The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-21
THE UNION.


The ST. Louis lntelligencer, instead OF making up an
upon the harbor BILL hesltaes equvocates and shuies,
as usual But the most amusing thing OF all is. that,
whilst 1t is prevarcang, II endeavors 10 divert aen-
cation upon the Times. Now, we have opinions all
public questions, and opinions which not ashamed
to avow We do not defend free soil principles when, we
done in regard TO MIR Fillmore, and abuse them when
lind them in the writings OF wing, that paper has
done IN regard TO certain democrats. We declare war
upon them wherever find them. Nor do we insist
that the constitutional OF the South have been wan
tonly invaded week. and abuse the southern people
as traitors and criminals the next because they resort TO
such defence as they sincerely believe to be right
We believe that Congress has the power to protect
commerce between the States by removing snags and
other distractions to the navigation of streams upon
are recprocaly exchanged We do not believe that Con-
gress has the power TO create the of carrying
commerce between the States by constructing roads and
canals II may regulate commerce between the States,
and therefore may protect it. 1t regulate the
terna trade OF single State and therefore cannot make
appropriations to rivers upon which the internal trade only
IS carried on The wings not able 10 perceive the dis
tinction between national and local legislation Until
they learn TO do this never hope national
legislation emanating from them. To thinking demo
crat the distinction Is plain that between foreign
and domestic trade. Jefferson, Monroe and Jackson
acted upon and the latter especially had opportuni
ties and awaited himself of them, to confirm his faith by
his works. He gave his sanction 10 appropriations TO
remove distractions to the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers, because upon them commerce between the
appropriation 10 streams within single State, be-
cause upon them only the internal trade OF that
State was carried on But as we desire to be explicit,
we shall say few words more, touching the conslitu-
tonal power Of Congress If il were an original ques
ton, should have serious doubts whether there
any power IN the federal government either to appropr
ate money to the harbos of the seaboard to the
of the Union. We now thoroughly convinced that it
would have been far better for the peace and prosperity of
the Union il this power had been expressly reserved
the States and the people, the earlier Congresses had
pudenty forborne its exercise But, inasmuch it has
been repeatedly exercised for the benefit of the seaboa
we think that equity the West too fairly entitled to
portion OF the advantages derived from it.
Having defined position for the gratifca-
ton OF our neghbo we shall add few remarks for the
vons Of the s NOV s h S
house politicians. AT the last session of Congress river
and habor bill introduced If the objects embraced
in that bill had all been national instead Of local objects.
II could have been adopted without difficulty, and
should now be reapng the advantages of the appopra-
ton, instead OF bemoanlng our Ill fortune The bill could
the North and West would have voted for it, and num-
befof the democrats of the South But this what
the wing politicians desired They determined in caucus
the bill divers and sundry appropriations to
trivial local objects, aud either TO carry uy thu, brbng
particular members, compel the democratic party to de
feat IT, Tor The purpose OF making capital for the
presidential campaign, by charging the democratic party
with Hostility 10 river and harbor improvements We
have it from reliable authority that upwards OF ninety
congressional districts directly Interested in that
abominable bill Ii defeated by the of democrats
and rightly too. Whatever appropriations il contained
for national objects could have been passed without
pie or difficulty, and the wings knew it yet they insisted
upon loading II with trivial local appropriations with
full know edge that these would occasion its rejection
The whig party therefore. responsible for the de-
feat of river and harbor bill which would have provided
all for the benefit of the Yves, within the purview OF the
constitution; and the wing voters should duly reflect
upon the fact they their votes for wing candi-
date for the presidency or any other national office The
lntelligencer says:
"When southern votes TO be purchased by shame
less abandonment OF western Interests the wire workers
never lack excuse for the betrayal OF the rights
constituents"
Was il for the purchase of northern votes that in the
bill of the last session ten dollars appropriated 10 the
free States where there for the slave States In
conclusion we say to the lnlegencer that pre-
pared TO make up issue upon the very bill which
much blames the democracy for defeating. What say
you, good neighbour