested in the Improvement of the IA
cilitics of internal communication, as the United
States; for, whatever, differences of opinion
may prevail upon other subjects, all of us must
agree that our hopes of reaching the high and
happy destinies for which Providence seems to
KAYE formed this country and this government
absolutely depend upon the preservation of the
U.:ion. And what are the sources from which
danger is to be apprchended in this particular:
Dissimlarity of interests, suspicion of socia
and commercial intercourse, and consequent
alienation of fleeing among the great geographic
cal subdivisions of the country. Intercourse is
the only cifectual preventative. This, sir is not
amattcr ofmcre speculation. The most saluta.
~ effects have resulted from the intercourse
between the Northern and Southern States al
intercourse founded upon commercial and other
accidental relations and facilitated by the chan
nels provided by nature. So papable has been
the effect oflhis intercourse in correcting mu.
tual prcjudiccs, that it cannot have escaped the
most careless observer. Without this, il is i'm
possible to say what would have been the effect
of our political divisions, in 4 crisis which has
happily passed away, what would now have
been the state Of feeling existing between the
Northern and Southern portions Of this Union
But, united rs they are by the strong ties o.
interest, consecrated by social kindness aud mu.
tual good Offices, these portions OF the Union can
never separate.
But sir there is in another direction, danger
which cannot be disguised. no statesman, Of
enlarged views and patriotic feelings, can look
with Indifference upon the situation Of the Yves.
tern Country, and the relation it bears to this
Union If is NJ oil ma kim that rivers unite ma.