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


the stand by the Convention; and though we do not
assent TO every position in full, taken by him, we
think his remarks worthy Of the consideration Of
readers. Mr.. Andrew Stewart of Pennsylr ania, had
just preceded him in speech. in which he had spO-
ken Of the power Of the general government to Ike
rads, canals and harbOrs and TO open rivers as not
subject to any restriction Under the constitution.
Mr. Field had expected be called upon speak,
except IN references 1" resolutions, which he believed
We're iD be offered La the convention lie had come here
good faith curry the legitimate objects OF this
eonvoealion. lie ready TO do now, but further
than that, he ready advance single step He
could assure then, Il they prepared To support the
llItudnnus Just promulgated and advocated by
The genIleman who had preceded him. the questions
which should command The attention Of the convention
would merge into party issues, aud engender party
strife. lie had himself doubt that inland lakes
and rivers well bnad, included in the
category under the clause IN the constitution pTOyI
ding for the regulation of But there he stop
ped aud denied that the general government had
right 10 put hands into the public treasury and hand
nuuey wherever aud whenever harbOr Is wanted
in some seclun of the country.
lie desired To- explain what he conceived to be the
powers Of Tire constitution in relation these subjects
There two clauses ia the constitution which he would
repeat
Isl Congress shall have power to collect taxes duties
and imports, and To promote the general wrare, &c
81 Congress shall have power regulate commerce,
freisn naiions between the several states aud
among the Indian tribes.
He believed the constitutional power under which they
act contained in the first of these clauses,
under the head of TO promote the general welfare, and
not many To think under the second. The con
stution invested certain powers in Congress, To levy
taxes, establish post roads &c For such legitimate pur-
poses these, Congress had power 10 raise money IL
the West desire appropriations let them look TO The con-
sluiion If gives them power, then they will receive
appropriations. If it does give them power then
they ought not, and would not receive them
Give Congress unlimited authority To- levy taxes, I'M
posts, &c, and to disburse money when and where
pleases, and grant them much He was opposed
to this absolute control.
lie desired to speak of the second clause he had re-
pealed Congress has power regulate with
foreign nations, between the several States aud among
Indian tribes Recollect the power is given To resn-
late, create Here wide difference What
the meaning of the regulate commerce! Is II To
establish laws and rules determine when where and
by whom IL be carried on No farther. If grant
ed The power gentlemen would claim, 1t would give
Congress authority buy up all the wheat, corn and
other grain the country, and thus, whenever 1t chose
10 cunrol the market
admit the constitution has power pass all laws
eesary and proper carry INTO effect other laws Well
what laws wanted to carry into effect the law TO re-
gulale cOmmercel You want laws directing that light
houses shall be built along your shores buoys placed
where 1t Is necessary, and distractions removed All
these necessary regulate commerce. but these laws
might make IL constitutional for the general govern
grant appropriations To build arbOrs where there
Do they YES yes, from the crowd IL
that ground j. claimed, he Tor would not 60 with
them. They claimed than their right or Que.
Government had right under the provisions OF tins
clause of the constitution to create new commerce.
Ii evident that there a large majority here Of
way of thinking but lie could tell gentlemen there
people " no not here, who also hiRk and
it well for them be and prudent in their
proceedings.
IL not right that government like the ancient
pOenlares Of the old world should order harbors be
scooped wherever aud whenever they choose; thus
making wherever IT might suit IIs peasuTe.
Such powers these belonged exclusively To State
horily II did not belong la the government except IN
A voice from the crowd required Mr. Fields opinion
whether government had right improve the Illinois
river.
Yes the Illinois river runs through Staes-(no,
ma augh) IL Is not 10 be expected that an entire
stranger would know The whole geography of your State
he would saw If the Illinois river bears lis bosom
only the commerce of Illinois, then government has
right NEEDLE with il, for the clause says among the
States, not IN a State "a voice, ''nO distractions lie
asked If he dealing in abs acons-well, their fore
fathers shed their blood the fields of the Revolution
for abstraction, preamble and now the wings OF our
eagle stretch from the Arctic 10 the Antarctic, and shade
hemisphere.
lie told gentlemen that they had heard his senti-
ments aud he believed that the greater portion Of their
common country with HIM in maintaining strict
construction Of the constIuon-and they were not To be
driven, choked, or compelled in any way from what
they believed TO be the ground
There much excitement ut this time IN the con-
veniInn, and strong desire eyInced To have MIR. Field
take his seat but that gentleman with commendable
eTsy and dignity, maintained his place
lie said that he had appeared upon that stand at
his desire; he there IN a call of the
convention and he doubted he would be permitted
his remarks. He wished be understood. IL his
opinion that government had lust clear right To build
a break water in Lake Michigan, in Delaware Bay,
hut they had right be continually scoopins
arburs in all parts of the county, wherever local feel
ing might desire one to be made
CA voice, Has government jurisdiction Hudson
River p
Yes up to the head Of navigation.
"a voice. can the government clear out the Ohio ,
Yes for il through "A dozen States.
They had been told that the valley Of the Mississippi
be the ruler of the republic. That If government
would grant, they would be able demand and
TAX. The very fact that this mighty valley rule
the republic, makes very important that the West
should guard with strict justice the rights of the
whole country unless il does, what will eventually be-
at The small State of New York, and the still
smaller New England States:
The world is watching for the solution Of the problem
solving this Western continent. whether our
free institutions be sustained or not No believes
that government could last ten years a
sOlIdated liz free and independent
State soveregnties which stand like eternal barriers
check assumption and repe aggression They know lit
tie of history, who think that great government
ing from the Atlantic the Pacific, can be governed and
controlled by anything but emperor and his satraps
unless tire reserved rights of the States firmly guard
ed aud the constitutional guarantees constantly main
tanned.
When foretathers down in Philadelphia, under
The presidency of the father OF his couniry they enacted
such laws they deemed necessary for the preservation
OF this country leaving other regulations for
the action of the several They have made such
regulations, and let stand by the constitution.
SO long YOU cherish good faith towards of the
east, shall feel SAFE because you have not the
power nJure u.s. but because have the right
The time will when Illinois will he as anxious
guard against IhracOns of the CONSTITUTIONS Massa-
chusetts Virginia IS Lay down the rules now by