Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-22


SAFE and proper power OF the General Government because
they to the common defence and general good
are national IN their character and on account of their mag
nude and extent beyond the reach
individual enterprise the exercise of State authority
Such were my views in ls4s-such are my views now
and in accordance with them, shall give my this
occasion.
In conclusion awod Upon the remark of the Senator from
Mississippi (Mr. DAVIS, which characterized the power
claimed for this Government works of this kind
vagrant power Abiding to the remarks Of the Senator
from Ohio (Mr EwIse he said that Senator had succeed
ed at last IN ocatng this vagrant power" am not dis
posed to deact from the credit which may be awarded any
Senator But with all respect for the Senator from Ohio
land have great respect for hm) agree that this
made now, for the first time. So far am informed il
has always been mainly and substantially located in the clause
OF the constitution, "to regulate commerce." But to 60
no further back than lS47, may with confidence that
by the late iustrious Senator from South Carolina, Mr Cal
houn in bis celebrated report upon the memorial of the
Memphis Convention There have always considered its
ocation to be conceded and be and there feel it
VIII stand until some hand strong that Of the giant who
placed it there shall the facts and arguments
which composed its sdamantne foundation.
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi. am sorry my friend from
Arkansas should have found much objection my remarks
AS stated 10 him, will repeat that have wish charge
him with want Of Democracy read him of the Demo
cratic party. assume such prerogsves will not de-
tain the Senate by following through all the remarks of the
Senator from Arkansas but will con6ne myself to the last
point.
The Senator quotes the authority of Mr. Calhoun. He
quotes it in vain, quite in vain, for such bill this
Though that distinguished statesmen entertained opinions
attudnous than my upon this particular subject
although adopted his idea of inland and the
consequences Of H. yet he the Of ap
proving such bill this Nor, sir do think the
power to make such improvements has been located yet
know how often has been attempted to refer 70 the grant
of power regulate commerce. What is il to regulate
merce 10 it to furnish the means Of commerce If to i'm
prove rivers to make canals and roads be to regulate
merce you might with greater proprety that you will
build ships wagons, and racas as part OF the power 70
regulate To regulate s to make rules not to fur
nish the of 1t vagrant power, To-
Gated sometimes in place and sometimes in another
formerly upon the expression of general welfare, recently
upon the power to regulate commerce. and the intercourse
between States. Sometimes confined to the army power
sometimes to the power of maintaining navy wandering In
every direction, located nowhere The gentleman has not
found located He cannot locate it, because there no
ground upon which stand He may attempt place
here there it will stand nowhere. referred play
fully than seriously to the remark of the Senator from Ohio
which he informed me not argument designed to To-
cate the power but assuming intended to show that
the inherited prejudices Of counymen had led them to
deny the powera of who have grown up under
constitution Of specific grants and whose fathers gave them
standard the power of the Government he sup
poses have inherited predces against certain power
from their insular ancestors. 1t to that was replying
did believe the Senator from Ohio entertained the idea
that be proving the existence Of the power. could not
do because he actually interrupted to say that he
addressing himself to those who admitted the power and not
to those who denied it. The Senator was mistaken in my
argument
Mr. HUNTER. 1t must he obvious that this bill is TO
lead to great deal discussion, and rise 10
ask the unanimous Of the Senate permit to be
laid aside for the present in order to take up the civil and d.
plomatc appropriation BILL and when that is disposed of this
can be again taken up *t..-
Mr. CLAY. object.
Mr. HAMLIN. desire to propose amendment to the
BILL move TO strike out the following words For the
Illinois and Tennessee rivers, $4,000 EACH"
Mr. SHIELDS. ask for the yeas and nays.
Mr.. BELL. The honorable Senator said to-day that he
would make motion to strike out the Tennessee river be-
there survey of it. would inquire if the Sem
ator strike the appropriation for the
river Mississippi And if he does not, will he be ready to
state there has been survey Of that river that
there will be if is necessary that there should be
Has there been any of the river Ohio want to show the
grounds upon which these motions arguments made,
not think to the enlightened understanding OF the country
in regard to the character of these And again
want to state that the river Tennessee is little inferior if at
ALL both in the volume OF its water and its length to the river
Ohio ITSELF and that it drains three SatesTennessee Ala
bams, and Kentucky. Does the Senator to to
strike out the Ohio river J
Mr.. HAMLIN. Will the Senator allow me to ssy one
word desire by this to the of the Senate upon
this proposition whether they desire design 10 retain the
items in this bill for which surveys estimates have been
made. This is of them and when get the sense OF
the Senate upon this amendment, 1t shall be adverse the
motion, have no other to make IL however, the motion be
agreed to, the Senate will understand what other motions
shall make.
Mr.. FOOTE. perfectly in the views stated by
the Senator think these estimates necessary And In
addition that beg leave say that the Tennessee river,
although very respectable stream for certain well
known those who have lived it's banks and TO those who
familiar with its geography, not recognised national
river 1t is very respectable inland stream, the navigation
Of which is quite important but exceedingly interrupted II
is slow in its fow from certain distractions and is not
acty such river could be called great national stream
know it is very difficult to tell what sort of improvement
national in the old jackson have never seen the
wise enough determine those internal improvements
which strictly Of national character. But do know
that between the two extremes between that which Is unques
onably NATIONAL the improvements on our Atlantic and
Pacific coasts, and the Mississippi and the lakes norhor
and the improvements little having between
fifteen twenty miles only in their whole course,
there is middle ground which it simportant for to
tain, if It be possible for to ascertain at all One class
Of these Improvements may be called NATIONAL the other
tanly is not and although may not be able 10 ascertain
the precise dividing line between those schemes Of internal
improvement which national in their character and those
which not il is perfectly true that any Of will
be able determine for himself whether particular scheme Of
improvement is is national have hesitation in
saying that do believe the improvement of the Mississippi
ver that river that continuation OF inland
may be well regarded Of national character But who
would suppose that the improvement of the little stream that
at The foot of the hill upon which the Capitol located
would be called national .a. a
Although il is impossible for us to run the line between
those schemes Of internal improvement which national and
those which NATIONAL think il is most obvious that
there portions of this bill which any thing but national
their character And say that conceive this propo
sion include the Tennessee river of the latter eec-