The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-22

be conmuncs ton sic ned "Csroline,n from the pen OF
Dguished correspondent, has been necessarily with
J from publication for more than week. Il ooncen-
Is SO forclbly aud pausIby all the leading arguments
Iv0r of the Congressional exercise OF power which
Ire Obliged 70 regard unconstitutional that we were
iiing 10 allow 70 60 forth unaccompanled with our
dissenting sentiments
he article the Enquirer To which correspondent
rs certainly intended to express warm interest
vor Of the construction of railroad 70 connect
dc and Atlantic possessions. But did not intend
nd any favor whatever 70 any scheme for federal ap
priaion Of land or money TO such purpose There
il was that we expressed decided preference for
connection between Arkansas bay, tn Texas, and Ma
kn bay in Mexco-regardng, us We do, this route as
one which would enable most certainly and speedily
construction ofa railway by private enterprise:
ore entering upon the discussion Of the constitutional
on involved We propose 70 consider an issue OF iact
ed by our correspondent Does tne CinCinnan p.a1
utionaty Of federal appropriations 70 the coostruc
Of the Pacific Railroad
b us see what the Cincinnati Convention really did on
question, and how IL was done.
he proposed platform of the democratic party was
brted ~ the Convention, and when laid before the
yentiOn the report authenticated by the signature
be chairman Of the Committee Resolutions The
buttons thus reported adopted by the Convention
tout alteration or omission.
authorised report of the proceedings Of the Conven
also sets forth a report Of additional resolution
this was reported, or by whom, does not appear
ainly II was not accompanied with the signature OF
chairman of the Committee on Resolutions. This
son, entitled "resoluton with respect To overland
muncation with the Pacific" reads as follows
solved That the democratic party recognises the grea
ed sDa T an
Ugh our own territory, between The Atlantic and faohc
nent promptly all It's constitutional power for
attainment of that object
ow II is evident that this resolution in manner as
hes the constitutional powers Of Congress TO appro-
We lands money 10 the construction OF military or
tai road the Pacific. II merely insists that the fede
government shall employ such constitutional power as
possesses for the attainment Of that object What are
constitutional powers in question, by means Of which
aid, incidental otherwise, can be extended, the re-
hon does not attempt TO misunderstanding these pow
to the same expostons which the democratic party
always applied. The resolution carefully abstains
recognizing any constitutional power in Congress to
strnct, or to Appropriate lands or money 10
resolution, by its terms excludes the conclusion
such powers be exercised. 1t plainly admits that
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific is TO
placed the category Of postal and military roads.
even Mr. Buchanan or Senator Davis will not pre-
that the power to Establish post roads" involves
yer TO construct them or 70 land or money
ber constr ucton. The democratic doctrine In this
e. has been fixed beyond the possibility OF cavil.
oDg already constructed Congress has the power
select the best for mail transportation and thus 10 es-
fish them post roads Any other construction of the
I'd Establish" would attribute to Congress unmit
power to construct internal improvements throughout
Union. Moreover, military and postal roads are
ssed together in the resolution above quoted, and it
be pretended to cOnstrue the mention Of one into
LITIGATION OF internal improvements by the federal 60
nment without applying the same construction 70 Inc
er.
the most then that be said for the resolution is
/ while II denies all power to construct or to appro-
lands money for construction, il leaves room for
implication that Congress may exercise some other
Eers not specified, by which to aid or encourage the
structOn by private enterprise and private means.
Nevertheless, both Pennsylvania and Virginia were
sng to offer opportunity even for this mpli
bon; and on the motion OF delegate from Delaware
Salisbury the resolution was laid on the table by
Afterwards, a delegate from California (Mr Inge),
we'd for suspension of the rules, with view 10 recon
the lay ing this resolution on the table, Penn
vania and Virginia again nterposed, casting unit votes
lnst Mr.. lDge's motion, which was lost-yeas III /,
Us l15.
thus the resolution was twice defeated before the Con-
ation And this occurred previous to the nomination
Mr.. Buchanan
After the Presidential nomination was mado, the
Outon was again brought before the Convention Mr.
