The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-27
Oct. Is, 1891

There is a passage in Mr. Websler's speech in the
Senate, September %, 1887, which II may mol De
go 10 take some note of He undertakes 4
demonstrate that il is the duty OF The General 20
,,arnment 10 see that currency be maintained,
suited 10 the circumstances Of the times, and 10 The
,,sas ~ trade and commerce II Is at once admitted
10 b, So so far the exercise Of its power over the
conage will enable Congress 10 maintain such
currency But, says Mr.. Webster, besides the power
oyar The coinage There is another power granted
to Congress which seems to ann TO apply loi case
directly and irresisbly, and that Is the commercial
mower. The constitution declares that Congress
shall have power TO regulate commerce, not only
with foreign nations, but bet,reea me States THIS y
a full and complete grant, and must include authori'
" over every thing which is part OF commerce, or
essential TO commerce. And is not money essehual
TO commerce e .@
First let the question be answered II Is admiue'
that u,onev is essential to commences but The KIND
money which the constitution gives the Congress
the power to regulate the value Of, in maintaining
currency, and in regulating commerce between the
States is pointed out in the grant OF The power 70
coin money This grant of power to coin money,
clearly does not make ii the duty OF Congress TO
maintain another kind of currency! @
But to the main point Does the grant OF the
power to regulate commerce between the States,
make ii the duty Of Congress TO maintain a curren7
cv2 Let it be observed that independently OF II
commercial power, it is the duty of Congress I
maintain currency This duty is imposed, !.
well as the kind of currency pointed out, by the ex'
pressly granted power TO COIN money, and regnfah
the value thereof And now we have fairly got at
the question: does the grant Of the commercial power
make il the duty of Congress TO maintain curren-
cvl In further solving this question, shall rely on
authority. In citing authority will refer to the
opinion of an eminent Jurist, who has never been
esteemed " strict construconist" quote Storys
Commentaries on the Constitution, VOL ii, p. Bis.
He saws In the next place TO what extent, and for
what objects and purposes the power to regulate
commerce may be constituionally applied
And first, among the States 1t is not doubted
that it extends to the regulation of navigation, and
to the coasiing trade and fisheries within, as well as
without any State wherever it is connected with the
commerce or intercourse with any other State, or
with foreign nations 1t extends to the regulation
and government of seamen on board OF American
ships; and 10 comforting privileges upon sups built
and owned in the United States in domestic as well
as foreign trade 1t extends TO quarantine laws, and
piloage laws and wrecks Of the sea. II extends, as
well the navigation OF vessels engaged IN carrying
passengers, and whether steam vessels or OF any
other description as TO Inc navigation OF vessels en-
gagged in traffic and general coasting business. 1t
extends to the laying of embargoes, as well on do
nestle as on foreign voyages 1t extends tothe con-
struction of lighthouses, the placing of buoys and
beacons, the removal ofobstrucons TO navigation in
creeks, rivers sounds and bays and the establish
ment of securities to navigation against the nroads
of the ocean 1t extends also to the designation of
particular port ports of entry and delivery for the
purposes of foreign commerce"
And he also says: ertends "to the protecting do
mesic manufactures"
Yet this eminent jurist who says this commercial
power extends to many objects, and says it with
such emphasis Of repetition as TO lead us to believe
he would willingly crtend it farther than it does cr-
tend, does not even here hint that IL makes it "the
duty Of Congress TO maintain currency suited to
the circumstances OF the times c.