The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-10

cifc road runs over territory and that desert belong
ing all The United States-a distinction that cannot
avail gentlemen, unless they prepared TO give up
conviction party professions TO The force OF interest
and the temptations OF sectional ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 10 this
complexion II must come al last They cannot even lay
the atteng unciion TO theft souls which 10 have
sustained Mr. Jefferson in his disregard OF the consttu
ton BY the purchase oil Louisiana upon the broad doc
Ine OF State necessity, Such doctrine might afford a
place OF refuge Tor virtnous and wise act
ing under the duess OF necessity. whilst might become
dangerous hiding place for selfish expedency Grim
nal ambition Gentlemen do not pretend to plead this
necessly--indeed they cannot; for communication with
California be now had within thirty days by the
ocean and Panama route. Aud when railroad shall be
completed al some OF the many points in contempa
on across The sihmus II is very doubtful whether this
one will have any advantages over IT, In commercial
point oil view. lis common opinion that there VIII be
none. These natural facilities oil communication seem 10
have been pointed out by the finger Of God whilst this
road 70 be indicated without Reconnaissance or survey
will be the work OF guessing man.
Now, Mr.. President, lei gentlemen look al 1t. Is not
this measure of internal improvements 10 be constructed
by the direction and the means OF the federal
not by the direction OF The federal government IN It's fni
meaning, out by of its departmens-the Executive
II but an illustration OF many OF The lessons OF history
that doctrine and prncipe melt and crnmble under the
temptations Of interest Creeds aud party platforms are
bat barriers OF sand against the tide OF power and The
force of local combinations
Allow me 10 say, sir, that If are TO have system
OF internal improvements 10 be commenced now In disre-
gard OF all our party professions greatly prefer that IL
shall be devised by the Congress OF the United States
jokng TO the general welfare and commercial regula-
ton OF all the States of the conederacy, than TO such
partial system OF improvements and commercial regula-
tlon as has IN many instances been committed to seve
raj OF the States. Here, sir aude 10 the donation OF
public land 10 several of the western and northwestern
States, ior the construction OF railroads and cutting OF
canals The mere donation OF such lands as graulies
would be Objectionable as partial mode OF dlsposlng OF
the public domain But that is my main objection to
this policy My objection is, it allows to the States re-
ceiving such donations 10 make selfish regulations OF com
mece not only tor their own benefit, but such as may
operate TO the prejudice Of other States. To illustrate
night be willing 10 put staff into the hands OF anoh
er, but when know he Is to use against me II becomes
my duty to look TO self-proleclioD.
single State, or two States, acting in comb-
nation. under the influence OF local and sectional inter
esi might yield TO the temptation OF making adversary
diversions OF commerce. For instance, the lake States,
to make communication through the lakes 10 the great
sea-pors the north Atlantic, whilst Congress, repre-
senlng all The States would have every nducemenl TO
make commercial regulation to subserve the interests and
preserve the equality of all the parts. | do not admit,
however that IN such regulations of commerce by Con
gress that could expect equality IN the appropriations
OF money for such purposes. All that mean 10 say s,
that general system OF internal improvements, emana-
ting from the council OF the conederacy, would
be preferable 10 partial and dsonted regulations OF few
OF the States frequently having inducements TO make their
channels OF commerce adversary 10 others.
Mr. President are standing on the threshold OF an
eventful future We about 10 embark upon system
that will swallow up all others. and will increase the
tendency of this government. coniederacy of
publican States, TO become consolidated empire We
departing from old landmarks, and entering upon
or compass. We committing our destines TO the
discretion OF irresponsible legislation, instead OF allow
ing 1t 10 be controlled and protected by The obligations
and guarantees OF a written and once-respected consi.
tuition.
fear. Mr.. President, are approaching period in
the history OF this government when we shall have 10
escape from abuses and dangers by revolution instead OIL
resorlng 10 reform under the dictates OF justice and
the prescription OF acknowledged forms OF government
But IN all this know, cir, | have not the sympathy,
much less the support, OF the majority OF this body
hall Ihn nj hsiA N IIs
cussion OF my constitutional opinions mis- great and
oiten-consdered subject acqult myself 10 the country
by referring them TO the opinions OF the greatest states
who have adorned the republican school OF politics
in tsis country If the opinions OF Jefferson, Madison,
Tazewell, Crawford, Randolph, Hayne, Rowan, and
other distinguished democratic republicans, TO be dis
regarded, mine may not be expected 10 have any weight
upon your deliberations. No, Mr. President have lived
too long, and much OF the predeerminations
upon subjects OF this kind, enter upon discussions that
regarded the stale notions OF ancestos under
the tide OF what is called progressive democracy.
Yes, SIR, have enough 10 convince me that the
machinery OF this government ~ lis actual operation Is
stronger than the constitution The law oil progress has
superseded the law OF the constitution. was reminded
by friend, longer than last night. OF the fauy OF
resisting what called the progressive tendency 0t the
age. | was asked the question, VIII you continue TO
think with your ancestorsl will give The reply
TO you that gave 10 him: That | am willing 10 obey
the law of progress for would not fulfil the great
designs of Providence if TO oppose it, But to
conform to tina, law, | would have il observed, it
must be regulated by wisdom, freedom, aod justice
otherwise iabecomes rash, inconsdeaie, and aggres
siye, running the doctrine that night make right
Under The influence of this law as have heard so OF
ten interpreted upon this oo conservative restraint and
guidance are looked upon stupid impedimen,s, re-
strainng the wisdom and suppresslng the genius oil
Young America.
In looking at all Nature. find there sautary
upon the unresaned energies and impulses OF pro-
gess No nation great people ever attained the seed
rty OF greatness By disregard OF these wise lessons,
and disregard OF them, even in own history, char
scterized IL is by such wonderful Developments,
would be like Apollo giving Phaeon the reins OF the
horses of the Sun Ii is a law 10 be conducted very
much the Of society are, under the impusive
energy OF youth and the restraining wisdom OF age.
once heard my venerable precepior, DR. Maxcy, when
was a young man, preach sermon that struck me
young man, remarkable Tor his energy, galantry and
every quality calculated to address itself TO The favorable
consideration OF young 10 that address, he said II
was well for TO die, for II the great machinery OF
this life committed TO old alone, with all its
timid wisdom, society would become sagnant, and the
impusive motive power OF youth necessary TO carry
on tne great concerns OF society Yes sir, Is Just
necessary "a the other aud he remarked that II you
were 10 commit The whole concerns OF the world to
youthful energy, without the restraints and the control
ling wisdom OF age, You would make great mistake
that would almost be profane opposition TO the laws of
the universe, as regulated by the wisdom OF Deity.
Shall this law OF progress TO the Judgment
would rather say the decsionoi unrestraned major
y having other control than the wisdom OF it's dis
creon and The policy of progression Those who are
for trusting alone to the impuslve energy OF progress may
SOW the seeds Of the storm and reap the whirlwind.
have not caution than most men but surely may
be permitted at least appeal TO the conservative prn
cipes and spirit Of the constitutions even when its pro-