The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-07
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 4, Is47.


s.Internai Improv.ments.-The Chicago Convention"
'There is but one safe rule, and that conine the
general government gidy within the sphere of its appro-
PIRATE aes."-General Jackson's Fareoel address.
There is no safer guide than the constitution itself
and the only safe rule for its Interpretation s to exercise
no power but what ii coners an end or as proper
and necessary means; and il more power be wanting,
then to obtain it. according to the provisions OF the cons
tuition from the parties to the compact If this principle
deserves TO be placed among ''the anquhess or ab-
stractions" which the National lntegencer condemns
then we frankly plead guilty to the charge OF reylvlnglt
But this principle is not obsolete, nor is the objection
which is deduced from it, to national system OF inter
ernal improvements to be classed among antiquities or
distractions
The resolutions of the Chicago convention will not
silence either discussion opposition. They Will be
brought at last to the ouchstone of the constitution itself
We do not propose expaate at this time upon the con-
stuonality or expediency OF national system OF inter-
nal improvements We contne ourselves TO few short
views of the matter-conirmed by the opinions OF men
who are far better entitled to the name of defenders OF
the constitution" than ever Mr.. Webster is likely to
prove himself.
The National Intelligencer rebukes our discretion in
adopting the opinions OF Mr. Webster he text OF our
ucubratons" 1t is true when spoke of his opinions
we had his brief letter. only before But his other long
and elaborate letter has since been published and
now more confirmed objections to his heresies The
last letter unfods the germ of usurpation which was Wis
ble in his first There to be no bound to the
power which he claims. He claims ct that Congress
has power clear out distractions from all rivers suited
the purposes of commerce. foreign or domestic, and to
improve their navigation and utility, by appropriations
from the treasury of the United States He contends that
" if instead of clearing out the rocks, and in that manner
improving the channel OF river, 1t is found better to
make canal around falls which are in it, have no
doubt whatever OF the power OF Congress to construct
such canal" In fine, he is OF opinion that Congress
does conshutlonay possess the power OF establishing
lighthouses buoys, beacons PIERS breakwaters and har
bors the ocean, the gulf the lakes and the navgable
rivers; that does consutionaly possess the power Of
improving the great rivers OF the country, clearing out
their channels, by deepening them or removing obsruc
TONS in order to render navigation upon them safe
for life and property and that for the reason, Con-
gress may construct canals around falls in rivers, in all
necessary All this authority, in (his) opinion,
flows from the power commerce, foreign and do
nestle conferred Congress by the constitution" He
contends that it is not question of Locations it is ques
ton of public Importance )" that is whatever is import
| ant in regulating commerce with foreign nations and
among the several Satesp Upon this same principle,
there limit to Mr. Websers system of improvement
| He might connect river to river by canals He might
make roads of all sorts and the whole territory OF
the States with railroads, because the plea might be
that they promote the commerce from State to
another We see conceivable limit to this
power, which jurst OF his ingenuity would not be
ready to overcap. He might well adopt at once
the doctrine of the general welfare, carry the mean
ing of the regulation" OF commerce to unlimited
and discretionary extent internal Improvements
1t is, however, principally upon the clause to regulate
commerce among the several States that he erects his
lever and, this course, he is followed by the resou
tons of the Chicago convention by Mr. Reverdy John
son in his recent letter, by the National Integencer
and indeed by most of the faithful followers of the wing
party.
To CIRCULATE commerce. is thing-to facilitate the
prosecution of commerce is another Laws for the regu-
iation of commerce with foreign countries or between
the States, in every volume of the statute book
There is not session of Congress that passes away
without the enactment OF law which is intended to
regulate it, But this very different thing from i'm
proving river making roads, cutting canals, creating
vessels the vehicles of commercial intercourse
If the power to regulate commerce carries along with it
as necessary incident, the making of canals as Mr.
Webster contends, it is extraordinary, when a PROPOSE
ton was made September 14th 1897, in the federal
convention TO convey the power, in conncxion with
post-roads," "to provide for cutting canals, where
deemed necessary" and also o grant charters of ncor-
poraion"-both which powers refused by HE con-
venon-that some did not rise and say, ''Why ask
the power to cut canals, since is already granted in the
power to regulate commerce :" No such remark ever
escaped the members of the convention 1t never was
dreamed of at the time In fact, Mr. Websters doc ne
is "the construction" 1t is the modern interpola
ton upon the constitution; certainly not the cotempo-
rancous exposition The doctrines for which the repub-
cans contend, in the days of Jefferson and Madison
agree with the history, and theory and true principles OF
the constitution
Assertion is not argument Those who claim a gem
era power TO enter the territory of the States, and i'm
prove their rivers because Congress has power o
late among foreign naons, are yet TO bring
forward their proofs, TO overthrow many champions,
and many objections. But the next step OF
the process is still more dcut and, if 1t be admitted,
is still more important in its consequences They argue
from the power of regulating commerce with foreign ma
tions that Congress has right TO extend commerce
among the several States by any means which may be
expedient convenient for extending -by improve
ments of the interior rversby canas-and why not BY
railroads. without any limit?
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