The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-26
The Erie Canal Question and the Rssign-
Ing Senators.


densed in the following series of resolutions Of
fered by DIR. FooTE at the late public meeting
in Buffalo in favor of the Canal bill, that they
will be read with interest by all who desire to
understand the political issues that are now
agitating the Empire State:
DIR. FooTE, from the committee on resolu-
tons, reported the following, which were unan-
imously adopted:
RssolUsd, That the growth, prosperity, and honor
of our State inseparaby connected with the
prosperity of our internal improvements. Other
States have equal advantages Of position, greater
extent Of territory, IA fertile soil, and more ge-
NAL climate; but New York was the pioneer in in
ternal improvements on grand scale, and, by her
we'll directed efforts to create facilities of CONNER
cial intercourse, she has made her chief city the
commercial metropolis Of the continent, and has
80 stimulated the enterprise Of her citizens and de-
veloped her resources that she now surpasses all
her sister States in population, wealth, and bust
ness; while the sedulous care with which she has
built up, fostered, and extended her humane, mo-
raj, educational, and reforming institutions, give
grace and lustre to her proud prs-eminence.
Resolusd, That for results gratifying TO our
feeling of State pride. and truly honorable and
benef,cnt, we are chiefly indebted to the Erie ca
nal. That work, since its completion. has poured
tide OF wealth through the State, everywhere
arousing industry and guaranteeing H. reward.
1t has repaid its own cost, and has paid millions
into the treasury to construct other needed works,
to sustain the State government, and relieve the
people from taxation. Nor have its benefits been
confined to State alone. It has afforded the
hardy and industrious emigrant an easy route to
the virgin fields of the West; and in the already
great and prosperous States there growing up
rich as they in every thing that constitutes the
glory of Commonwealth, and destined soon to
exert controlling influence the affairs of our
country, can be farther and grander results
of our wise and statesmanlke canal policy
Resolved, That it ia alike the duty and interest of
the State to persevere in policy that experience
has demonstrated to be eminently safe, honor
able, and benefcent. Perseverance has indeed be-
come necessity, unless we willing to surren-
der the supremacy we possess. We have divulged
the secret of empire, and keen, eager competitors
are sPringing up on every side to contest the PALM
1t is an honorable strife, but the less calls for
our heartiest, most united efforts. The question
whether not the Erie canal should be enlarged
to an extent and in time commensurate with the
business requirements built up by and hitherto
dependent upon it's facilities ia one that affects
directly and indirectly every citizen of this State
ResolUed, That we hold it to be certain that, If
the canal be enlarged in the speediest time possible
consistent with good and economical perform
ance of the work, the State would financially gain
largely by the great consequent increase of reve-
nue., and the return that would be made for the
many millions hitherto and as yet unproductively
expended; and that by the greater capacity of the
canal and cheaper transportation, the public would
be benefited and the competition Of other States
and routes be successfully encountered. 1.-THE en-
largement be delayed, or prosecuted with no more
rapdity than it has been for the past four years we
hold 1t no ess certain that very large portion of
the business now enjoyed by the canal, and that
would naturally flow to it, will be diverted to other
and rival channels to the detriment of the citizens
of this State to the peril Of her present commercial
supremacy, and the deep and lasting injury of our
State revenue.
Resoived, That the bill introduced at the late
session OF the Legislature to enlarge the Erie and
complete the Genesee Valley and Black River ca
mails, in the shortest practicable time, has our en-
tire and hearty commentator. The plan therein
proposed we believe to be feasible not Justly liable
to the objection that it creates 4 debt contrary to
the constitution and that, if adopted, it will emil
nently promote and secure the prosperity and re-
nown of our State. We yield to none in reverence
TO the constitution and recognise the duty of obe-
dience to it in letter and spirit. We would, also,
treat with all proper respect and Just consideration
constitutional scrupes honestly entertained But
when thu constitution plainly looks to the compile
ton OF the canal works. as essential 70 the
honor and welfare of the State, and when, in the
opinion of large majority of the Legislature and
Of the best counsel of the State and nation. the
work can be accomplished in brief space Of time,
and without any violation of the constitution, it
becomes, in our belief, patriotic duty to adopt
the plan, in the bill referred to, that will pro-
duce such result.
Resoloed, That we deeply regret the defeat of the
Canal bill at the late session of the Legislature, and
reprobate the means by which it was effected Our
Government ia representative, republican Gov
crnment, organized in separate departments, each
acting independently, under constitution, and
recognises, as a cardinal principle, the governing
power of the majority. The question whether or
not a law will be in accordance with the spirit or
letter of the constitution, until such question shall
arise in the courts of the State, can only be au-
thoritatively determined by the Legislature in
which the bill to constitute the law il pending for
its passage. Any practical departure from this
great fundamental rule should be utterly repro
bated, for infamous" as, in view of its possible
occurrence, 1t was justly characterized by one of
the most eminent trainers of the constitution it
strikes at the very existence of constitutional gov
eminent, and, if allowed, leaves US with no resort
for governing power, except to despotic forms of
government directly antagonistic to our own, and
hateful to free and intelligent people.
Resolued, That we consider the recent resgna-
ton OF twelve Senators and the departure of another
from his place, under the plea of constitutional scru
Piles, and because the majority would yield their
conviction of right, thereby bringing the session Of
the Legislature to an abrupt and violent end, and
preventing the passage of constitutional benefcent
and necessary laws, a criminal abandonment of
their sworn duty, and a revolutionary attompt to
destroy the independence of legislative action, and
subvert the republican and only safe political
maxim, that majority shall rule.
From The Ne,o York Herald, Apra %.
Short Trips OF tho Atlantic Mail Steamers.
The British mail steamship Asia, Captain judi
kins, arrived at her wharf at quarter before eleven
O'Clock this morning, after passags of ten days
and nineteen hours. She left Liverpool on Saturday,
the 18th instant, at quarter before five O'Clock in
the afternoon.
This is very short passage, but not equal to the
f,,a ~ 81 A. ID.