Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-12-09

which it Is deprived by such privileges. The
last is supposed 10 be the preferable mode, and
WILL if not entirely, so nearly supply that def
cheney as to make any further appropriation that
may be found necessary so inconsiderable as to
form no obstacles to the proposed reductions.
| entertain no doubt OF the authority of Con-
oress TO make appropriations Tor leading objects
in that class of public works comprising what
are usually called works of internal improve
ment This authority suppose TO be derived
chiefly from the power OF regulating commerce
with foreign na,ions and among the States, end
the power oflaying and collecting imposts-
Where commerce is to be carried on, and i'm
posts collected there must be ports and harbors,
as well as wharves and custom houses. II ships,
laden with valuable cargoes. approach the shore,
or sail along the coast, lighthouses are necessary
at suitable points for the protection Of life and
property Other facilities and securities for
commerce and navigation are hardly less ia por-
tant; and those clauses Of the Constitution,
therefore, to which have referred, have receiv-
ed from the origin Of the Government a liberal
ard beneficial construction.
Not only have lighthouses, huoys,and beaeons
been established. and floating lights maintained
but harbors have been cleared and improved,
piers constructed and even breakwaters for the
safety Of shipping, and sea walls to protect har
bors from being filled up, and rendered useless
by the action OF the ocean, have been erected at
very great expense
And the construction Of the Constitution ap-
rear the more reasonable from the consideration,
| that i these works OF such evident importance
ant utility are not to be accomplished by Con-
eress, they cannot be accomplished at all. BY
the adoption. of the Constitution the several
states voluntarily parted with The power OF col
| 1 tb,yr rss a,,1
it is not to be expected that they should raise
n.oney by internal taxation, direct Or indirect,
for the benefit Of that commerce, TIE revenue
derived from which do not, either in whole or
in part, go iuto their own treasures.
| Nor do perceive any difference between the
power of Congress TO make appropriations for
objects Of his kind Gu the ocean aud the power
to make appropriations fer similar objects on
lakes aud rivers, wherever they are large enough
| to bear Oil nejr waters al exclusive trattlc. The
magnificent Mississippi aid IFS tributaries, and
vast lakes of the North and Northwest, appear
to me to fail within the exercise of the power,
as justly and as clearly as the Ocean and guilt OF
Mexico.
II is a mistake 20 regard expenditures judi
ciousy made for these objects as expenditures
for local purposes. The position, or state Of the
work is necessarily local but its utility is gen.
eral A ship canal around the falls Of St. Mary,
OF less than mile in length, though local in
its construction, would yet be national in its
purpose and its benefits, as it would remove the
only obstruction to a navigation OF more than
thousand miles affecting several States, az well
as our commercial relations with Canada.
| So too, the BFeakwater at the mouth Of the
Delaware is erected, not for the exclusive bene-
fit of the States bordering on the bay and river
of that name, bat for that of the whole coaswse
navigation of the United States and, 70 conside
rable extent also, Of foreign commerce.
If ship be lost on the bar at the entrance of
Southern port for want ot sufficient depth Of
water, it is very likely to be a Northern ship;
and if a steamboat be sunk in any part OF the
| Mississippi, on account OF its channel rot hay
! ing been properly cleared Of oastFuctions, it
may be a boat belauging &c either OF the eight
! or ten States.
NAV add, as hat remarkable, that a
nono all the thirty-one States, there is none
that is not to a greater or less extent, bounded
on the ocean, or Calf of Mexico. or one OF the
great lakes, Or some navisable river.
IN fulfilling our constitutional duties, fellow
citizens, this subject, as III carrying into Ell
feet ali other powers conferred by the Constitu-
.ior, we should consider ourselves as deloerat-
| ing and acting for one and the same country,
and bear constantly in mind, that our regard
and our duty are due, not TO a particular part
only, but TO the whole
| therefore recommend that appropriations be
| made for completing such works as have been
already begun, and for commencing saca 9th
ers as may seem to the wisdom Of Congress to
be of public and general Importance.
| The difficulties and delays incident to the
settlement of private claims BY Congress, a.
mount in many cases to the denial Of Justice
| There is reason to apprehend that many unfor-
tanate creditors of tine Government have there
by been unavoidaby ruined. Congress has SO
much business of public character, that it is i'm
possible that it should give much attention to
mere private claims, and their accumulation is
now SO great that many claimants, must despair
of ever being able TO obtain hearing. 1t may
well be doubted whether Congress, from the ma
ture Of its organization, is properly constituted to
| decide upon such cases.
1t is Impossible that each member should ex-
anime the merits OF every claim on which he
is compelled TO vote and it is preposterous to
ask a Judge to decide case hich he has never
heard Such decisions may, and frequently
must do injustice eltit IN the claimant or the
government, and pelr.ye no better remedy Tor
this growing evil than for the establishment of
some tribunal to adjudcate upon such claims
| beg leave therefore most respectfully to recon-
mend that provision be made by law for the ap-
poinment Of commission to settle all private
! hearing must in all contested cases be very I'M
satisfactory, | also recommend the appointment
oi a Solicitor whose duty it shall be 10 represent
the government before such commission and
protect it against all illegal fraudulent or un-
Just Claims, which may be presented for their
adjudication.
This district which has neither voice nor vote
in your deliberations, looks to you for protection
and aid, + commend all its wants to your favor
able consideration, with full confidence that
you will meet them not only with justice, but
with liberality. 1t should be borne in mind that
in this city, laid out by Washington, and con,
secrated by his name, Is located the capital OF
our nation, the emblem Of our Union and the
symbol of our greatness. Here also are situated
all the public buildings necessary fort the use OF
the Government, and all these are exempt from
taxation.
It should be the pride of every American to
render this place attractive TO the people of the
e..