Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-01-20
Interesting Debate.

in the United States House OF Representa-
tive, yesterday, upon the Centennial Appro-
%priation bill:
MIR. Tucker, of Virginia. spoke in opposi-
ton to the bill, and said that the path Of duty
that lay before him 10 regard 10 the Centennial
bill was as clear as 1t ever was in regard to any
question that had ever been brought to his
c,nsideratioD. What was proposed t. be ceie-
brated 10 this Centennial year? Was 1t pro
posed to have a material exhibition only, or
vas ii TO be all exhibition worI by OF the great
moral principles that we're to be illustrated by
the anniversary OF independence? 10 bis view
there were three great principles that uDder.
lay the declaration OF independence. These
were: The principles of Individual liberty,
the principles Of local government in the strug-
gle against centralized power, aud the principle
OF the exemption Of American destiny from the
controlling influence OF European politics. He
would unite 10 celebrating the Centennial au-
adversary DO these three principles. Let him
see that the liberty of the citizen is secure
against arbitrary power; that the freedom CT
independeoce-what Chief Justice Chase
terms the anatomy-of the States was safe
against the arbitrary usurpatioH of Federal
power, and that American destiny was to be
guided alone by its OWL policy aud be free from
the Influence Of European policy. The there will
be indeed a Centennial anniversary. Thespirlt
of the Centennial was obedience to the Cons.l-
tuliJu The greatest Invention Of Amc7lcai
genius has been 'cit out OF view corlreiy sud
that W IS the absolute suOordlnation Of govern
uientai power 10 the rigid, lnheSlbic, uubcnd.
ing rule OF the Constitution.
Mr.. fucker then proceeded to argue against
the c0nsttu.ioDalty OF The pending measure.
Mr.. Hoar, Of NJ: slchusetts, a.ked whether,
wien the Constitution delegated to Congress,
ccriain %natlonal powers, Including the taking
OF Il national attitude toward foreign %DatIors,
it did not intcnd that such expenditures tor
ornaments for national dignity az were usual to
nations welding those powers should be made
by C0ugrcss-as for instance the ornameutlug
OF the %uatioGal Capitol with dome costipg ten
mililous, the building OF a tomb tor General
Washington. the receiving Of Lafayette, a ma
tioual bcnctactor, 10 a national snip and proVl-
ding for his Expenses. Were not these expen-
diturrs wi. hja reasonable and suitable limits,
contained III the gran, of the national power,
to he "xclcise Of which with suitable dignity
such Expenditures were necessary; aud was not
The celebration of the Centennial, once IN a
hundred years, one of chose properly alteudaot
aud lm yl!"i expenditures?
Mr.. Tucker said he was very much pleased to
res,oud t. the question, but ne asked the gen
t!cinao rom Massachusetts, to point out to him
where the word "uatlouai, 10 respect OF pow
er or anything else, occurred In the Coustltu-
tor.
Mr. Hoar. The power 10 levy war, to con-
ciuJc peace, TO establish Commerce, mcaDs 4
patton 10 every llue where that power Is
granted.
NJ. Tucker. II that is what the gentleman
calls national power, | understood MIN, but
there is no such thing in the Constitution as a
power 10 levy war. There is power to dcclare
war and to raise and support armies.
Mr.. Hoar. Aud to levy is after it is declared.
MIR. Tucker. That is cot in tie C0nsti utlon.
The power TO create and maintain a navy, and
to MAKE rules for the regulation OF the lard
and naval service covers the whole question OF
what the genttemap from Massachusetts, means.
MIR Lawrence, Of OoiO, called the attention
OF Mr.. tucker 10 4 letter from George Wash
iugtOu, transmitting the Constitution to Con-
grcsS, 10 Whlrh the government Is called na-
tional gov"runenr.
>Ir. Tucker. | know it. | admit it. I said
that the word 'nailonai' was not in the Con-
slltutipn. aud the gentleman has not found it
in it. He 6uds it outside OF it. That is ex-
ATTY what | say.
49,. L. "os u NAS iiobS VI SlS
mcu VITO mace TIE Constitution.
! Mr. Tucker. The men did not III Ike il; no
one map made it, and the federal convention
did not make it. II the gentleman wishes to
know VIM III de it, / say the States madeit.
Mr.. Hoiuau suggested that the uonstitu-
ton used the words, I'VE, the people,"
Mr.. Fucker replied that the could not go
into that OF question. There was nothing in
the world when would crafty him more if be
mad time. He would like to have INQUIRIES
made from all sides on that question. for he
really thought from the standpoint which he
occupied that he could answer them, but his
friend tr1m Indiana would excuse MIN if he
would uot go into that question now; at any
future period be would be. ready to discuss it.
George Washington was the first great rebe! iu
til country, aud he veutured to say to the gen
tIeman from Ohio that George Washington
was in the view Of the law Il parjared rebel, for
be was IN officer 10 bis Majesty 3 army, and he
(Mr. Tuck RI took it tor granted that h. sworc
t. support the crown aud then Went into re-
ballion.
Mr.. Garfield. Did he hold o commission in
the British arm at the time of the revolu-
tion?
Mr.. Tucker. No, Sir.
Mr.. Garfield. Then | think he did not COM
M perjury.
NJ. fucker. Then you claim that his oath
only !ast.d So loug as he held his commission?
Mr.. Garfield. Ii ceased when his commis
sion expired.
Mr.. Tucker. But he resigned.
Mr.. Garfield. He did pot resign.
Mr.. Tucker. He did resign.
Mr.. arheld. He was not an officer at the
time.
Mr.. Tucker. Why, the gentleman does not
k0uw the history OF his own couotry.
Mr.. Garfield. Did be resign To take service
against the crown?
Mr.. Tucker. On, no; that is another thing.
Mr.. Garfield. He was trying to get service
in Great Britain before the war and failed.
Mr.. Tucker. He resigned and then took
service IN the rebellion. When the gentleman
was speaking Of the men of the South the
other day lie spoke of those who resigned and
at;erward took service on The Confederate side.
Mr.. Garfield. | cid not speak Of those who,
having resigned, took service; but | 81, X of
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