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

Adams pamphlet copy OF MIR. kHETT
speecb on Internal improvements by the
General Government, from which we
extract few paragraphs scattered leaves
from his argument--premlsing that the bill
making appropriations for rivers and haf-
bors was under consideration, and that the
Western (democratic) members had avow-
ed themselves en- masse in favor of the
bill. If the great principle alluded TO in
the opening paragraph, be indeed dead,
il may be said 10 have received the last
stroke from pretended friend, -ride Mr..
Calhoun'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, il will
become law, unless arrested, as that bill
was, by the veto of the Executive. have
nothing, to allege against the details of this
bill, either in the amount of 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
It's professed friends, and Instead of riot
ing over the dead, will follow the hearse,
as a mourner, to its last home. The prin-
ciple of the bill is all propose TO discuss,
rather from respect to the past, than from
any hope in the future.
The differences between the two great
parties OF the country on this very SUBJ
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 Gouverneur Morris, the ablest and
most skillluI 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 to matters of general po-
lice, the state of agriculture and manulac-
lures, the opening of roads and nayiga-
tons, and the facilitating Communications
through the United States; and he shall
from time to timr, recommend such med
sures and establishments as may tend tc
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 10 promote agriculture prohibition,
tariffs to promote manufactures, and t.tht
opening of roads and navigations through
the United States.'' Mr.. Morris's plar
was referred to the Committee of Detail
the committee, in due time, reported OF
these points, the present Constitutions
They gave no power to the General Go
vernment over the police of the States
only authorizing the President of the Uni
ted States to call out the militia " in cas-
of instruction or INVASION" They CAV
no power "to promote" agriculture or ma
nufactures, or to open !" roads ard naviga
TONS" 1t was, probably, with a distinc
view to the rejection Of these. combine
projects Of Governors Morris, that Alex
ander Hamilton asserts in the Federalis
that "lhe encouragement of agricultur
and manufactures is an appendage of th
domestic policy of the States = With re
-spect TO ''roads," the committee. reporte
the clause of the Constitution as ii no'
stands: "Congress shall have power |
establish post Offices and post roads,
DR.. Franklin was no. content with thi
clause, being a clear negation /" to ope
roads and navigations.' He therefor
proposed when it came up for considera
ton, as an addition, " to provide for cut
ting canals where deemed necessary.
lie still held on to the " navigaiions.n MI
wilson, his colleague, supported DR.. f !
amendment, and beg leave to ask til
sPeclal attention Of the committee to tn
reason' and the only reason, he assigne
Tor supporting II. g Mr.. Wilson rnention
ed the Importance Of facilitating by canal
The communication with The Western SCI
dement's The importance 4 ii faeilita,
ing communication through he Unite
Slafes J, was hrnIIa III fnrr.,..,.d - -