The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-04-18

Nor is it unworthy for those who succeed
them, while they are administering this great
fund, to have regard to those benefcient
purposes, and to promote them.
The beneficial influences upon the gener-
al prosperity of works of the description con-
templated il is not necessary to dwell upon,
they are apparent to the slightest observa-
ton. Their tendency, too, to bind more
fir mly together the whole Union has repeat
edly, heretofore, beea illustrated and press
ed upon the public judgement, by distin-
guished Statesmen of the country. And al
though it does not appear to have been DEEM
ed necessary to rest the present application
upon considerations SO broad as the exclu-
sive motives for the grant, it islnevertheiess
deemed, by your committee, unwise to dis
re gard them.
The Wabash and Erie canal opens into
Lake Erie at its western extremity. Imme-
.diately above, and extending nearly a hun
dred miles, commence the straits of Detroit
and St. Clair; along the shores of which, at
all important points, macadamized roads,
plank roads, and railways, are in progress OF
rapid construction by the British Govern
ment; and at scarcely any point are our own
shores beyond the reach of cannon shot from
the Canadian side. 1t is provided, by the
Constitution ofthe United States, that "Con-
gress shall have power to provide for the
common defence" Consequent upon this
grant of power results a correlaratiye duty.
With a broad and ample discretion, as 10
time and manner, Congress must provide
fot the "common defence" And what
mode of defence can be devised, for the
whole naked. frontier of the upper lakes,
more appropriate, in part, than that ofextend-
ing this canal from the upper extremity of
Lake Erie TO the Ohio river, where, in the
very heart of the country, all the elements
ofmilitary force will be found in SO immeas-
urable profusion; and whence, with so great
security and ~cheapness, both the personnel
and the znateriel of may be suddenly
concentrated upon that unprotected frontier.
AS a part ola system, and in combination
with other ~defences, the facilities SUCH a
work would furnish, for military oper-
%rations, must be esteemed of i~ncalcu-
liable value. The Constitution provides also,
that "Congress shall have power to regulate
the with foreign ~nations.n This
grant of power has been holden, in all past
time to impose upon Congress the duty Of fos.
tering, enlarging, and protecting that COM
merce, at whatever expense or hazard of loss.
But it is in the same clause, and in the same
terms, that the power is conferred also, to Gre
gulate the between the States.'
And shall not the same correlative duty be
in a like manner impliedY
Your committee are not capable of per
ceiving why the same legal and practical
construction should not be given to each
branch of the clause. Finally, the power
vested in Congress TO dispose of the public
lands, in promotion of the general purposes
ofthe Constitution, is ample; its duty.to pro-
vide for the defence of every part of the
Union is imperative; and its obligations tic
extend, facilitate, and enlarge the com
merce between the States, by all just and ap
propriate means, rest upon no doubtful basis
The whole matter, then, referred TO you
committee, seems TO resolve itself into the
question, first, whether the work in contem
~plation lends to secure either of the desira
bic purposes alluded to? And, secondly, i
it be just, consistent with a wise and liberia
policy, and appropriate TO the end in view, II
make the desired grant? AS to the first ques
ton, without further application, and il
addition to the suggestions already submit
ted, yonr committee ask leave to say tha
the memorials committed to them, and which
/ appear to have been signed by many thou
sands o people, and from almost all portion
of the Union, contain ample expositions
which are deemed worthy Of the most favor
able consideration. One of these memoir
ais, (all being of the same tenor,) with tn
accompanying chart, has been ordered b
the Senate TO be printed. (Sen. Doc. Nc
rs, 1st session 2Sth Congress.) Askin
!, leave to refer to that document, they dismis
, this branch of the subject.
:! Whether it be just, consistent with a wis
and liberal policy, and appropriate to tn
! end in view, to make the desired grant, mus
= depend upon considerations to which you
] committee propose now briefly to advert.
! The length of the canal, from the MAJ
NEE bay to Terre Haute, is about three hur
tJored and five miles. For the finishing c
the canal to this point, sufficient provision
S seems to have been made. That small POI
| ton oft which is not now in operation appear
: to have been PLACED "under contract,' wit
s a fair prospect of early completion. Fror
2 Terre Haute to Evansville, on the Ohio ri,
er, the estimated distance is one hundre
Y and forty-two miles. On this latter porto
of the line of communication, the Genera
S Assembly of Indiana, by their joint r~esolutlo
e affirm that the State has already expende
f more than one million of dollars; theswhol
e ofwhich, that General Assembly say, "wi
i:in a measure be lost" unless other NEAR
to complete the work be obtained. To con
b plete it fully, the memorialists say, twill r'
quire a sum not exceeding S1,186,A24; til