Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-01-13
From the 81. Louis Union.
Western improvements.

Western improvements.
We have read carefully the Presidents Message, giving
the for Withholding his the River and
Harbor Bill passed the last session of Congress. is
difficult TO determine whether he intends to convey the
impression that river improvements by the Federal Gov
eminent unconstitutional confne his objections
TO such within the jurisdiction Of a State We in
fer that the latter in his view of the subject although
regret that any is left for doubt That the Mssis
sIppi is under the Federal Goyernment-is q national
highway, which Missouri and Illinois cannot jointly block
up at any point all Of the Western States combined
will not be disputed by any person familiar with the SUBJ
lect So far that river is concerned, no
for doubt. Nearly all have
Cured that point During the Revolutionary ias
navigation the subject of extreme solcitude the
part of the continental Congress and that body declined
the alliance of Spain when proered the condition that
we should surrender it up Afterwards, when Washing
ton President and negotiations renewed with
Spain that subject the pioneers alarmed the
rumors which had reached them held public meeting to
protect themselves against any treaty which might shut up
that channel Of trade Washington stepped aside from his
usual quiet their apprehensons. informing them
of the precise Of negotiations and Congress resolved
reIinquish the national right that In
7S7 Congress ordained that 1.-the navgabe waters lead
ing into the Mississippi and ST. Lawrence, and the carry
ing places between the shall be highways,
and forever Free well the inhabitants of said terrific
y as to the citizens Of the United States and those of any
other State that may be admitted into the Conederacy
without any fa duty, or imP0st therefor And in 1885,
Congress resolved hat the free navigation Of the river
Mississippi is clear and essential right of the United
States. Indeed, the various laws, public acts and uni
form of the Federal Government jusiies the opin
ion that the Involvement of the Mississippi is within the
constitutional power of that Government. We admit
that bad precedents cannot justify new wrong But
what become Of that class of in which grants
of land have been made the States for particular
purposes! Are all to be swept away! But is
purpose GO over this whole ground which have
frequently and minuiey examined. We may be in error,
in views, but if So with JEFFERSON JACKSON,
Van BURES and BENTON. The published views of those
statesmen to to mark out the true policy, and
limits OF power
We have said that the veto message not explicit on
certain subjects Of particular interest the West In the
of Objectionable measures, refer
10 the great Of the West to the appropra-
tons made for them. We suppose that they
not Intentionally excluded from the general scope Of the
Message That omission Just6es the inference that such
Improvements considered constitutional and proper.
The general reasoning of this document aimed a
TEN which have always opposed system Of internal
improvements by The Federal Government 10 the States
10y roads, canals harbors, &c. &c. which has wauant
in The Constitution in sound policy Nothing that is
said against such system fails cordial assent;
do hesitate TO agree with the objections made
log rolling. We do think that the Message goes
far the Wings desire to have the public believe If
was intended however to deny the Constutionay and
expedency of retaining in the Federal Government the
power Of removing temporary distractions in the Mssls
sippi and Ohio rivers, must consider il expressing
the views of the Democracy of the West but only
small portion Of the Democratic party this side Of the
ALE ghanes The Legislature of Missouri has often acted
on this question, Senators and Representatives have
voted and spoken it, So with of The Democratic
Senators and Representatives from Illinois Why should
consider their expositions of the Constitution
expressive of the Democratic sentiments Of their Staesi
at any rate have reason to change views
on this subiect-that Congress has power make appro
tris ions for removing from the Mississippi and its great
tributaries which lie beyond State jurisdiction. such OBJ
strucons endanger the safety Of their navigation.
Commerce is created thereby il already exists and
more than doubles in value and the foreign
merce of the Republic. There is limit Congressional
power this general subject, and that limit, in our
opinion be found in the language of the Constitution
which confines the authority of Congress commerce
among the States and with the Indian tribes. ship
men in licensed registered vessel from ST. Louis
New Orleans is much part of the coaslng trade OF
the country, if made from Boston New York.. 1t is
trade between the States Of the Confederacy which no
one of them ntedict lighthouse pier, buoy
cutter more necessary TO the foreign
coasng trade Of eastern States, than snsgboa TO the
commerce among the States So far is this doctrine from
infringing the Saiesrght principle that it is the ne.
cessary consequence of it, The States considered
separate soveregntes, and the trade among them
trade among States standing that independent and dis
tinct relation towards each other. Whilst foreign States
pass nonntercouse other restrictive laws. the
States Of this Confederacy have far parted with he
power this subject to leave the Federal Govern
ernment. the regulation of their with each other
The power aud duty in this case 60 together.
But If there be serious doubt resting on the minds
any considerable portion of the people, amendment
the Constitution may be proper have all further difficult
les removed. In the mean time, however the commerce
of the West, should not be left neglected.