Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-08-03
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verv generally admit the infalibHitv of Mr.. Calhoun in
his elucdation Of the metaphysics Of the constitution
Mr.. Calhoun has said that Congress Is the sovereign over
the territories Of the United State; but whether he had
said so or not, Congress, under the provisions Of the COLI
stitution, has always, and does now, exercise over our ter.
rtOries tie powers oil sovereign. Congress may give
away or sell the public lands as it pleascs. 1t may appro-
pirate any amount Of money or lands for the construction Of
roads, &c, through its landed estates, with the view of
increasing their value, or for military purposes, or for
the transportation Of the mails. See the immense grants
to railroads aud canals made in the Western and Southern
States, within the last four years. What, then, j. there
in the constitution TO prevent the construction by Con.
gress, of a railroad, or nifty a ilroads, through the public
laRds in the territories Of the United States. over which
Congress hold the sovereign authority. Nothing. And
what, then, is there to prevent the construction OF a post
oihce railroad, or a military railroad, ora railroad TO in
crease the price Of the public lands, or railroad 10 "reg-
ulIte commerce, " from the frontiers Ofthe State OF Missouri
Or Arkinsas to the boundary OF the State Of California;
Nothing.
We 70 further, ard maintain that the power 10 es,ab-
lish post roads, being unrestricted and iull, embraces the
power ofCongrcss 10 build q postal ralroadirom New York
To san Francisco out Of the federal treasury direct; but u?
course, this sweeping power involves the responsibility OF
a wise discretion.
But nCongress cannot make a railroad through the Uni
ted states territories, who can II "thc people" Of a
territory posses the pozer Of sovereignty over the same,
tucu the colony Of the MormUus &C the SIlt Lake, with their
local desDOtisiu, resting upon the PiuiarchaI institutions
Of p]uiygemy, are beyond the reach Vi the cBnst. tuition
ana the laws and institutions OF the United Sutes.-
With ell due Difference to the Nicholson letter, the crotch.
ct Of State rights j. IN absurdity in q territory. Hence
though Virginia hair spltters may sickle upon State
rights ns fer ~ the construction Of a railroad boy Congress
within the limits Of q State s concerned, there il a clear
margin Of fifteen hundred miles between Missouri and
California. over which Congress alone has the power tr
baid a railroad, Or the power TO provide TOR il con-truc-
uDH.
We are s0meWbtt confident that. 90 tiis extent at lca-t.
the administration will 60 for the riirDid % the Piciic.-
short " q war, $50 know of uothin. else upon which the
democratic party can b. " rcof1 lriz0i 90 -p well o. upon
tins great Pacific enterprise. II tc administration g.
ineIieucd oM' m opposition party will u.ly to The rescue.
built Corgrc-4 must take ahlnd in &c. The nim-y chaH of
State ltFuta objection. DOES not touch the territories
The Secretary Of War aud fhs Secretary Of the Treasury
are right This great road b. q national work. aui 4 ul.
tDnti r'cessIy. aut wo rather uir. ir rua connection.
The alusi1u OF Nc Guthrie 10 the Surplus u the treasury.
The siuet e1nsrucrou-i- OF irgnis mu-tc.car the track