The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-02
CONGRESSIONAL,
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 81, 1917.
CONTINUED from SaiurdaIs " Union."l
BILL FOR THE RELIEF OF IRELAND.

lConf'nued from Saturdays" Union."l
BILL FOR THE RELIEF OF IRELAND
Mr. FAIRFIELD SAID IT was assuming no enyable at
ttude TO appear unfrendy measure designed for the
reef OF nose who were suffering for the want of bread
naDe as sucn course was to mlsconstruction. Yet he
could mol refrain from taking that position in reference to
this BILL let the consequences be what thew might He
felt mpeled TO by his regard for principle by his regard
Tor the oath administered to him when he took his seat in
that body In his sympathies for the poor Irish and will
lngness to aid them by contributing his own slender
means he trusted he far behind other members
of the Senate but he could permit his generous i'm
pulses 70 blind his Judgment and lead him to Disregard his
solemn obligations to support the constitution. 1t was
an y natter to be generous, and togive beautifully
iron money or means not our The world would
be full OF charitable people if they could satisfy claims
upon their bounty by putting their hands into the
OF another That was very cheap sort OF benevoence
and would constitute, he thought a very small item in
the great moral account The money the treasury
not oursit belonged the people whose servants and
agents were. We had right to appropriate it
to purposes not contemplated by the constitution than we
had; as private individuals, to lay hands upon the
property of our neghbors 1t raised by indirect tax
alton of the people to defray the expenses of govern
men and to carry with foreign power
and where did we get the right to appropriate it
TO any other purpose The people were their own best
amoners, and would not IN his opinion, thank Justify
us for assuming that relation TO them. Wherever we
turned eyes we behed the peope-the whole people
men, women, and children contributing with lavish
hand to relieve their suffering brethren the ocean
The amount OF those contributions would be very large
far beyond, he thought, what many anticipating
But large or SMALL II was what the people chose to
gve OF the extent of their and of their moral
obligations in this respect, they the only proper
judges We had right to Judge for them, and still less
TO violate our trust by applying money placed in
hands for purpose, to another and totally different
purpose The suerngs OF the Irish had been presented
to us in all the vvdness which feeling and eloquense
can well portray. Our sympahies were deeply excl
ted, and all fell laudable impulse to do what could
to extend relief. But all the considerations that had
been urged addressed themselves to personally us
men and individuals and not senators, II was
little remarkable that while all admit that this govern
ment is one of delegated powers-Congress having the
power to do that and that only, which the constitution
authorizes, and the friends of this knowing that
constitutional scupes were entertained by some this
side of the chamber of them has vet attempted to
put his finger upon the provision of the constitution which
authorizes it. If such power existed in the constu-
ton, surely could not be difficult TO point It out But
one ventured to make such attempt. The inference
irresistible It had been said, to be sure that some
thirty years ago Congress made similar appropriation
for the benefit OF the sufferers by an earthquake at Ca
raccas That was true, but could single isolated
like that affect the constitutions "A long and unin-
teupted couSso of Legislation in matter of doubtful
authority, may often be regarded as practical con-
strucon OF the constitution adopted and by the
people, who above the constituion--especiay
where the early Legislation nearly cotemporaneous
with the adoption OF that sacred instrument But surely
such authority could be invoked for single bad pre-
cedent II had also been said that this measure was no
more % constitutional obiections than the IesoIu-
ton which he had Ne honor TO Introduce Authorizing
the of public ship Tor the transportation OF
provisions to Ireland He thought there was manifest
distinction. One involved transfer of property, the
other did not One passed the title, the other permitted
the use Congress had power TO give away the money
or property Of tine people to has'ow gutousyh for
The mere use Of ship involved no such power aavv
was provided or-or rather It's existence was recovr'-
BY lie constitution, but moi tho mode Of ns' se sea
he had proposed reaurd no greater stretch Of sp Us
ne haa sa.Ie other day, than it weuid 10 pemt ,n a"
charitable or literary society to hold meeting in III;
hall The public money had BEEN for series Of wears
This Gishl have been nexpedient and nudicious' bn
who ever heard ITS constltutonay questioned? To his
mind the distinction was ,a!pabe, and so long rs he en-
leained the views 70 then did, he could not vote for
such a measure as that now proposed, however any
ious he was to see ample relief extended 10 their sui
ie.ng brethren across the ocean The conclusions to
which he had come adversely to this BILL were strength
ened by reference to the present condition Of The treas
ury and the extraordinary demands that will he made
upon 4 m consequence OF the war We were not in a
condition to make such graity, even if there were no
Constitutional mpedments in the way and, for one he
could not but regard the passage OF the bill not only as
clearly unconstitutional, but, under the circumstances
emiRenty unwise and ndiscee Nor was il one of the
least alarming signs OF the times when rigid construction
lists and latudlnarlas, wings and democras-when all
shades of politics were combining to carry ayorte
measure in the face, not merely Of strong expediencv
but OF all constitutional restraints. God grant that its
fepeuton may DC as iar removed from this, as this
Mr.. EAGBY said: am not disposed to plead specially
10 measure, which do my honorable friend from Ken
lucky the full justice to admit originated in the generous
impulses Of noble and generous heart take the
ground boldly and at once that this measure is at this
time, not only nexpedent, but without the authority of
the constitution No one feels more strongly, or synpa-
hizes deeply with the suffering people of Ireland,
and with the cause OF suffering humanity everywhere
than myself: My own feelings assure me that if had
thepower would relieve the wants Of hunger and
kedhess and whisper peace to those that are in trouble
throughout the world But this is task delightful as it
would be, not allotted to me or to any one man. Your
own generous heart, Mr. President, reminds you how
painful the encounter is when the stern mandates of sa
cred and nhexbe duty come in the way of the high and
generous impulses OF nature reused to action the
of suffering humanity-by the cries of whole ma
ton starving for bread And men, should be the last
to afx limits to our charities, to circumscrbe the
bounds of our benevolence But in my capacity here
have power to egsate against the effects of fam
in Ireland than have to legislae against the effects of
that cruel and unjust system OF governmental oppression
under which she has so long suffered No more mower to
legsate for the relief of the suffering people of that unhap-
py and Inflated country than for their defence and protec
ton Sir OF all the evils that waylay the path Of life hun
ger is the most appalling. 1t is hat and that alone
which renders insenshle TO the divinity that stirs
within him, and reduces han TO the level of mere ami
NAL II is in such a that we see poor miserable
human nature as it is This reflection should teach us
what we and what infinite obligations are under
to Him who has favored and blessed us above the rest
of the nations, and to those immortal ancestors who have
conferred upon us the rich and countless social and poll
teal privileges and blessings we enjoy. / admit that
this is the strongest that could possibly be presented
1t is the case OF people celebrated for their valor and
genius, and above all for humanity and benevolence--a
people whose hearts open day to melting charity
and people, too, who, have been prosecuted and
oppressed through the wild waste of centuries that
past, and who threatened with the emaciated
the on one side, and it the strongest that could
address itself 10 the human UNDERSTANDING appeal TO