The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-09
THE VETO OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR BILI-MR
RICHARDSON'S REMARKS.

In the course Of the brief but animated debate which
took place in the House of Representatives on Saturday
last the veto message one or two remarks are re-
ported to have been made by Colonel Richardson, OF
Illinois, which calculated to make an erroneous
impression to the position of the President on the
river and harbor question The inference which may
be drawn from those remarks is, that Colonel Rich
ardson attributes to the President the holding of tho
opinion that appropriations for improvements on the At
antc and Pacific seaboards may be constitutional whilst
appropriations for similar objects in the interior would be
unconstitutional Itis not the sentiment as to the consu-
onaI question advanced by Col Richardson to which we
take exception; but the circumstances under which the re-
marks were made in connexon with the language used may
produce the impression that the President occupies the Po
ston which COL Richardson condemns as wrong and un-
ust We wholly unable to discover in the PRESIDENTS
message any ground for such an mputaon ana we
Col Richardson intended to make none SUCH "heh asked
by Mr. Barksdae specify the purposes which he regarded
as national and what he regards ms local. Col Richardson
responded; AZ think Gen jackson about as good
n man upon this subject anybody else This remark
shows distinctly Col Richardson's position, and he could
not fail to know that the diS.;aption on which Gen
Jackson acted is plainly 1ygnised by President Pierce
The language of IL message is On such an examination
If this bill as it has been my power to make recognise
which If they stood alone it would be compatible with my
onvicons of public duty assent to- but at the same
time it embraces Others which merely local. and not
in nv Judgment warranted by any safe true construc-
tiop Of the constitution There is certainly nothing in
tbs which ustes the inference that the Pres
dent intended to advance the idea that improvements
ON tho seaboard are national and therefore constitutional
lint that similar in the interior local. and
would be therefore unconstitutional We are sure that
such construction of his message is total msntepreta-
ton of its meaning.
1t is not our purpose undertake to state the dis
ncon between national and local Objects on which the
President has acted in Withholding his approval OF the
river and harbor bill This task he has reserved for his
next annual message But refer to the subject to prevent
erroneous differences from the remarks of Colonel Richard
son. as reported several papers We have no objection
TO the Independence with which Colonel Richardson e1-
pressed mmse-he has perfect right to form ana an
nounce his opinions and the President would be the
last man to desire to curta or restrain his liberty IN
such matter; but whilst Colonel Richardson is emu
tied to this freedom, the President Is enuted 10
the privilege only of forming and expressing his opn
ions but also of having them correctly understood u
Colonel Richardson had remembered the remarks OF
the President the subject OF internal improvements
made in his message the commencement OF the late ses
sion Congress- cannot think that he womb nave USED
language liable to be msconstrued into condemnation
of the message accompanying the river and harpor p
seems that the whole political career OF Presiueht
Pierce ought to have satisfied Colonel Richardson that his
sentiments on this as on all other public questions
characterized by national and not by sectional consdera
ons The evidence furnished during the late session was
abundant this point But careful perusa OF the o-
lowing extract from his message the commencement OF
II 1,,,ltt that may hn
raised by Colonel Richardson's remarks to the position
Of the President 1t will be that he distinctly repu-
dates any distinction of constitutional power as 10 inn
proyements on the seaboard and in the interior We quote
as follows:
The subject internal improvements claiming alike the
interest and goodwill of ALL has, nevertheless been tbs
basis of much political discussion and has stood as deep
craven line of division between statesmen OF eminent ability
and patriotism The rule Of strict construction OF all powers
delegated States the general government mas array
ed ITSELF from time time against the rapid progress OF ex
pendtures from the national treasury on works OF oea
character within the States Memorable an epoch IN the
history of this subject Is the of President JacRrpn
9th of May $780, which met the system OF internal
improvements in its comparative inancy but so rapid had
been its growth projected appropriations in that
year for works of this character had risen to the alarming
amount of more than one hundred millions OF dollars
Ip that message the President admitted the difficulty Of
bringing the operations of the government to tho con-
tructon of constitution set 1885, and marked 1t as
admontOry
en with sleepess vigilance against the authority OF prece
dents which had the sanction Of its most plainly defined
powers.
government exists under written compact between
sovereign States, uniting for specific Objects and with spe
cfc grants to their general agent If then, in the progress
of its administration there have been departures from the
terms and of the compact it is and will ever be- prop
or TO refer fixed standard which fathers lett
MS and to make effort conform action to it,
would seem the fact of principle having been resisted
from the first by many of the wises and most patriotic men
of the republic policy having provoked constant STRIFE
without arriving at conclusion which be regarded as
satisfactory its advocates should suggest the
inquiry whether there may not be plan likely to be crown
ed by happier results Without perceivng sound dis
nction intending to assert principle ms opposed 10
needed for the protection of internal commerce.
which equally apply to improvements the sea
board the protection of foreign commerce. submit to
Won whether may not be safely anticipated that the pol
cy we're settled against appropriations by the general
government for local improvements for the benefit OF COM
merce localities requiring expenditures would not by modes
and clearly legitimate and proper raise the fund ne
eessary such constructions the safety or other interests
of their commerce might require
II viii be thus seen that in his message of December as
well as in that accompanying the river and harbor BILL the
President recognises distinction between appropriations
for national and for local objects Gen jackson made the
same distinction and for his government adopted
MS rule the distinction between objects above and those
below ports of enryhe former he treated as local. ana
the latter as national He not satisfied with this rule
l,,,l he ptc1 ma ba hegt ~