The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-10
For ,he Uulon


Internal Improvements.
We propose now take up this subject and proceed
with in plain, frank, and natural manner, inviting
tbs attention OF readers of all parties and denomlna
uons TO close and scrutnizng consideration OF the
constitutional, historical and statistical view which, In
good lath about TO present 10 them, disregarding
The doctrines and learned dispositions of those who may
have proiessed presumed 10 speak or to write "by
authority" from party or another. hoping that IN
The conclusions to which shall arrive in the sequel
we shall have the hearty of all well-mean
ing and unsophsticaed men.
First in Order take up the constitution OF the uhl-
led States and from il every clause aad sentence
which either directly indirectly may have bearing
upon this subject
We find in the preamble that among the objects for
the establishment Of the constitution those to ''pro-
vide for the defence" and to promote the gen
eral welfare" We consider the words OF this preamble
OF general decaraory nature equivalent TO the words
of the title OF act of Congress showing the design OF
the law, but leaving the exact provisions contained
in the body of the law the manner or mode and the
means for efecng the objects intended By the sth
section OF the article it is provided that Congress
shall have power "to provide for the defence
and general welfare of the United States o regulate
with foreign nations and among the several
States and with the Indian tribes Ito establish post
Offices and post roads !" "to make all laws which shall
be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the
foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this
constitution in the government of the United States in
any department or officer thereof"
Thus discover in the preamble the intention, and
find in the body OF the instrument the grant OF power
"to provide for the defence and general well
fare;" and, further, find the express grant of power
make all laws necessary and proper to effect these OBJ
jec,s.
There appears have been less difficulty in discover
ing the of power for efecng works of COM
national character than in devisng the Of
executing such power without interfering with
riding the jurisdiction rights Of the States in which the
objects to be accomplished may lie.
On this point we find the case ably and concsely
stated in the report of that interchangeable and valuable
member Of the United States Senate Governor Bright of
Indiana made the close of the last session, that
cheerfally adopt as basis upon which the whole
country may stand and recommend this report TO the
earnest attention of all whose position may require them
to act upon these subjects practical and satesmanke
view The particular object under review by that hon
orable chairman Of the Committee Roads and Canals
was the Louisville and Portland canal, upon which
most just and conclusive opinion and judgment
pressed but. dealing with the subject
generally, shall give at present TO our readers and
close this article with, only such part of this interesting
report lays down broad and general principles coeva
with our republican government and coextensive with
the utmost boundaries of our vast country.
In speaking of the policy OF taking and holding by the
government OF the United States the stock of private
companies for objects Of internal improvement Governor
Bright says
"In the opinion of the committee this is very OBJ
ec,ionabe mode OF applying the public funds. even in
unquestonably national in their character as II
converts The government into specializing agent, and
far the amount Of stock held by may go, mixes
up the government with schemes Of monopoly, and not
unfrequeny lends its power, indirectly to onerous and
oppre ssve exactons upon the lawful trade commerce.
and travel Of the country and certainly in
tended by the constitution that the power OF the general
government should be thus used.
The basis OF the great objection which has been
scientousy urged against the OF the power OF
the government TO make internal improvements has been
that il ntereres with State sovereignty, and uses the
public money IN objects OF partial local character
and enhances the objection in small degree when
the OF sfectng the object dscloses design on
The part OF the government TO remain permanently, or Tor
considerable length OF tme IN the exercise OF powers
and functions OF municipal or local nature reserved 10
the States within whose territorial boundaries they may
be so exercised and thus has been found that whole
public sentiment has called for the Tenq
Of such powers and functions the part OF the general
government 10 the States in which they have been ex.
tled Tor Tune, as IN the case OF
and others tina, might be enumerated The same public
sentiment has led 10 the adoption OF the principle, which
has been acted upon with but little objection in numer
Gus instances OF placing the by the grant OF pub
lie lands and otherwise at the disposal OF the States IN
which the objects are 10 be effected.
The great question for Congress TO determine IN each
is whether the object TO be effected is OF national
simply local natare and il the former, whether the
object be OF such nature and magnitude 10 require
The exeron OF the immediate power and means OF the
general government, through its officers and agents
srnmens, whose power may be eXerted, through their
agents, TO accomplish the end
In the latter constitutional jurisdiction covers
the soil acted upon IN the former II must be assened
TO- conferred for the time being for the particular pur
pose by the State, upon the general government, or 1t
cannot be exercised and such power authority over
II would cease with its accomplishment, there is no
hon-the objects which Congress may exercise an
exclusive and permanent jurisdiction within the States,
BY the cesson OF such States, being particularly
rated the constitution, without including any object
OF the of that under consideration But that Con-
gress has power by OF the public means, and with
the OF the States effect national objects within
such States and beyond their TO accomplish, must
be conceded, there is meaning in the PLAIN letter
Of the constitution II declares that the Congress shall
ercses 10 pay the debts and provide for the common
defence and general welfare OF the United States TO
regulate commerce with foreign nalions and among the
several STATES 10 make all laws which shall be neces
say and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing
powers, and all other powers vested by This constitution
IN the government Of the United States or in any depart
ment or officer thereof
The intention in comforting these powers upon Con-
gress for the accomplishment OF national objects becomes
and conclusive hon safar IN thoae