Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-07-20
DECLARATION OF SENTIMENTS.
.nopren nv TIE CHICAGO CONVENTION.

1. That the Constitution Of The United States
was formed by practical men, for practical pur.
poses. declared in It's p!eamble-"To provide Tor
The common defence, 10 promote the general wei
fare. and to secure the blessings OF liberty; and
was mainly designed 10 create government
whose functions should and would be adequate 10
he protection Of the common interests OF oil The
States. or of Two or more Of lhem which could
mol be maintained by the action Of The separated
States. That in strict accordance win ms op'
iec,. The revenues derived from commerce we're
Surrendered 10 The general government. win me
esnrcss understanding that hey should he applied
10 ihe promotion oil these common interests.
, That among these common interest. an! Oh.
;,cls werc-ls. Foreign commerce, 10 The regu-
la,ion OF which the powers OF The States several
" were contessciy inadequate; and "a. Internal
trade and navigation, wherever Inc concurrence
n l;yo or more States was necessary to lis pre-
seryation. or where the expense OF lis mamie
nance should be eQuitaby borne BY Two or more
States. and where, Of course those STATES must
necessarily have voice in its regulations and
hence resulted The constitutional grant OF power
10 Copsress--"to regulate commerce with ioieign
nations and among he Sales"
3. That being thus possessed both OF Inc means
and of the power which we're denied 10 Inc States
respectively, Congress became obligated oy every
consideration Of good faith and common justice
IN cherish and increase both kinds OF commerce
thus committed TO It's care, BY expanding ana OK,
lending the means OF conducting Them, and oil
.ffordinc them all those facilities and all that pro-
lection which the states individually would have
Afforded had the revenue and the authority been
left 10 them.
4. Thatlhis obligation has ever been recognis,,
ed from The foundation of The government and
has been fulfilled partially by erecting lighthouses,
hnilding piers for harbors, break waters ana sea
wall, removing distractions in rivers and pro.
vid;no other facilities for The commerce carried
IN from the ports Of the Atlantic COAST and the
same obligations have been fulfilled 10 mucn
less extent in providing for commerce among
the States" and The principle has been most EN-
pbalIcally acknowledged to embrace The western
lakes and rivers, BY appropriationslor numerous
lighthouses upon them, which appropriations
have never been questioned IN Congress as want
ing constitutional authority.
That thus. by series OF acts which have
received The sanction of The people OF the United
States, and OF every department! OF the Federal 60
rernmen, under all administrations, the common
understanding OF The intent and objects OF The
trainers OF The constitution in granting 10 Con-
eress the power 10 regulate commerce. has been
manifested and has been confirmed by be people,
and this understanding has become as mucn
part Of that instrument as any one OF It's mos
explicit, provisions. ;.
6. That the power ITO regulate commerce WIN
foreign nations, and among The States, ana WIN
the Indian tribes" is on It's lace so pa'paoiy ap
plicabe in its whole extent 70 eacn OF ne suoec's
enumerated equally and in Inc same mannef
render na ns hs 20 % ssse wao ' ADMIT he
r ,ia anulicarion Of The power 20 Foreign
commerce, by facilitating and protecting its ope
ratons, by improving harbors and clearing ou
navioabIs rivers, cannot consistently deny that II
eonaIIy authorizes similar facilities 10 "Com
merce among The States"
J. That "Foreiga Commerce" is dependa!n
mon internal trade for The distribution OF III