Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-08-05

simply embodied certain constitutional TRUTHS hch sup
ported the claims Of the upon the national govern
men for the improvement OF her harbors and rivers.
The committee hoped that the series of resolutions
mite in adopting and rely upon containing truths in
dispuiable ia themselves and such would IN
nsnre upon Congress sufficient to produce satisfactory
results
lie would say in conclusion that every resolution had
been adopted with perfect unanmiiy, and without dis
senIIng voice om beginning TO end
The resolutions or declarations we have already
published.
The President remarked that he would not take The
question upon tie adoption of the resolutions until after
remarks from the Hon. John G. Spencer OF New
York, ga their support and eucdation-
We make the following extract from Dir. Spencer
remarks, illustrative of the reasons presented by
him in support of the resolutions
The great question upon which are consulting, and
for which have what objects and purposes,
and Cor what kind Of improvement can The general gov
eminent lend ITS corporation and aid
II IS upon ih.s question that divided, and from
want of nice discrimination between what should be
asked and what should be- given, some OF Us have con-
founded aud words, and Is upon these we are at
issue more than upon things,
Yonr have endeavored to place all upon
common grounds, on which our united and unanimous
voices 90 forth the land, through ITS whole ex-
tent, and with unimpared influence.
There is not IN these resolutions one solitary word IN
opposition the provisions of the Constitution, and your
committee claim least, that they have not gone be-
yOnd that instrument
Another position presented by your committee u.s. that
the of the United States has itself claimed
jurisdiction ever your lakes: that II has power under The
Constitution build light houses and prepare harbors for
shelter. IL extends its jurisdiction the lakes Tor pr-
poses of revenue. THIS it true, did not come under
The clause regulate commerce. but they require all
vessels STEAMBOATS, &c, be periodically examined
II be shown from whence this power comes, If IL
be under the provisions regulate commerce. Cow
taken -shall IL stop short, and say has no nrls-
dciIon in the maer-under those circumstances can II
deny that exercises lis power exigences Direct and
prudence requires.
Government also claims authority these lakes in the
of naves aud harbors the Of war
between Is aud Great Britain
IL snOt clear that the general government has power I'M
der the clause of the constitution for the regulation OF
commerce, and not his (Mr. Spencer) assertion al
the of his remarks, that they con-
founded upon aud words, rather than differing
about irue'
Was there one in tins vast assembage who ever heard
the constitutional power of government questioned Tor
establishing lighthouses along the lakes! There was
yet he deed any put his finger upon any
authority under which they possessed this power except
under tins very clause for the regulation of commerce
We say government, you have taken step, yes,
duzen steps, and you have right TO arrest your pro-
gress.
Mr. Gardiner Of Troy New York, was then called
for He spoke of The resolutions precursors 10 other
resolutions when Congress should be duplicated TO
rabIs rail road from Chicago the shores of tile Pa
ciic
d. ID Field congratulated the convention that the reso-
lutons would bring the convention upon common ground
lie had little fault find with them; they had his cor
dial assent and affirmed precisely what he himself had
affirmed in the morning, that tie seabOard aud inland
under the category for constitutional ac-
ton. He had, however, desire offer amendment
to the 9th resolution, 10y moving TO strike out the last
clause and would therefore the question 10 be taken
upon the resolutions separately.
MIR Fenno moved that all be passed at once except the
resolution objected 10 by Mr. Field.
Judge Thomas made bret address ia support OF the
unanimous passage of the resolutions.
The resolutions then passed Seridtim and with
out opposition except to the 5h which, however, wa,
unavaing aud The whole Report of the Committee
adopted as the voice oG the Convention.