Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-09-02

OldleS, anu WHICH consequently lCuu 10
consolidation, is the duty of all the true
friends of our political system. That
the power in question is not properly an
incident TO any Of the granted powers, |
am fully satisfied; but if there were doubts
on this subject, experience has demonsra-
ted the wisdom Of the rule that all the func-
tionaries of the federal government should
abstain from the exercise of all question:
able or doubtful powers. If an enlarge
ment Of the powers Of the federal govern
ment should be deemed proper, it is safer
and wiser to appeal TO the States and the
people in the mode prescribed by the con-
stitutiOn for the grant desired, than TO as
sumo its exercise without an amendment
of the constitution. If Congress does not
possess the general power to construct
works of internal improvement within the
States, or to appropriate money from the
treasury for that purpose, what is there to
exempt some, at least, of the objects Of ap-
preparation included in this bill from the
operation of the general rule? This bill
assumes the existence of the power, and
in some Of its provisions asserts the prin-
clple, that Congress may exercise it as
fully as though the appropriations which
it proposes were applicable to the con-
struction Of roads and canals. If there be
distinction in principle, it is not perceiv-
ed, and should be clearly defined. Some
of the objects of appropriation contained
in this bill are local in their character, and
lie within the limits Of single State; and
though, in the language of The bill, they
are called har6OrS, they are not connected
with foreign commerce, nor are they places
Of refuge or shelter for our navy, or com.
mercal marine, on the ocean or lake
shores. To call the mouth of a creek, or
a shallow inlet on our coast, harbor, cam
not confer the authority to expend the
public money in its Improvement. Con-
gress have exercised the pover coeval
with the constitution Of establishing light
houses, beacons, buovs, and piers on our
ocean and lake shores, for the purpose of
rendering navigation safe and easy, and
of affording protection and shelter for our
navy and other shipping. These are safe
guards placed in existing channels of navi-
CATION. After the long acqniescence OF
the government through all preceding ad
ministrations, am not dis-H@ed TO qn-e-
| ton or disturb the auhoritr 70 o&kc 50.
preparations for such purpuesa.
When we advance a step tayond IT,
point, and in addition to the establishment
and support, by appropriations f. IL the
treasury, of lighthouses, beaceus, Bows,
piers, and other improvements within the
bays, inlets, and harbors on our ocean and
lake coasts Immediately connecte5 With
our foreign commerce, and attempt to
make improvements in the interior al
points unconnected with foreign com.
merce, and where they are needed for the
protection and security of our navy anC
commercial marine, the difficulty arises il
drawing line beyond which appropria,
tons may not be made by the federal go
vernment.
One of my predecessors, who saw the
evil consequences Of the system proposed
to be revived by this bill, attempted to de-
fine this line by declaring that "expendl
lures OF this character" should be icon
fined beLOD the ports Of entry or delivery
established by laws!" Acting on this re
striction, he withheld his sanction from {
bill which had passed Congress "to i'm
prove the navigation Of the Wabash river
He was at the same time sensible tina
this restriction was not a satisfactory al
could be desired, and that much embarrass
ment may be caused to the executive de
partment in its execution, by apprOprla
tons for remote and not we'll UNDERSTOOD
Objects" This restriction, 1t was sool
found, was subject to be evaded, and rem
dered comparatively useless in checking
the system of Improvements which it wa
designed TO arrest, in consequence of tn
facility with which ports OF entry and de
livery may be established by law upon tn
upper waters, and in some instances, al
most at the head springs of some of tn
most important of our rivers, and at point
on our coast possessing no commercial i'm
portance, and not used as places of refug
and safety by our navy, and other ship
ping. Many Of the ports of entry and de
livery now athorized by law, SO far a
foreign commerce is concerned, exist onl
in the statute books. No entry of fc
reign goods ever made, and no dutie
are ever ce ed at them. No export
of Americs" PRODUCTS bound for foreig
countries. - clear from them To as
sumo Ia: Heir existence in the statute
books az e9rts Of entry or delivery wal
rant expenditures on the waters leadn
to them. which would be otherwise unal
thorized, would be to assert the propose
ton. that the law making power may ell
, graft new provisions on the constitution
If the restriction be sound one, it ca
only apply to the bays, inIets, and river
connected with or leading to such por