Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-08-26

Paratvev inexpensive, aud 90 puroly bene6eent strike
dead law passed by Of the entirely "democsas
Congresses that we have had for many year,
Yet in the midst Of al his novel assumptions OF
his own unhessnng exercise Of perverted and abused
rence has demonstrated the wisdom Of the rule that all The
fanetonaes Of the Federal Government should abssnin
from the exercise OF all questionable doubtful powers
IL experience has demonstrated Il has In
vain for IL 10 ndispuabe that tho powers of tie
ment have been progressively enlarged ano.t fro, i,,
foundation that nearly all such enlargement have only
served TO swell the Executive suthotity and influence
now grown enormous aud that particularly snce Gen
Jsckson's time, there moderation in the use nor be.
ahon IN tho usurpston OF power although Presidents at
times give themselves very vrtuous about strict con-
struction.
81" Continues the Veto) enlargement Of tho power,
o' the Federal Government should be deemed proper is
safer and wiser appeal to the States and the Peope
the mode prescribed by the Constitution for the giant de-
Sired than TO assume Its exercise without en-
Of the Constitution. 4"
No doubts bat this be so good rule for IN. Co,.,r
ment IN general why not good for the Executive in par
ueuari Were not the powers assumed by President Pk
ss to engaging in hosties with Mexico and the .ub.e
ouent proceeding very questionable. the easf In
such cases he would have others consult Convo nton
the People, which, by amending the Constitution could
give the power; bet he himself does d.ign even to
consult Congress- to whom alone IL belong. 10 make or
bring on war There ample time; and yet lio re-
speet had the President for any method BY which that
which he desired do might be made legal that ne did
not even regard the instruction Of Congress already
to hun In due form OF law ";o settle the question OF dpu
ted boundary with Mexico by negotiation 80
on inc doctrines m the following sentences have al
ready commented as fret in dsect contradiction Of four
Jseksonian acts aud, secondly incapable through the
impossiey OF meeting entirely national or strictly
local. OF ever being reduced practice by
ing all pubic works whatever by the General Government
unless. perhaps. custom. houses and Qualifications:
some OF the objects Of appropriation contained in this
single State and THOUGH in tho language Of tho BILL
they are called hsrbors they connected with
commerce. nor are they places OF refuge shelter for our
navy, or commercial marine tho lake sho,e,
Il q X. o n mi,
coast harbor, confer the srlhory TO eIpend tho
public money in its improvement"
"Congress have exercised the power coeval with the
constitution of establishing lighthouses beaeons buys
and piers and lake shores for the purpose Of
rendering navigation safe and and OF soriias pocc-
ton and shelter Tor navy and other shipping These
arc safeguards placed in existing channels OF
After the long scquescenco OF the Government through oil
preceding administrations, am not disposed question
disturb the authority to make appropriations for such
purposes"
Now observe. the President plainly intmaes that the
nuhang OF lighthouses Is doubtful power IN that he
aeqiiesee without his sole legitimate the
doubt-that - TO say without appealing tn n Convention
Bu he plainly means that Congress has power for i'm
proving harbors but such Nature herself formed
Else why object to greeks thalow inct,." and pas
sageS which are not "eSisting channels OF navgaon1-
Not To speak Of the Mississippi and countless
tributaries, the progress Of the Of navgaOn-cf steam
has made accessible 10 trade and converted into harbor
muliudes OF places not natural passes ports Are not
these then, much the legitimate objects OF the Govern
menTs authority over ccmmtTce merely and lake
harbors for shpsi "Shallowsi" Why, there other
things shallow besides creeks! What IS shallowl How
deep must water be be shallow Deep enough for tho
Pennsylvania only shallow for soop or light
daught steamboat And is that commerce. however
vas, its which aseends ST. Louis or CINCINNATI
Besdes we have areedy remarked the clause OF
the Constitution which gives power foreign commerce
gives it, in equal extent between the States
and thus bring. all rver channels OF such from State
TO State much within the jurisdiction of the Federal au
thority as any saltwater or lake harbor.
The Of the argument Of uo else besides
repetition, in various forms. Of this profound
that need pursue IL further for have already ex
posed nearly every socaed principle which we find in
the document We need only add that we see not for our
life, how. uron the sKioms OF this Veto. the Federal
eminent improve any thing by Land or Lake or Sea
or River Were the Presidents scrupes War half
nice those which he chershes in regard TO Peaceful
things he could hardly raise coporas guard" except
OF politicians; and his notions the power Of do
ing good ha ms expansive as those Of havoc, he might
open a canal TO every pond in the Union.