Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-06-17

.a.asts of tho Commonwealth, and regarding the
camera, current of opinion, so far as that was pro-
S5erlv 70 he respected, saw-at least, thought |
saw-my duty to lie in the path which pursued,
The measure is adopted Its consequences. TOT so1'
or evil must be left to the results OF experience. IN
the mean time, | refer the propfety Oh Tue WI
which gave with entire submission, anu WIN
the utmost cheerfuness also, to the judgment OF the
good people Of the Commonwealth.
On some other subjects, Mr.. President, had the
good fortune to act in perfect union with my oohea
que, and with every Representative OF the state,
On one especially, the success OF which, a' sure
must have grafed every one who hears me Gouio
not. Sir, have met this meeting here, couiu no.
have raised nv voice in Faneul Hall--you would
have awed me down--if You had not the pictures
of Patriots which adorn these walls Wouu nave
frowped me into silence, II had refused eishei NY
vote or nv voice to the cause OF the officers ana
soldiers of the Revolutionary army. mat mea-
sure, mixed up of Justice and charity and mercy Is
at last ACCOMPLISHED. The survivors. among those
who fought our Revolutionary battles, under an
engagement to see the contest through are atlength
provided for. not sumpuously,not eXtraVagahiy' pu
ia manner to place them, in their old age, peyonu
the reach of absolute want. Soace, also, has
been administered TO their feelings, as well as theif
necessities. They not lettto count their scars
or to experience the pain OF Wouhas, hii'cteo
half century ago, in their countrys service, WITH
ont some token that they are yet held in grateful
remembrance A gratifying proof OF respect tor
the services Of their youth and manhood, qulckens
the pulsations OF patriotism, in veteran bosoms,;
and as thew NAV now iipe beyond the reach vi all
solue want 50 they will have the pleasure OF clos
ing life when that time for closing 1t shaii come
which must come, with the happy CONSCIOUS
ness of neritorious services gratefully recoWpen-
sed.
Another subject now becoming exceedingly m
teresting was, in various forms presented 10 Coh.
gress at the last session and IN regard 10 winch,
believe. there is, substantially, general union q
opinion among the members from tins common
wealth. | mean what is commonly called lnterna
improvements. The great andgrowing importance
of this subject may, hope, justify few remarks
relative to it, on the present occasion.
1t was e, iden 10 all persons of much observation
at the close of the late war, that the condition aht
the prospects of The United States had become es
sentially changed, in regard to sundry great inter
ests OF the country. Almost from the commence
ment Of the government, down near to the com
rnencement Of that war; the United States had oc
cupied position Of singular and extraordinary au
vantage. They hadb at peace, while the po"
ers of Europe had been at war. The harvest
neutrality had been to them rich, and ample an
they had yeaped it, with skill and diligence. lhei
agriculture and commerce had both telt sensiol
the benefit arising from the existing state OF III
world. Bread was raised for them. whose haht
were otherwise employ ed than IN the cnil'vauoh
the field, and the seas we're naVigated, LOT accoul
Of SUCH az being bel!igerent, could not safely nav
gate them for themselves. These opportunlnt
for useful employments were all seized and enjoys
by the enterprise of the country and q hlsh
gree of prosperity waa the natural resuil.
But with general peace, new state Of things
et,tas nfn
own attention TO the pursuits proper tor their ne
situation, and sought to extend their own agrcult,
al manufact lring and commercial INTERESTS
was evident. that thenceiorward instead OF et1oyi
the advantages peculiar to neutrality, IN tunes
war, general competition would sprung up ana
thing was to be expected without struggle. oti
nations would now raise their own bread, and as
as possible, transport their own commodities
the export trade, and the carrying trade OF
country were therefore certain to receive new {
powerful competitor. if not sudden and vol
checks. 1t seemed reasonable therefore, in
state of things, to turn our thoughts inward, to
pore the hitherto UNEMPLOYED reso1rses OF our {
country to find out, if could, new diyersli
tons of industry, new subjects for the applica
of labor at home.
1t was fit to consider how far home product
could, properly, be made TO furnish achvit,
home supply and SINCE the country stretched {
SO many parallels Of latitude and longitude, abo'
inc. of course, in the natural productions PR
to each, il was of the highest Importance to eng
what means existed Of establishing free and CT
intercourse between those parts, thereby brn
the raw material Astounding in one under the az
Of the productive labor which was found in ano
Roads and canals, therefore, " ere seen 10 be O
first consequence. And then the interesting {
ton arose, how far it was constitutonaily la
and how far expedient, for the general govern
TO give aid and succour TO the business OF m;
roads and canals, in conjunction with indivdu'
terprise State undertakings. ! am among
who have held the opinion that ifany object o
kind be ofgeneral or national importance, It is
in the scope of the powers Of the goyeEnn
though admit it to be power which should
A.,ili and discretion.