Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-08
tut We Enqlufcr
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Much has been said Of late by the Wing press
es Of The city Of The Course pursued By The Hon.
James A. Seldom, relative 10 The improvement of
The James River 1t is extraordinary to see how
obscure is The vision and low obtuse the faculties
of the Wing party OF the metropolis Of Virginia.
What would have been thought OF any other
course Of conduct on MIR SIS part7 Deserion of
principle, recreancy 10 The creed OF States Rights
and bending subserviency 10 popular favor
would have been the universal cry But wheD
like man determined 10 carry out the principles
upon which he was elected, Mr.. Seldom has obey
ed the dictates Of his conscience, and The require
men,s OF his oath 10 support the Constitution The
whole burden OF the defeat OF favori;e scheme
is thrown upon him, and the prejudice OF con-
.luency is arrayed against their representative
II is said by The Compiler, that 1T would he
The excess of folly 10 expect that Congress will
ever graft money for an Improvement, when The
very members who ask il declare that they will
vote TO withhold it," am Of the same opinion
But if for The word ,ciH, in The above extract, we
substitute the word should, both The Compiler and
myself NAV come 10 a different cunclusion.-
Surely the vote OF one man IS no constitutional
argument against an appropriation. Surely
there is no restriction upon The power OF improy-
ing James river in the Constitution, 10 the effect
that il MIR. Seldom votes against il, the power
shall cease. Surely such is not the language of
The Constitution. Then, why withhold The ap-
preparation? Not because it is not necessary ;
not because the object is not strictly analogous
10 an appropriation for the Hudson river; rot be-
cause il is unconstitutional; not because il col-
s,iuliuna il is not The sworn duty OF Congress 10
eouaLe the benefits OF national expenditure but
because the States Of the North are wiser" as
the Compiler calls il; because thar constitution
al feelings yield 20 pecuniary considerations; be-
cause clog -rolline, and not The Constitution, is
The basis Of this system; an, finally, because the
North succeed by practical cours Of reasoning,
which seems 10 lase with our Wig frieads,
(thuush not with THAT class OF politicians whose
constitutional sciuples only suffice 10 keep Virgil
mia under The halches,' y and by which they per-
suade US to surrender The Constitution, give up
our scrupes, yield everything 10 their power or
We shall not "lalten upon an annual larsess
from the Federal Treasury 10 supply which an
annual drausht is made upon our exhausted re-
sources.
And vet when The very Congress which inters
the power 10 improve the Hudson, from its abso-
lutte necessity, becomes SO blind not 10 perceive
The same necessity in a case benefitting sister
Stale of the South, the Wing press do moi visit
upon the wicked heads Of selfish and unscrupu-
lous majority the failure 10 make the desired ap-
preparation, but upon The person OF high-mind-
ed, conscientious and honorable representative.
For one, admire and 10 not condemn The
course OF Mr. Seldom. ! would infinitely prefer
an honest though oppressive poverty Tor The Stale
of Virginia, than that she should sacrifice her
duty 10 her interest, or barter her principles for
the illicit qualification of "faHcning0n The annual
Io,1rs,u from, Tho Federal Treasury
The cause. however, Of this recent allusion 10
the course OF Mr.. Seldom is, the appearance OF
the memorial OF the Common Council oil this
city 10 Congress. So far from any new light
having been Shed by it upon the subject oil con-
stulional power ground has been taken, which,
though somewhat novel, is far from convincing.
In truth, the monsrous doctrine is openly avowed,
that there is "want Of Stale jurisdiction" over
river running exclusively through her ewn Ter
rtory "1he S,ote Then, mas 80 Jnrisdicfion 10
Improve q r,per ,lavsa6lc for sea going resscis."
Ii is not sufficient TO establish jurisdiction in an
other authority, but jurisdiction is denied 10 Vir-
ginia over her own rivers!
And upon what ground Simply upon the
ground That Stale can Ian M dWY upon 70"
,Lags. The principle upon which this provision
was introduced nlo the Constitution, was one
purely commercial in its character. Previous 10
The adoption of the Constitution, restrictions were
laid by States upon trade between them; and The
same policy which led 10 the exclusive regulation
of trade between the States BY the Genera Go
vernmen dictated the introduction OF This clause.
II was The great policy Of FnEE TRAoE-one il no;
The most important OF the objects OF The Coincide
ration.
But why and how does this restriction take
away Stale sovereignty over the rivers7 May
not Two sovereign States bind themselves by
league 10 impose no restrictions on mutual
commerce May not two nations agree 10 i'm
pose no tonnage duty upon their trade with each
other, or with other nationsl And shall il be said,
that by such restrictions al sovereignty overlhelf
waters is surrendered Surely not. The re-
stric,ion OF power is not lis entire deprivaton.-
A partial does not involve total surrender oil au-
thority.
lido not intend discussing this question; but on
" 10 show the improper use Of Mr.. Seddon's
course, which has been made by the Wing press
OF the city. The Stale has jurisdiction over ITS
own waters; and though il could impose no du-
lies or Toll OF any description 10 indemnify II for
the expense OF improvement, il would be The want
OF that authority, only, which Congress has never
exercised in regard 10 any improvement made up.
on any Of the public waters OF the States, and
which would not therefore seem essential 10 The
existence OF proper jurisdiction over them:
STATES RIGHTS.