Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-04-20

the more bois,efous Atlantic, toe canal should be.
like the CaleJonisn, in Scotland. or that OF Hol-
stein, in Denmark. large enough Tor vessels OF
deep draush, and great capacity; or the longer
,vo,,se by the Cape OF Good Hope, verifying the
old adsye will still be the more expedient, because
by much The cheaper.
But having he entrance and the exit oil ms
canal determined, will so far play the p'ophe!,
to predict that no open cu' across he peninsula
will ever be resor,ed 10, for the purpose OF con-
meeting them; and, If united at all, 1t will be Ell
iected by one or more feeders conducted to sutD
NIT level, and by locking down from its Two ex-
,remes. The utility, therefore, of this survey
which has been ordered, it this anticipation be
confirmed, will depend on conducting, IN tins arid
climate, the waters OF It's rivers to considerable
distance in one more canals, OF greater or les
elevation above the tide; and if there be no such
ADEQUATE store of water Tor the summit, level and
| he necessary lockage, that defect alone should
arrest the survey which may otherwise cost thrice
the sum we appropriate, besides very many valua-
bic lives, and end at last abortiveiy
nigh, not, perhaps, oppose another obstacle
| and, trust, none is necessary TO my colleagues
notion by reminding The House, that, II The act
| referred to in the clause which he proposes 10
strike out be YET in force, we cannot wi'hheio
the sum which requires, without again maintain
in. the extraordinary doctrine which has, notwith
standing many advocates on this floor, that this
House can constitutiouslly defeat law, by with
holding the appropriation required Tor It's 'ai'hiu
execution This however, Is not a treaty, but
| an &C, which received, (though ii may not be
deemed to bind us) the sanction OF our predeces-
sors
| As should vote the appropriation, although
the act had existed, so VIII lay no iui'her
| stress upon this argument.
| One thing more and / have done. My col
league has Gecaimed, with much rec, against
the LANCER Of Executive encroachmente, and the
importance of restraining Executive power
Would that he could devise adequate means oil
guarding ag ains the abuse, without destroying tue
use, OF this essential power oil every government
whether limited absolute
MY colleague and shall no, differ in the sentl-
ment in hich our forsfahers united that tisby tile
proper sepsraon and distribution OF the Executive
Legis,a i've, and judicial powers OF any Govern
ment, that tendency to tyranny can be restrained
or that this tendency may be FASTENED, a. all ex-
per ,ence testiies by the absorbing influence oil me
!, Legislative Department, az well as by executive
encroachrnent. The value oil these principles
WAS early taught and cheri-h as devotediy as my
, colleague must be permitted, if be does not
to deplore the intrinsic difficulty OF defining The
line Of separation between Executive and Legs
lative power. Their concentration In tie same
hands, we equally Admit to be subve'sive oil poll
. teal lb1uy. That judicial power which p'otec''
us securely from the abuse oil either, is, IN
deed happily freed from this danger; that well de-
, tned and unobirusive authority, whcb faithfully
expounds, and solemnly applies, the Constitution
and laws TO the protection OF our property, our
tlber,y, and our lives On this safeguard, and the
periodical corrective of Executive a. well a.
Legislative abuse, by the Representative primer
! pie, on the virtue and knowledge of those "bc
WELD the elective franchise, we have al las TO rely
fir safety and for ruccor. Even these have
proved fallb!e CORE ctlves. Could my colleague
supply better, could he guard against the
abuse of Executive power, he would entiIle him.
self TO immortal praise. He will no find his safe
guard however, should he seek it, a. | presume be
would on the present occasion, in a obstruction Of
the ROVER itself; no. will this House aid his pur-
suit, by converting the Legislative Hall into an
arena for the tits OF the champions tor Presidential
Candidates. The authority 10 apply the public
revenue 70. the construction OF roads and canals
50 far as this Legislature enact, and She Peo-
pie sanction it, is now, late President airmso
of another often debated question, yes GdJudicGtd
In this state his immediate successor found IL
and, such, he has transmitted II TO the present
incumbent in Office, and his advisers. With one
of these, especially charged by the Chief hlags-
traIe with the administration OF this power, have
long been Intimately acquainted, and for him have
long cherished personal regard, which grew VI
him capable of sanctioning the intrigues charged
upon the recent exercise of this power, but which
/ trust. | have satisfactorily dsproved, | would
spurn his friendship, had he diadem 10 wear, anc
princpalities 10 besow.
To facilitate and guide The beneficial use of ,hi'
power, this appropriation Is now required II
stricken from the appropriation bill before us, lis loss
cannot be otherwise supplied during The residue %
The present Session of Congress. The operation,
of the corps of Typographical Engineers must bt
suspended, to the utter destruction of The utility o
much OF their past though unfinished labors; ant
the pIosiraon OF thai system of Internal Improve
nent, which, il is essential to the Commercial
prosperity, the common safety, and future Unior
of these States, believe 10 be the Gost iinpYr.
tsnt object TO which the attention of this Hous,
can, al any time, be called; and, this belief,
ask, TO he forgiven, for the of that portion OF
which have oD-umed.