The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-16

great measures of reform which the had re-
Gently adopted-rom the great financial measures which
mercia interests OF the nation TO the annexation OF Tex
as and the glorious display Of their arms upon the battle
helds OF Mexico So with regard to internal improve
consistently 60 He was not little surprised at the
course which the President had seen fit to adopt He
once the President to be in favor OF improve
ments In the navigation OF salt water and the lakes now
seemed that he was in favor of improvements at all
with regard to the power to improve harbors and rivers
he understood the President to say that in line Of the
constitution did TINS power exist He understood him
demosh It line by line, like straw He could not agree
with the President in thus pernacousy declaring that
they had no power to clear out habors rivers &C. He
could not agree, however, with some gentlemen that
under the power to regulate commerce. they had power
to dig canals &C. Neither would he agree with his col
ON ON ms right strictly saving that they had the
ton OF commerce. to improve all harbors and rivers In
what part OF the constitution, then, this power be
power was found in that instrument there were also
found all the incidental provisions for carving out that
power BY what authority had the Presidents mansion
there should be President and he must reside some
where! By what power had this Capitol been erected
except that the constitution provided for the meeting OF
Congress- and they must OF necessity have place to
meet in' By the mode Of reasoning he sustained
the proposition which he laid down, that the power ne
cessarly implied the means for carrying it out So. in
the contrary Notwithstanding. They had the power
then, to improve rivers and haTbos. The interesting
question arose on the same mode Of interpreting the con-
shution which the President had adopted Had they the
power to make peace If the constitution did not give
them the power to make peace surely they must fight
Mexico eternally. So with the various means which
nad Deen adopted IN carrying the present war with
Mexico The Congress did not make specific provision
for each case it did provide for the use Of Colts PTS
tolls for they had none in the days when the constitution
was framed it did not provide for the erection of arse
nas.for the building of vessels and steamships
nor dd It provide for the cutting of roads, for the re-
% hes o. ng ms @psd IRON R point
TO deny that they possessed the power because they
not stated in SO many words in the constitution This
vessel should be fitted up and loaded with forces 10 be
transported down the Ohio and Mississippi en- route to
the army she strikes snag in the Mississippi and cam
cause the government have not the power to clear out
the rver According to the reasoning OF the President
they mus and the snag cannot be cleared unless the
Of such arguments If they could provide for carrying
On war until the upon Them how would they be
prepared for war The Father Of their Country had ad
vlsed them to prepare for in time of peace Cen
temen would admit that they might prepare for carrying
on war when was upon them, though the constitution
did not say If they could do this, why. he asked
could they not, by good right clear rivers and make
roads on which to transport forces in time of peace!
But he understood the President to maintain that they
had no power to aid commerce by Improvement. Now,
he would ask the President by what power he could erect
light house for the convenience Of the mariner! If
they could erect lighthouses who should tell him that
thsy Soad not. oy me same power clear out rock upon
away .
that body in relation to the death OF the Hon JESSE
SpEIGHT late senator in Congress from the State of
Mississippi.
TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY SENATOR spEIcHT
Mr.. JACOB THOMPSON rose and made the follow
ing remarks
Mr. SPEAKER: The message just received from the SEN
the melancholy fact that since the ad
jounmen Of that body last spring, another Of its members
has fallen asleep to wake no more JESSE SrEIaHr late
member from Mississippi is no longer numbered with the
living. Death has been moving amidst ranks and has
thrown his sable mantle the distinguished
of the country Elevated station, personal virtues the a
fiction of family and friends. the confidence of consttu
ents, and the active and jealous discharge Of all the duties
of f could shield him from submission to that law
which governs our race, that it is appointed man
die"
Gen. SrEcHT, my late colleague and friend was no ori
nary passing over the stage of life unnoticed and
leaving, when the curtain falls, recollection behind to
distinguish him among the millions who had gone before
him. The features Of his character striking and pec
liar His superior stature singled him among fellow
men, and commanded universal respect His advantage Of
person, united with strong natural mind, uny ieldng
integrity and benignant heart, the key that un
varied success which attended him through all his aspra
tons hrou ghout his whole And the records of
his country must to know the history of his fe
He was born in the State Of North Carolina Withou,
advantages, and with deficient early education he first
appeared in public life in the legislature of that State and
being elected Speaker ofhe State Senate From this posi-
ton in 1929 he the House of Of the
United States in which capacity he served his country
with great ZEAL industry and fidelity for six years 1895
he was elected delegate the convention then called in
of North Carolina for the evsa of constitu
There the extension of the right of suffrage and re
gous liberation became the leading topics of discussion in
which he bore conspicuous part the advocate of the
largest liberty Of the citizen in the freedom of conscience
and in the exercise of political power
Thus having been honored by the State of his nativity
and having served her people with fidelity and efficiency
it was difficult and trial the ties which
bound him his constituents But prompted by desire
to provide for his household and invited by prolific
SOIL the genial climate, and rich productions Missi
he became citizen of that State in 1887 But in this land
of his adoption he found himself surrounded by ar
friends who eager do him honor and in 1899
he elected the legislature and became Speaker of
the House of Representatives In 1871 he returned TO
the State Senate, and elected the president of thai
body In this office he continued till in IS46 he was elect
ed the Senate of the United Satesa position second in
dignity and importance, and in the public consideration
only to the Chief Executive Of this government He took
his seat in that body in March, l845 and industry
had ever marked his public man, were
here exhibited. In the active discharge Of his du
ties in this station the hand of Disease was laid
upon him; but his strong frame and robust constitu
apparently triumphed the first assaults of the
enemy; and after weeks Of patient suffering far re-
covered his residence in Mississippi where
surrounded by afectionate family and sympatbzinp
friends obeyed his final on the LIST Of May
l8n
An aching void" hns been left in the large circle which
revoved around him its CENTRE and which be filed