Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-04-01
VOL. II.
Internal improvements

General Government, from which we
extract few paragraphs-scaitered leaves
from his argument-premising that the bill
making appropriations for rivers and har-
bors was under consideration, and that the
Western (democratic) members had avow-
ed themselves en- mdSse in favor of the
bill. If the great principle alluded TO in
the opening paragraph, be indeed dead,
il may be said to have received the last
stroke from a pretended friend, -ride Mr..
Cahoun's Memphis speech. Edr.
Mr.. Rhett obtained the floor, and said.
Mr.. Chairman, the principles on which
the bill before you has been defended BY
the chairman Of the committee on Com
merce, who has Just taken his seat, will
doubtless, in the action Of the committee,
prevail. Like the bill of the last Con-
gress, of which it is the prototype, it will
become law, unless arrested, as that bill
was, by the vetu of the Executive. have
nothing, to alege against the details of this
bill, either in the amount ct money ap-
propriated, although it numbers millions,
or its distribution 1t is true that all goes
North or West; but the reason assigned by
the chairman of the committee on Com.
merce for this peculiarly, to me is per-
fectly satisfactory. The South has ask
ed for nothing. She does not aid in the
overthrow of the Constitution. She is
not accessory TO the murder of great
principle Of the Republican party, perpe.
trated, not by its ancient enemies, but by
its professed friends, and Instead of riot
ing over the dead, will follow the hearse,
as mourner, to its last home. The prin.
ciple Of the bill is all | propose 10 discuss,
rather from respect to the past, than from
ANY hope in the future. n
The differences between the two great
parties OF the country on this very sub
ject of internal Improvement, arose in
the Convention which framed the Consti-
tuition. No man could be ignorant of its
bearing and Importance, whilst eadeavor-
ing to build up two governments over the
same people, and to apportion the powers
between them. Accordingly this subject
was distinctly brought before the Conven-
ton. Gonverneur Morris, the ablest and
most skillful champion of consolidation in
the Convention, designated the powers he
proposed to give, by the Constitution, in
the duties prescribed TO certain officers,
He proposed, amongst others, to make a
Secretary of Domestic Affairs; and made
it his duty
To attend 10 matters Of general po-
lice, the state of agriculture and manuiac-
lures, the opening Of roads and naviga-
lions, and the facilitating communications
through the United States; and he shall,
from time to time, recommend such mea-
sures and establishments as may tend to
promote those Objects"
Here, sir, in admirable grouping, is al
most the whole body OF Federalism. The
General Government was to have charge
Of the police of the States--enact corn.
laws TO promote neutrality-suspicious.
tariffs TO promote manufactures, and "the
opening of roads and navigalions through
the United Siates.' Mr.. Morris's plan
was referred to the Committee of Detail;
the committee, in due time, reported on
these points, the present CONSTITUTIONS
They gave no power 10 the General Go
yernment over the police Of the States,
only authorizing the President of the Uni
ted States to call out the militia g in case
Of Instruction or INVASION" They gave
no bower .to promote agriculture or ma
nufactur,'s or TO open roads ard naviga.
tons, Il as, probably, with distinct
view 10 The reie. tion of these combined
projects Of Governor, Morris, that Alex
ander Hamilton INSERTS in Ire federalist'
that "he encouragement Of Agriculture
and manufactures is an appendagc OF me
Domestic policy of the States" With re-
spect 10 "roads," the committee reported
The clause Of the Constitution as il now
stands; Congress shall have power to-
establish pos, Offices and post roads. -
VI. franklin was not content with this
clause, being clear negation "to open
roads ana navigaiions." He therefore
proposed when il came up Tor considera-
uou, as an addition, 40 provide for cut
ing canals where deemed necessary"
ne still held on 10 the "navigaiions." Mr.
wilson, his colleague, supported DR.. F.'s
amendment, and beg leave TO ask the
special attention Of the committee to the
reason, and the only reason, he assigned
20 supporting it. "Mr. Wilson mention.
Y 'he Importance Of facilitating BY canals
ae communication with the Western set
nements /" The Importance 81 fucili,at.
@s communication through the United
safes was brought forward by Gouver-
ns,lr Morris, y u power booking 70 such
V0lecis iailv,l. Dr. Franklin's amendment
'Nled BY avo'e Of s lo3; Virginia, Geor-
"a, md PennSyl ania, only voting for j..
AflW A. ~