The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-27
Relief OF Ireland.


We rejoice 10 the sympathetic and generops sn;;,
which animaes every section of country in relation
to the noble and suffering of Ireland Almost everv
paper teens with the meetings which have been held
ana the contributions which are pouring for their re-
hei hailroad companies suspend their tolls on the
transportation OF breadstus intended for their con-
sumption. State legislatures are entering into the
most animated resolutions. The purses of indvid
uals are opened for their relief Meetings are called
| IN towns, villages, and country places in most of
the States Thousands of dollars are about to be devoted
to the sending OF supplies This is spectacle which is
worthy OF our country and il speaks with most touch
ing pathos OF the deep sympathy which the citizens of
America entertain for of the finest people, on whom
| the sun ever shone-who have produced some of the
choicest spirits and some of the most brilliant men
who have ever graced the world. Unfortunately their
political institutions do not correspond to their high
deserts The system of absentees of itself operates as
tremendous incubus upon the Green Island-wasting
away her resources, and carrying off her wealth to feed
the extravagant Injuries OF her landed propretors in
other countries
we can scarcely take up newspaper which does
some interesting evidence of the sympathy of our
citizens for thu people OF Ireland And lament that
for flew days. columns have been so much crowded
with the proceedings OF Congress- that have not been
able to expatiate on the numerous details which
eyes We shall hasten to repair this omission as soon as
possible
II there Were any people upon the face of the globe for
whom we would be happy to see our countrymen pour.
ing out their ample resources is the people of Ireland
we trust the humanity OF the Americans will not pause
with what they have freely accomplished Let the
good work go on until have efectuay administered
to their relief Individuals should contribute their means
The States should freely assist the noble work
but we regret to say, that we cannot call for the
federal government to inerpose its good Offices in
their behalf. Ten days ago. we deemed it our dutv
to state to an eloquent correspondent that we could
not see any power in the constitution which au-
horzes Congress to contribute the general funds for their
relief They have no powers under the constitution TO es-
ablsh poor law, and far can see no power TO
relleve the unfortunate poor of land Whence
then, do they derive their power to contribute half
million to the suffering people of foreign country?
1t was our misfortune, years ago, TO differ with
some OF our friends upon the appropriation of fifty odd
thousand dollars to the people of Venezuela in the
midst OF the runs OF an earthquake That act
has formed the precedent and the argument in favor
of the assumption of other powers which transcend
the specified grants of limited constitution Precedent
therefore, cannot change original views upon this
subject Our sympathy with her noble suffering people
should not msead us into any violation of our own consti
tuition Not even the eloquence of Messrs Crttenden
and Cass much as we disposed to admire it, ought
to bewder our judgment But there are other means of
raising contributions. There other channels for OBJ
tanning relief The States and the people able to fur
nish it, and TO these resources we freely and boldly an
peal.
This ground, we understand, is much the same which
was taken yesterday in the debate, in his own bold and
manly manner by Governor Fairfield He declared that
none OF the gentlemen could venture to lay their finger
upon the clause of the constitution whish gave such
power We learn, since writing the above, that Mr..
Mason OF Virginia, took similar position in this even
ing's debate