The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-09-29
Gbe cfelitiana lenlotrat.
Speech of Bythell HAYNES, Esar.

Delivered before the Democratic Central Club,
in Clinton, La., on the evening Of Septem-
Der Is, 1855
FELLOW CITIZENS:
l do not know that can interest you more
in any other way, than by passing in review,
the speech of Col. POM, delivered near this
town, short time past, and making such COM
ments thereon, as the occasion may justify.
Wednesday the 18th instant was the day
fixed upon by Col Randall Hunt to address
the people of East FelicYana at u place abou}
three quarters of u mile north of Clinton-
He, not being able to attend, Col. Preston
Pond, the X. N. nominee for Congress being
present was called upon by the meeting, and
responded in his usual style Of pleasant orato-
ry. As speaker, he Is truly eloquent, and
happy His manner was pleasing, his language
clear and his propositions well stated.
He commenced by declaring all the old is
sues settled by the former political contests,
between the whig and democratic parties. He
took them up, one by one, and pronounced
them disposed of. The subject of Internal I'M
provenent by the general government was the
first he mentioned This he said was one of
the first questions that had ever divided the
old whig and democratic parties That all
parties agreed to the policy, and held to the
doctrine that Congress possessed the power to
carry on u general system Of internal improve
ments-rcfcrrcd to Jefferson Madison, and
Munroe, in support Of his assertion. But du.
ring the administration of General Jackson
his vctos of several bills for internal improve
ments divided the two parties on that question
but now all had been settled. This question
Col Pond ought to know, is yet an open ISSUE
That even at the last congress, Mr. Pierce
thought it Of such vital Importance, that he
sent in Message, discussing the question in
all its bearings, and showing conclusivcly that
there were only a few objects, national in their
character, on which Congress could exercise
that power, such as improving navigable rivers
that embraced several states, and improving
harbors. Within q very recent period two
conventions have been held to memoriazc con-
gress on the subject. One at Memphis and
one at Chicago. Q Delegates were in attendance
from nearly all thc States yet the question re-
mains undecided, how far Congress can go
without violating the constitution or interfer
ing with the reserved rights of the states If
it be settled how did it happen that Mr.. Pierce
vetoed the river and harbor bill of session be-
fore the last We are sure Col Pond is mis-
taken in saying that the bill was afterwards
passed over his head by vote Of tvo-thirds
The bill failed to pass, and was the cause Of
the message above referred to, at the begin
ming of last session. There is wide difference
of opinion on this question. The democratic
doctrine has generally prevailed, because they
have been in power, yet every session of con-
gress we find the question brought up anew,
and but for the strict construction Of the dem
ocratic party, given to the constitution, limit
ing as much as possible, the power Of congress
over the subject We should have had schemes
Of extravaganza, and wild speculation that
would long since bankrupted the nation. Mr..
Jefferson denied the right of Congress to make
roads, open canals, and make other internal
Improvements within the territories and juris-
dictions exclusively belonging to the several
states Gen. jackson, in his veto of the Mays
vile road bill, expressly declares that no bill
that admits an Infringement Of the doctrine Of
state rights can receive his official sanction
He says further, that works of internal improve
ment by the general government, must be "gen-
eral, not local. national, not state, in their cha
racter." Col Ponds assertion, that the ques-
tion Of internal improvements by the general
SoFCiuNltib lIlli bCtH sDbtlCu III iu'pI VI SSil-
eral system, was unfortunately for him q mis-
take. There are some, and not few who
contend for unlimited power by Congress over
the subject. The democratic doctrine is the
only safe course upon the question and may be
defended against all opposition come from what
quarter it may. The yetoes of President Jack
sonI Iof the Maysville road, the River and Harbor
bill, of President Polk of the River and Har-
bor bi and the veto of President Pierce of
the river and harbor bill, during their respec-
tive administrations are among the ablest state
papers that were ever sent to congress- and
will forever remain enduring monuments Of the
wisdom of their authors, and the true demo-
cratic doctrines on the subject Of internal i'm
proyement by the general government.
He next adverted to the national bank qucs-
tion and declared it to be settled also. But
like other X. N. speakers he failed to acknowl-
edge that it had been decided in favor of the
democrats after many hard fought political
contest with the old whig party.
The question of q high protective tariff
which once divided the two old parties had al
so been settled, in favor of the democrats but
not until the object contended for by Mr.. Clay,
to put our manufactures on safe footing had
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