The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-16

interests connected with the internal navigation of the
west receive at the hands of the general government
their full share OF encouragement and protection, in so
far as such measures of internal Improvement be
clearly shown TO be warranted by the provisions of the
constitution, and also by the of the objects to
which they are directed, But we have always held and
we still hold, that this power of Internal improvements
by the general government, when construed most
strictly and applied most wisely, is at best only i'm
piled and doubtful power 1t must be raised, in the first
place, by constructions and when raised, it is Pc
cuarly liable TO most dangerous extension and abuse.
These considerations would appear strongly to indicate
the proprety if the exercise of such power by the fed
era government is deemed necessary, of amending the
constitution to confer it, in express terms, upon Con-
gress, with due limitations to its objects, proper re-
strcons as to its exercise and sufficient guards against
its abuse
This idea of amending the constitution with refer
to the power of internal improvements has, as we
have already shown received the sanction of Jefferson,
OF Madison and OF many other of most distinguished
democratic statesmen The necessity of such amend
ment, if Congress is to exercise the power in question,
in order TO prevent it from being unwisey and improperly
applied, TO be clearly enough recognised in the
recent letters of Messrs Wright and Benton, in which
those gentlemen express great difficulty in fixing upon
any practical rule of legislation the subject which
shall satisfy the existing spirit and provisions of the
constitution. But the following letter from Mr. Webster,
recently written to the convention, shows conclu-
svely than any other document which we have lately
seen, the fatal facility of abuse in the construction
and exercise of this power by Congress- and the
quent necessity OF guarding it fully against such
version. Mr. Webster in this letter deduces the power
of internal improvements from the power to regulate
commerce So deduced, it s, in his judgment, absolutely
unlimited in its application, by the discretion OF
Congress" He adds indeed that it is limited also by
the importance of each particular subject" to which
may be applied But plainly this importance of the
subject" is also to be determined exclusively by the
discretion of Congress- That discretion, therefore,
in his Judgment the only practical limit to the exercise OF
the power In other words its exercise has, in his opn
ion, no constitutional limit at ALL With great Difference
to Mr. Websters learned judgment in this matter, we
affirm that this has not been understood from the be-
ginning by the wsest and best men who have been
concerned in the administration of the government"
We have recently published the opinions and the official
acts of the most eminent and distinguished OF American
statesmen, Numerically opposed to such construction
the constitution We do not deem it necessary
peat them here MIR. Websters strong inclination to-
wards implied powers and atitudinaran construction,
is notorious. But confess that hardly pre-
pared to hear even from him. that the federal government
possessed apower of internal improvements general
and unlimited to be absolutely without any constu-
tiona check or restriction upon its exercise. Such
amendment of the constitution to regulate its exercise and
guard it against the grossest abuses But will de-
tain readers longer from Mr.. Websters letter.
MARsHFIELD, June rs, 1S47.
GENTLEMEN am quite obliged you for your very kind
and respectful letter. addressed Nashville, inviting
me to attend the Chicago Convention. If my health had
allowed me to continue the journey which l then
prosecuting it would have brought into the northwest
time have been with you the lst of Juy but being
compelled by illness abandon the purpose of getting
the mountains, it OF course not in my power to attend
the convention.
You speak, gentlemen, in too much commentator,
fear of my efforts in the of internal and western inn
provement only say that these efforts have been
earnest longcontinued and made for the single desire OF
promoting the great interests of the country OF the power
of the make appropriations for erecting har-
bors and clearing rivers never entertained particle OF
doubt This power, in my Judgment is not partial limit
ed obscure applicable and not applicable to
others, States and not Others rivers and
others, have been the opinion of gentle
men connected with the Memphis Convention.
For one reject all such far-feched and unnatural dis
tinctions In my opinion, the authority of the government
in this respect directly the grant of the commercial
the beginning by the wises and best who have been
concerned in the administration of the government, and is
consequently general, and limited only by the importance
of particular subject, and the discretion of Congress
Hope the may do much good, by enforcing
the necessity Of exercising these just of the
ment. There inventions conSructions
or qualifications of the constitutional power be resoricd
to there political path to be struck out 1t is
simply for the people whether prejudccs party pre-
possessions and party opposition, shall at length give way
fair reasoning, precedent and experience, to the ud
ment of the great who have gone before us, and
those considerations of public interest which
imperativeIy call Congress to do its duty.
am, gentlemen, with much regard, your obliged friend
and follow-citizen, DANIEL WEBSTER.
In speaking of the proceedings of the late Chicago
vention the Washington correspondent of the Baltimore
Sun remarks:
"1here is disposition to make invidous comments
upon characters of the received by the
venon from prominent political men, The convention ap
pears converted themselves into of political
trap catch The unwary politician.
" What right had the convention expect that General
Cass would commit himself before them this subject
well known, however, that General Cass is in favor OF
improving the harbors and the navigation of the lakes and
of the west but he may be willing enter into
log-roing scheme for indiscrinnae expenditures or
these objects"
point of fact, so far as appears Gen Casss OPINION
was not asked in respect the purposes for which the
convention met He was merely invited TO attend that
body; and because in giving his reasons why he should
be unable TO be present its deliberations he did no,
think Fl, IN state his views on the whole subject matter