The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-19
II H + n + w E II A.
From the New Orleans Bulletin.
ADDRESS OF MIR. CALHOUN.
On taking The Chair ofthe Southeastern Con-

Concluded
But how is this all TO be effected This, gems
tlemen, brings to a more delicate question: aud
that is, How far may invoke the aid of the
General Government for that purpose cannot
be wrong in surprising that there must be great
diversity of opinion in this assembly in reference
to the extent to which it may be consttulionally
invoked. Ii is well known that my opinion is i'm
favor of a rigid construction of the Constitution,
while there are Others IN favor of more enlarged
view. But trust that we shall be all agreed on
one point, and that is 10 abstain from pressing our
views on all subjects where there is diversity of
opinion. 1t is only by such forbearance that we
can avoid conflict and preserve harmony; and /
for one am prepared to set example of such for
bearance. Applause) Let then all agree TO
touch no subject on which any portion of the body
enterlans constitutional scruples. With these
impressions, | read with particular appreciation
the circular of your Committee calling The Con-
venton, which stated that subject upon which
4 diversity of opinion existed constitutional
grounds should be discussed. 1t evnced regard
for that sacred instrument, which augurs well for
the success OF our labuTs. lnueed the first step
towards the accomplishment of the objects for
which we are convened-the development of the
resources of the South and VESTS the pTeser-
walton OF our liberty and our free popular insitu-
lions, and the first step, towards that, is the pres
ervaton of our Constitution. To them we owe
veloPlng the great resources OF our country, and
on them we must depend for their full and perfect
development, which would realize the anticipa-
lions OF all the founders OF our governmsss, and
raise our country To greatness SURPRISING all that
have gone before us.
With these remarks begin with asking, How
IA the aid Of the General Government can be in
voked to the improvement of the navigation of the
Mississippi and It's great navigabe tributaries?
And here let me premise, that the invention of
Fulton has in reality, for all practical purposes,
converted the Mississippi, with its great tributa-
ries, into an inland sea. (Applause.) Regard
ing it as such, am prepared place it on the
same looting with the Gulf and Atlantic coast The
Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, and the Lakes,
in reference TO the superintendent of the General
Government over lis navigation. 1t is manifest
that 1t is far beyond Tie power of individuals or
OF separate States 10 supervise it, as there are
eighteen States, including Texas and the Terri
tories-more han half the Union-which lie in
the valley of the Mississippi border on its nav-
gable tributaries.
But, gentlemen, while am in favor of placing
its navigation and that of lis great navgable tribu-
taries under The supervision of the General Co
vernmenI, am utterly opposed TO extending its
supervision beyond the limits of the grounds on
which have placed 1t would carry it. 1t is the
genius OF our government to leave TO individuals
what can be done by individuals, and 10 indivdu-
al States what can be done by them, and to restrict
the power of the General Government to that
which only be effected through lis agency and
the powers specifically granted Indeed setting
all constitutional objections aside, it would be i'm
proper, mere matter of eXpediencV To invoke
the aid of the General Government in the eXecu-
ton of any one object which could be effected by
the agency of individuals States In a country
of such vast extent ours, local expenditures are
liable to great abuses. They are seen to lead to
IL L
rolllng;" and TO terminate in useless and wasteiul
expenditures OF public money.
AS TO the measures necessary to keep open at
all times cOastlng voyage between the Gulf and
Atlantic, there is no who will question the
constitutional competency OF Congress to adopt
them, and | accordingly pass them over without
further remark.
| come now TO the question, How far the aid of
the General Government may be invoked to exc
cute the system of proposed railroads between the
Mississippi and its tributaries and the Southern
Atlantic ports And here | must premise, that
according to my opinion, the General Govern
ment, has no right to appropriate money except TO
carry Into execution its delegated powers and
that do not regard the system of railroads or in
iernal improvements as compreheDded under
them but it may still be in its power to do some
thing directly in aid of their execution where the
roads pass through lands belonging to the United
States do not doubt the right of the Govern
ment, regarded in the light Of proprietor, to
( grant lands IN aid of such improvements when
they are calculated TO enhance their value and
have accordingly never hesllaied as a member of
Congress to vote in favor Of acts granting alternate
sections to railroads or canals under such cIrcum
stances Acting on that principle cheerfully as
| President Of the Senate, gave the casting vote in
! favor of act granting alternate sections TO the
canal intended to connect Lake Michigan with tho
Illinois River. But although it may not be in the
| power OF the General Government to give anv con-
siderable directad in execution of the system. vet
II rnay give indirectly every essential aid Itiswell
known that the principal expense in constructing
railroads Is caused by the price of iron but per
haps IT Is not as well known that LARGE p,rtiop
OF the price consists in the duty laid on the i'm
Porialon OF IRON The duty alone on heavy t.
iron am informed on good authority. is more
than Two thousand dollars a mile A repeal. then
Of the duty on It would in effect be- equal to a
subscription Of that sum per mile
do not intend TO touch upon the vexed ones.
ton Of the Tariff. ! know that there is a diver
sIiy o opinion IN respect TO the protective policy
j his IS not The place to agitate il bat wopId
submit That under present circumstances thar oues-
ton cannot be fairly raised IN reference To the r.