DmpsOn, OF Mississippi, moved TO lay 1t on the table,
vote Of Virginia cast unit for Mr.. Thompson's
btlou. Pennsy vana voted as q unit against it. The
fti0n was lost
HER, Of Northampton, taxed the Pennsylvania delega-
with unfaithfuness to their Understanding them
Mr.. Buchanan could have obtained the vote OF
gina for his nomination except with the understand
that the Pennsylvania delegation pledgeQ MIN ana
mseves 10 uncompromsn8 opposition TO every attempt
Involve the party in recognition Of federal competency
nsslst the construction Of Pacific railroad
.r PnEEps, Of Missouri, then moved TO suspend the
I with view to bring the Convention TO direct vote
the resolution. 49,
Pennsylvania delegation also voted against It, the
Rtion however, was carried.
Mr. Fisher again expostuated with the remaining men,
RS Of the Pennsylvania delegation.
Mr.. Inge then moved the adoption Of the resolution
Virginia voted unit in the negative pennsylvania
Ii q votes in the negative The resolution was adopted
Q vote OF 200 TO 81.
Thus the resolution finally adopted, in spite OF Viz
ia, in spite of Pennsylvania in spite OF TWO previous
ectops by the whole Convention and by he votes OF
who did not venture 70 advocate when they desired
concae the votes Of staunch strict constructonistS
their several favorite aspirants TO the nomination
Not only then, does the resolution itself admit OF no
'ch construction that now attributed to it by the
|esident-not only does II virtually deny the power
Congress 10 construct or to appropriate land or
.oney TO the construction OF Pacific Railroad,
d the unfair manner Of its adoption deprives
en- the leaning towards the exercise OF Incidental
wers which might otherwise be adduced, Of all force
respect whatsoever. constitutes no part OF the de-
sra,lc platform And if it had been fairly insert
il would afford justification at all for the position
. itch the President has since assumed.
Mr. Buchanan knew them as well as he does now, that
could never have been nominated al Cincinnati had he
evousy made known to the people Of Virginia the views
Inch he now publishes the subject OF the Pacific Rail
standing with which il was accorded lie thus
dged himself TO the views OF the people OF virginia on
lis question The action of the Pennsylvania delegation
Cincinnati confirmed the pledge. Nay, the very reso-
Mon TO which he has since REFERRED entitled to respect
ALL pledges him to oppose all pretenson oil the general
vernment to the power 10 construct or 10 appropriate
ads or money to the construction OF Pacific Railroad
td he was stl further pledged by his own voluntary
Id express avowal.
hon the 9th of june 1885, in q speech before the Key
bne Club Mr.. Buchanan gave the following unqualified
EDGE
Now that have been placed upon PLATFORM Of which
he sr,y and beng the representative OF me
Lst den ocratic party and simply James Buchanan
square my conduct according TO that PLATFORM and insert
new plank nor from II. That platform Is sui-
Entity broad and nal for the whole democratic party.
vet three months had scarcely elapsed before Mr.
|,chanan penned the following letter.
wurAriAsp, {SEAR LANCASTER Pa, Sept. H. 1856
WasnISGToN ESD Ens%sn Vi INC pemo'rau'
IsiR-I have received numerous communications from
rces California entitled TO high regard La reference to the
oposed Pacific railroad would be impossible Tor me 70
them all deem most proper and respectful 70 ad-
you general In your Official capacity In per-
ming this duty 10 the citizens California, act In perfect
with the semposed restriction contained In my
nomination for the Presidency, not to
raising new and different issues IRON
se presented the Cincinnati Convention, because that
has Itself adopted resolution In iavor Oh 'ns great
f1rk. ~,
then desre to state briefly that coucurrng with the con
utop am favorable TO the construction of the Pa
liz Railroad aud the authority 70 do this from the
power declare and the cons utonai
Inv 10 repei nvasons" Ii my Judgment Congress pos
sees he same power appropraons for the con
uctOp Of this road strictly for the purpose Oh nanona de-
ba N has Ii forBcatons at the mouth OF the har
h at nam Francisco Indeed the necessity, with view 70
bel foreign invasion from Csfop Is rs great IN me one
s as the other Neither will there be danger from inc pre-
(dent for il almost Impossible conceive at any case at
|hded by such extraordinary and uBrres7ao"sea VAS"o
A'e' ~" '''' 'SA''' ''N'' JAMES BUCHANAN.
Az We have shown the Cincinnati Convention not only
ed 10 or the power Of the general government 70
Spstruct Pacific Railroad but the delegates assembled
rtu ion aeuied possibility "a rIghtfu