The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1860-02-25
the PRESIDENTS vETo MESSAGE

We have perased with much Interest and
satisfaction the Presidents objections to the
bill passed at the last session Or Congress, for
the Improvement OF the 6ats If iiie III. Hair
River. as explanatory Of The ftfue c~unssitus
tiopsl ground against the exercise Of this
power By Congress.
a system u internal improvements By the
General Gevernaacnt has always been adeo
Gated BY these who are in Easer of q tatitudi-
marian construction Of the Constitution and
tite POLICY of sucl, M exercise al power by
Congress has beel, aeknosslt dyed US 0 s,rons
plank III the platforms pf most parties opposed
TO The democracy, eyer Stree The q~nestion was
FIRST raised, thirty years after The pdspaian OF
Thy Federal Constitution.
The advocates for such d policy contend
that the power in question is DERIVED iron
iiaatL cause OF the Consultation which give
the power 10 . regulate commerce with snrcigt
~aalisHss. and sann & The several States. and
with The lsFdian It be-.' The power 10 rcgI
lasse,., certainly dies not convey The power /,
create. if 50. II ssaild have scented very absurt.
III the trainers Of the Constitution. ii ihH
particular grant Of power !. 10 coip or Great,
money u have. added that other power :. l.
regdaate The salne thereof
The poser q, regulate Commerce. says Chic.
Justice Marshall, rs The power I'd prescribe
the riases by which commerce il ID b. governed.
Again, MI. Madison ssates that ..fte pave,
~ regulate COMMERCE aI,senlg The several Staies
can nat include tile power Ii, ct,,isfruc. road
aud caDals and 10 improve the navigation Il
watersrourses III order 10 iec.iiiate, "tiruinctt
aid secure snch commerce without q latitude
ad construction departing from the nrdinar,
import of tie tel ms, Strengthened by iht
aktW,wn inconvenience which doubtless It'd III
HE grant ct this se,ntdsa! power Of Congress
Y o,.lisaaeting legislation on Tie part III til
States in regard ~ The imposition .f duties.
IN Eneiggil cairs,nerce prsvians y. the adoption.
i'll tis. Consultation 40 duabt afforded lie up
lsstsmrity I,sr the correction IT the eyss.s gs,s N
AiH9g out Qf slscihsan snineg.,nisni Of Interests
Hence hi The adoption II the Constitution,
pstwcf Wa cs.uFe "a nPen Cong ross. 81, Il. fRgH-
hate ctsiinnerse, That duties might he nn;Il,riitt
iss aif ile Ssates composing the copisderaes !:
busiies providing ,het no ! preference shall b.
gwen iii any regulation, oil comu,erca III reva-
roe 10 The ports If one State over those Of
aiSothes' Resident Buchanan, vasy Justly
remarks that " If the construction oft d hafbor
~ deef. ming the cllannehsaf d river be d regnsl
laiisn st commerce, this wisiid give the ports
uf the State within which thee Improvement
were niade q preference over the ports ii other |
States, and thus BE d violation u the gufsii
tuition. T s s
Soon after The adoption &c flle Constitution
Congress PASSED i law 2 fur the establishment
and support Ut lighthouses. beactyis. bnoy-
aud public PIERS I s.d this legislation has BE-
cong the settied policy Ut tbts guyearinleat ii
cons leiatioi II The ~salit.pssilI nifty conferred
iinEthe commercial nteIefhanas,e Vi every State
alike. s%8
The improvement u Z rlifttiicpnn''aar Or 81 arbs,r, n
the Deepening AZ . particular river il purely
y heal matter, aud hut little benefit Gao lie
derived except by those whn are cau,igaonss ID
sllch Improvement. S.cll i work shoasd be
dt,.aA ss,a the exlvnses def.ased tyi ahe State i.
which 4 i ssituated, and not . TIC General
Government.
Theseyesal siateseiave the power under lie
provisions MI the Constitution. bs consent IL
Congress q, levy tonnage duties ufanu dau,e-
aic shiIspiug. and mani. If Them have adopted
Thu policy with profit and interest 10 them
seliser.
n The STATES generally composing Tie fed
ersl Union would iiiiaiu,gnrats This policy, ami
MA l.ok % the Ge,rral t;~eysrnuen,. n,or,
aaf,sid feeling, ::iaere i~faiernal regard, and i
higher degree ~ national CONCORD would exist
atl.il,ang ~. sssass s29i