Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-06-13

DTlLC vi W. eaAiN
who have held the opinion that if any object OF
that kind be Of general and national impor.
lance, it is within the scope OF the powers OF
the govern ment, though l admit it to be a pow
err which should be exercised with very great
care and discretion. Congress has power 70
regulate commerce, both internal and external,
s. whatever might have been thought to be the
literal Interpretation of these terms, we know
the construction TO have been, from the very
first assembling of Congress, and by the very
men who framed the constitution,'hat the regu-
lation Of commerce comprehended such mea,
sures as were necessary for its support, Its im>
prosement, its advancement; and justified such
expenditures as Piers, Beacons, Light Houses,
and the clearing out Of harbors, required
Instances Of this sort, in application OF the
general revenues nave been frequent, from the
commencement ofthe government. Asthe sama
power, precisely, exists in relation TO IN
I .rnal as to external tiade, it was not
easy to see why like expenditures might
not be justified, when made OH internal OBJ
jeeis. The vast regions OF the west are Pc
n~elrated by rivers, TO which those oil Europe
are but as rllls and brooks. But thenaVi"
cation OF these noble streams, Washing, as
they do, the margin Of one third OF the States
Of the Union, was obstructed BY Obstacles, ca
| pable OF being removed, &yet not likely 10 be re-
moved, but by the power Of The General Govern
ment. Was this a jusli6able object OF sxpen-
diture from the National Treasury: Without
hesitation, | have thought 1t was. a vast
chain Of lakes, it it be not more proper to call
them a succession Of inland seas, stretches into
the deep interior of this northern part IT The
Continent, as if kindly pl.ced there by Pro-
violence 10 break the continuity OF the land, and
| afford the easier & reader inlercou's. Of water
conveyance. But these vast lakes required,
also, haIbors aud lights, and breakwaters.-
And were these lawful objects of National Le-
gislation? 10 mr, certainly, they have appeared
to be such, as clearly as if they were on the
Atlantic border.
In most OF the new states Of tine West, The
United States are yet proprielors OF vast oo'
dies Of land. Through some Of these states,
and sometimes through these same public
lands, the local authorities have pr pared TO
Carry expensive canals, for the general benefit
of the county Some of these undertakings
have been attended with great expense, have
subjected the states, whose enlcrprislng splril
has begun and carried them on, to large debts,
and heavy taxation. The lands Of the United
States being exempted from all taxation, OF
course bear no part Of this burden. Looking
to the United States, therefore, as a great land
I'd proprietor. essentially bencfprl by these
improvements, | nave felt TO diff ulty in yo-
ing for the appropriation of parts of hese
lands, as a reasonable contribution by ,he UnI-
led States to the general objects.
Most Of the subjects to which | have refer
red, are much less local, in their influence, aud
Importance, than they migh' seem. The Break
water in the D. laware, useful 10 Phllade lphia,
i. useful also TO all the ship owners in the
United States, and indeed u all interested in
commerce, especially that great branch, The
c~oas,wise cummeree If the mouths Ut the
Southern rivers be deepened and improved,
the neIghbcr:ng cities are benefited, but so
also are the ships which visit ;lem, and if the
Mississippi and Ohio be rendered more safe
for navigation, the great markets Of consumP'
lion along their shores are the more readily and
cheapIy approached, by the products Of the
Factories and the Fisheries Of W .Englanc.
Ii is my opinion, Mr.. President, that the
presen: Government cannot be maintained but
by administering ii on principles as wide and
broad as the country over which il extends. ]
mean, Of course, no extension of the powers
which, it e%onfrrs, but speak Of the spirit with
which those powers should be exercised. II
there be any doubts, whether SO many Repub-
lies, covering so great portion OF the globe,
can be long held together under this constItu-
lion, there is no doubt in my judgment, of The
impossibiIily of SO holding them together by
any narrow, contracted, local, or self ,h system
of legislation. To render the constitution per-
pe,ual, (Which God grantit may be- il is ne
cessary that it's bentfi,s should be practically
felt, by al parts Of the country, and all interests
in the c%ountry. The East and West, the
North aud South, mus: all See their own
welfare protected and advanced by 1t. While
the Eastern frontier is defended by ~fort!fica>
tons, its barbors improved; and
d frnded by a naval force, it is right aud Just
that the region beyond the Allegheny should
claim fair consldera ION aud equal attention, IN
any object OF public Improvement, interesting
to Itself, and within the proper power OF The
Government: These, Sir, are, in BRET, the
general views by which | have been governed,
on questions Vt his kind; and | trust they are
such as this meeting does not dlsa2prove.
would no, trespass farther upon your atten-
ton, fl did 10, feel lit my duty to say a few
words on tie condi ion OF pubic affairs under
ano,brr a,ner,- We are CO. the eve OF d new