Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-12-11

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too apt to fall.
In yielding themselves to this fallacy, they
overlook the great considerations in which the
Federal Constitution was founded. The,
forget that in consequence Of the conceded
diversities in the interests and condition o
the different States, it was foreseen, at tho
period of its adoption, that although partic
ular measure Of the Government, might be
beneficial and proper in one State, it might
be the reverse in an other-that it was fol
this reason the States would not consent tc
make grant to the Federal Government Of
the general and usual powers ofGovernment
but of such only as were specifically enume-
rated, and the probable effects of which they
could, as they thought, safely anticipate and
they forget also the paramount obligation up
on all to abide by the compact, then so SOL
ennly, and as it was hoped, so firmly estab-
lishcd. In addition to the dangers to the
Constitution, springing from the sources |
have stated, there has been one, which was
perhaps greater than all. | ullude to the
materials which this subject has afforded, for
sinister appeals to selfish feelings, and the
opinion heretofore so extensively entertained
Of its adoption to the purposes of personal
ambition. With such stlmulants, it is not
Federal Government in this behalf, should
sometimes have been carried to an alarming
extent. The questions which have arisen
upon this subject, have related,
1st. To the power of making internal inn
provcments within the limits Of a State with
the right Of territorial jurisdiction, sufficient
at least for their preservation and use.
Cd. To the right Of appropriating money
/ N( taI hIr
State or by a company, in virtue OF State au-
thorIty, surrendering the claim Of jurisdiction;
and,
3D.. To the proprioty of appropriation for
Improvements Of particular class, viz: for
lighthouses, beacons, buoys, public piers,and
for the removal Of sand bars, sawyers, and
other temporary and partial impcdlmcnts IN
our nayigable rivers and harbors.
The claims of power, for the General Gov
crnmcnt upon each of these points, certainly
present matter Of the deepest interest. The
first is, however, of much the greatest impor- I
tance, inasmuch as, in addition to the dangers
Of unequal and improvdent expenditure Of
public moneys, common to all, there is super
added to that, the conflicting jurisdictions of
The respective governments. Federal juris-
dction, at least to the extent have stated,
has been justly regarded by its advocates, as
necessarily appurtenant to the power in ques-
lion, If that exists by the Constitution. That
he most injurious conflicts would unavoida-
bly, arise between the respective jurisdictions
ot the State, and Federal Governments, in
he absence of constitutional provision,
making out their respective boundaries, can
lot be doubted. The local advantages to be
obtained, would induce the States to over
ook in the beginning, the dangers and diff
ulties to which they might ultimately be
exposed.
The powers exercised by the Federal Gov
would soon be regarded with jeal-
usy by the state authorities, and originating
S they must from implication or assumption,
would be impossible to aix them certain
md safe limits. Opportunities and tempta-
ions to the assumption of power incompatl-
lie with state sovereignty, would be increas-
ID, and these barriers which resist the ten
ency Of our system towards consolidation,
realty weakened. The officers and agents
f the general government, might not always
ave the discretion to abstain from intermed-
ling with State concerns; and if they did,
ley would not always escape the suspicion ;
having done so. Collisions, and consc
uent irrltations would spring up-that har-
oIIy WuICu SHOulu cVCT chlSl DtLWcCH lHc
eneral Government and each member the
onfcderacy, would be frequently interrupt
ia spirit of contention would be cngcn-
'red--and the dangers OF division greatly {
ultipled. {
Yet We all know, that Notwithstanding
cse grave objections, this dangerous doc
Inc was at one time, apparently proceed {
e to its final establishment, with fearful !
pdity. The desire to embark the Federal
overnment in works of internal improve a
cnt, prevailed in the highest degree, during @
C first session of the first Congress that o
I'd the honor to meet, in my present sitna- Z
On. When the bill authorizing subscrip- a
On on the part of the United States, for stock S
the Maysvillc and Lexington Turnpike I
ompanics, passed the two Houses, there had I
cn reported by the committees of internal II
provemcnt, bills containing appropriations c
r such objects, exclusive Of those for the i
lmberland Road, and for harbors and light Il
uses, to the amount of about one hundred u
d six millions of dollars. In this amount, c
Is included authority to the Secretary of the C
rcasury, to subscribe for the stock of differ u
It companies to great extent, and the resi- e
e was principally for the direct construc- u
IN OF roads by this government. In addi- e
IN to these projects, which had been pre- u
nted to the two Houses, under the sanction c.
d recommendation Of their respective COM II
ttees on internal improvements, there were p
nn still pending before the committees, and tt
memorials to Congress, presented, but not B
Ierrcd, different projects for works of SIM ~
r character, the expense OF which cannot el
estimated with certainty, but must have 81
ceeded one hundred millions of dollars. a
the bill authorizing a subscrip- !. IL
N to the stock ofthc Maysvillc and Lexing- ~ ~
l Turnpike Company, as the entering a; az
dye ola system which, however weak at -