The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-31

,... MON this committee. II is that OF Alexander
H.nl,oo His opinions upon this subject are Of Psea-
I;.r value, not only because he was member OF lhe
convention WEIGH framed the constitution, ana one
Of The authors Of the celebrated commentary up
on lis principles, but because he isknown to have
INDUCED q strong bias IN favor OF the powers OF
the general government and 10 have adopted the
most liberal doctrines IN their interpretation Yet,
even Mr. Hamilton with all his leaning towards federal
authority could find no warrant ia the constitution for
the no ,er 10 make roads aud canals In his Report on
Manufactures after speaking Of the Importance Of roads
am, canals To the pro .perty of manufactures and men,
toning several why desirable that the gene
raj government should possess the authority make
them, he concludes by saying these circumstances
retder il rish Of patriotism that the general go
vernmenr "were al liberty pursue and promote the
general interest by adopting national system of inter-
nal improvements Here, then, we have an unequivo-
cal admission that the general government is not
"at liberty TO adopt this sysiem--an admission tho
more precious, because II is evidently made with great
reluctance.
In answer TO a remark made by one OF my colleagues
(Mr Archery that At the Of the adoption OF the
Constitution, allusion was made 10 the existence Of
such power as is now claimed, gentleman from New
York (Mr Storrs) mentioned amendment. TO the Con-
stitnon which proposed by Mr.. Jones IN the con-
venton Of that State. the substance Of which that
the power to establish post roads should not be con-
s'rued TO extend 10 the making laying out, and repairing
Of roads 10 the several States, without their consent
This amendment cannot be fairly considered even as
evidence OF Mr. Jones' opinion that Congress possessed
the power make roads under the clause Of the Con-
stuiion referred TO All that il proves is that Mr.
Jones appehcnded that this clause mg hereafter BE-
construed give to Congress the power make roads
and that he wished in such event render its
else innocent as possible by requiring the previous
consent Of the States in which the roads should be laid
out The very first Of the actual amendments to the
Constitution declares that Congress shalt make law
restraining the free exercise OF religion abrdging the
freedom Of speech, OF the press the right Of petit
tioning" Is be inferred from this amendment that
without il. Congress could lawfully have done the
things inhibited BY 1t I presume not The truth is
that this AMI several other amendments from
spirit Of jealous caution, and apprehension of future
ener 'achment from the General Government, and fur
nsh evidence Of the opinions entertained Of the rea
extent Of the powers granted.
But, whatever may have been the opinion Of Mr.
Jones, may be permitted 10 oppose 10 II the autho-
ritv OF Patrick Henry, who, in The debates OF The
Virginia convention, amer depicting in the most
glowing colors what he deemed The vast powers OF
the General Government and the dangers of con-
sDlidaon, concluded BY SAYING, all that is lef 10
the States is 10 take of The poor, maize and
pair Aighrays, erect bridges" &c Even this jealous
guardian OF State rights, who deserted the remoeS
dangers which Threatened the tety Of our republi
can Institutions, and "snufed the approach Of ty.
ranny In every tainted breeze" even he, while he
believed that every other power was swallowed ur
by the General Government satisfied that This
l.
States. And, if he could have foreseen the attempt
WHICH is now made 10 appropriate to the General
Government this portion Of State svereignty, none
would have alarmed him more for none is more
directly cul2ted 10 lead TO consolidation. II is a
power which comes home to the business and bosoms
OF the people; it approaches their freSides, and
touches their most intimate domestic interests ii
the inhabitants of the States, instead of looking to
their governments at home, are 10 look 10 the gene
raj government Gas they certainly WILL il this system
should be ad"pted) for the ordinary facilities Of
travelling and transportation then the State govern
msnts become useless machines, and are not worth
the expense OF maintaining. You upersede them in
the exercise OF their most appropriate functions and
dissolve the strongest lie which connects them with
the people of the States. What then becomes OF
the ,asled equilibrium of system which has al
ways been regarded as the best preServative of ouI
liberties Il is gone: II is dou6lp gone You de-
slroy il, not only by taking away, in effect an inn
portant power from the Stale governments, but by
delivering the same power, with an increased mas.
Of pair mage and of influence into the hands OF The
General Government.