The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-06

ton to provide for ''the contingencies which should
arise in the country after them" The amendatory clause
the instrument supposed to accomplish this very
object And Mr. Webster will excuse us If we attach
more weight to the wisdom and sagacy of such men as
George Clinton and James Madison than to himself
When George Clinton the venerable Vice President of the
United States gave his casting vote against the renewal
of the charter OF the first Bank of the United States on
the Goth February. 1871, he thus expressed himself;
In the of long life have found that govern
ment not be strengthened by assumption of doubtful
poeers' but by wise and energetic execution of those
which are inconieble the former fails produce
suspicion and dsus whilst the latter inspires respect and
confidence H. however after fair experiment, the pow
the attainment OF The objects for which instituted
the esa b. a"na ay aG'S sv err ,s~dy"
trenf or on appeal 10 the patriotism and good of
community, It rcH be 'cisely aryiied'
MIR. Madison bore witness to the same doctrine, when
ON the last day OF his administrations Con the Sd of
March, 1919 he gave to his country his celebrated
veto the bank bonus bl-a bill which set apart the
bonus and dividends OF the new bank to the laying of
foundation for grand system of internal improvements
In this message he overthrows Mr. Websters argument
founded the power to regulate commerce among the
several States and shows the same time in what man
the fathers of the constitution of which he was the
most distinguished, understood the work of their own
hands,
"Having considered the bill this day presented to me
Internal mpovemen pad Which se,s ,narl and n o
funds FOR constructing roads and canals and improving the
navigation Of courses in order nte promote
and give security internal among the several
States, and to render and less expensive the
strained by the insuperabe difficulty feel in reconcing
the bill with the constitution of the United States
it, with that objection TO the House o Representatives in
| which ii originated.
The legislative powers vested in Congress are specified
and enumerated in the 9th section of the first article of the
constitution and tdoes not appear that the power proposed
to be exercised by the bill is among the enumerated pow
power laws necessary and proper for carrying into
those other powers vested by the constitution
| in the government of the United States.
The power to regulate commerce among the several
States cannot include power to construct roads and
order facilitate promote, and such commerce,
without latitude OF construction departing from the odi-
conveniences which, doubtless led the grant of this
medal power Congress To the power question
the clause to provide for the defence and gener-
al welfare, would be contrary the established and
sistent rules of interpretation rendering the special and
gatoy and improper. Such view of the constitution
would have the effect of giving Congress general pow
hitherto understood to belong to themhe terms common
defence and general welfare embracing object and
act within the purvew of legislative trust"
81 am not unaware of the great importance of roads and
canals, and the improved navigation of and
that power in the national legislature to provide for them
prosperity. But seeing that such power is expressly
given by the constitutions and believing it cannot be de-
duced from any part of without inadmssable latitude
of construction and reliance insufficient pecedents
believing ao that the permanent success OF the constu
ton depends definite partition of powers between the
general and the State governments and that adequate
landmarks would be left by extension
the powers of Congress- proposed in the bill, have
option but withhold my signature from cherishing
hope that its beneficial objects be attained by
tor the necessary powers to the same wisdom and virtue
in the nation which established the constitution actn
al form, and provdenty marked out, in the instrument
self, safe and practicable mode of improving it expert
| ence might suggest"
These the true and republican views OF the con
stution, and not the ultra federal views of Mr. Web
ster, who will in vain preach up to enlightened south
en ears the heresies which he has been propagatng
| the north and in the Senate for SO many years