The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-17

IL was read, "a general and spontaneous cheer burs
iorh IN honor OF the writer, from the tstole assembled
multitude so entirely acceptable pere s doctrines TO thai
multitude" We trust there is some inaccuracy in this
statement, and that the writer has mistaken the loud
cheers OF the few for the applause of the whole assembly
or as the ALBANY Atlas" states 1T will be seen that
mat great constitutional expounder is not merely attud.
marian In his views, but is llimabe finding in the fed
era constitution metes or bounds of the power TO
pend the general revenues in works of improvement
There is double misfortune in such views To profess
to see power without limit FORM shape is to define
the discovery something ethereal and vague as to
be to most mems minds proof of its unsubstantia and
delusive nature Practically, too, the excess of demands
on the public treasury which such doctrine invites,
must defeat legitimate enterprises or confne them to very
narrow and insufficient means"
Mr. Websters doctrine is atitudnous enough in all
conscience
Of the power of the government Gays he) to make APP
preparations for erecting harbors and clearing rivers,
never entertained particle of doubt This power, my
judgment is not partial limited, obscure-appcable TO
some uses and not applicable to otherto States and
not to othersto rivers and othcrsas
have been the opinion of gentlemen connected with the
Memphis convention For one, reject all such faretched
and unnatural distinctions In my opinion, the authority
of the government IN this respect directly the grant
OF the commercial power Congress- and this has been
understood from the be ginning by the wises and best
who have been concerned in the administration of gov
eminent, and is, consequently, general and limited only
by the importance of each particular subject and the dis
erection OF Congress-"
Mr. Webster has been hailed as the defender of the
constitutions During his late visit to the south, in
one of his moments of efervescence, he declared
that he aspred to no higher distinction than to
have that epitaph soul ptured his tomb. There was
another character which he once ambitious of filling
1t was his visit to Virginia in $780, that he called him
self "JeGersonan Republican," And now, how does
either character suit him, with this Chicago letter before
him. Mr.. Jefferson has denied the jurisdiction of the
federal government over the rivers in the States In his
letter TO Mr.. Giles of December &c. 1885, he declared
that
Under the authority establish postroads they claim
that of cutting down mountains for the construction
roads, OF digging canals and, aided by little sophsry
the words general welfare right to do, only the
to effect that, which specifically enumerated and per-
med but whatsoever they shall think, pretend will be
for the general welfare"
In 1925, he also stated, in the solemn declaration which
he prepared for the Legislature OF Virginia, that
"They uhe federal party claim, for example, and have
commenced the exercise of right roads, open
canals, and effect other internal Improvements within the
territories and jurisdictions exclusively belonging the sew
eal States which this Assembly does declare has been
given that branch by the constitutional compact but
remains each State among its domestic and unaenaed
powers eXercisabe within ITSELF and by its domestic
thorities alone"
These were the well-scted and long established
opinions of Mr. Jefferson, appears by reference his
message of 1906 We have Mr. Polk putting forth
that passage his report from the select committee made
to the House of Representatives July IS, 1884, the
distribution OF the public funds.
'NIr. Jefferson in his annual message of December,
1906 submits Congress what disposition ii might be
proper omake Of any surplus and, after suggest
ing objects to which it might be benefciaIy applied
public educaon roads, rivers, canals, and such other
objects of public improvement may be thought proper
add to the constitutional enumeration of federal powers
he adds: suppose amendment to the constitution, by
of the Sates essary; because the objects
recommended among those enumerated in the
stitution and to which it permits the public moneys be
applied"
This is the true doctrine of the constitution; and if the
power is to be given to the United States in any FORM
and with every guard and limitation prevent excess
and abuse Mr. Jefferson has suggested the true remedy
Are these unlimited powers, then, claimed by Mr.
Webster in his Chicago letter. consistent with the charac-
ter either of sthe defender of the constitution" in its
true sense, or of ga Jeffersonian republican,"
| Mr.. Webster claims, the foundation of this
power the commercial porer to Congress that is to
say the power to regulate commerce among the several
States But, unquesonably the defender of the
stitution takes ground which has been repudated
by him who of the most distinguished fathersol
the constitution; for Mr.. Madison, in his last great
official President of the United States, declares
that
"The power to regulate commerce among the several
Sates, cannot include power roads and
nals and improve the navigation of waer-couses, in
order to facilitate, promote, and secure such commerce.
without latitude of construction, departing from the ordi-
nary import of the erms, strengthened by the known
conveniences which, doubtless, led to the grant of this
medal power to Congress.
| And yet, these unlimited doctrines of Mr.. Webster
were hailed with much fciat in the Chicago conven-
ton, because they $50 entirely acceptable to that
whole assembled multitude" Let not be led away by
the reclamation of multitude, which, however respect
able as body, adopted whole series Of fundamental
propositions which scarcely read with any attention
and were certainly adopted without any discussion.
Those propositions rest upon basis which is allacious
contrary to the true genius of the constitution, and al
with the creed of the church and the principles oil
the fathers of the old republican party.
WooI-GRowING.-B few of the amount o.
and profitable crop Of the farmer who has grazing
lands. In the New England and of the States
forms large staple; and agents from factories and