MOUNTAIN SENTINEL,
EBENSBURG, PA.
THURSDAY. APRIL 4. ISiJO.
FOR CONGRESS,
GEN. JOSEPH M'DONALD,
OF CAMBRIA COUNTY,
Subject to the decision of the Democratic Con
gressional Conference.
HyTiiK ScNTixEt, has much the largest cir
eulation of any paper published in this county
and at an advertising sheet offers superior
inducements to merchants and business men
generally. Those desirous of making us cf
this medium tor extending their business can
do so by either sending their notices direct, or
through the following agents;
John Crouse, Esq., Johnstown.
CFThc Pos: Office lias been removed
to the Store Room formerly occupied by
James Rhev, three doors cast of the Dia
roond. CjtAs we have been unable to pay the
usual attention to this number of our pa
per, we beg the indulgence of our patrons.
v e will cnueavor hereafter to make up
for the deficiency.
rpThc valuable letter of our kind cor.
respondent at Harrisburg was received too
late to appear in this number. It will be
attended to in our next.
GT We learn that a bill has passed both
Houses of the Legislature, miking the
Borough of Ebcnsburg a seperatc election
district.
ijf In another column will be found the
m
reported proceedings ot the great mass
meeting which assembled at the Court
IIous on Tuesday evening last. It was
by far the largest meeting ever assembled
in Ebensburg. Indeed its very density
contributed to defeat one of the objects for
which it was called. As will be seen, there
was no expression relative to the Delegates
to the Williamsport Convention; and the
matter will we presume be submitted to
the people for their decision through their
delegates to a County Convention. But
we have not time for any comments this
week. We will defer them until our
next.
ryrhe bill erecting the new county of
Snyder, out of parts of Cambria, Indiana,
and Clearfield, passed the Home of Rep
resentatives on Monday last.
Death ol John V. Calhoun.
Intelligence was received yesterday of
the death cf the great champion of the
South, John C. Calhoun. lie died at his
residence in Washington City, on last
Sunday morning, at ten minutes past sev
en o'clock. None of his family but his
son, was present. The following partic
ulars we extract from the telegraphic des
patch for the Pittsburg Post:
Mr. Venable, of N. C, who occupied
the next room, was called, and came in.
Mr. Calhoun extended his hand. His
eyes were very bright, and he was per
fectly conscious, but he did not speak.
Mr. Venable found he had no pulse, and
poured out half a glass of Madeira, when
Mr. C. raised his head and drank it, and
then fell back upon his pillow. Mr. Orr
and Mr. Wallace came in. When the
A I r, . .
uuur tiuscu, ;jr. turned his eves in
that direction, and was perfectly conscious
ot every thing that passed. He squeezed
his son's hand convulsively; his lips mo
ved, cl nis eyes were very expressive. His
voice could not be heard, and when some
one leaned over him as if to listen, he
said. "I cannot speak." His breathing
was very hard until five minutes before
his death. One hand rested upon his
breast, and he raised the other and placed
it once or twice upon his head. Probably
the last rush of blood pained him. When
the breath left the body, it was like a long
urawn cream, it was the last and all
was over. He died as easy as an infant,
and was perlectly conscious until the last
spark or life had fled. His funeral will
take place on Tuesday.
The body will be placed in a metallic
coffin and deposited in a vault in the Con
gressional burying ground, where two of
las children are buried, and will remain
thrr; until the wishes of Mrs. Calhoun
are known.
Dr. Webster Convicted
The trial of Dr. Webster charged with
the murder of Dr. Parkman has been con
cluded , and the jury in the case have ren
dered a verdict of Guilty." The testi
mony, Although circumstantial, elicited du.
ring the -trial, was sufficient to satisfy the
nv.r.d of almost any man as to the guilt of
the accused. Thu vrrdict savs the PittsbV
rest. is. a
Md commentary upon present
Here i a man of many year,
who has gathered around him an interest
ing family; a man of education and natu
ral talent, who occupied a high place in
community; a man who belongs to the
'higher circles'," and whose sons and
daughters scorned to associate with the
"lower" or "middle" classes this man,
so situated, has been declared a murderer.
A murderer for money; for it does not ap
pear that he committed the fatal deed in a
heat of passion. Here is a fact well suit
ed to the study of the thinking men of the
world. Crime it seems, does not alone
belong to the children of poverty. Wick
edness may sometimes, like consumption,
lie dormant in a man, and be brought out
in green old age.
The following particulars of the close
of the trial are interesting.
"The galleries were crowded to excess.
In about five minutes, Professor Webster
came in,in charge of a constable, and took
his seat in the dock.
His appearance was unchanged, except
a serious dejectedness, which was appa
rent in the contraction of the muscles about
his mouth. The court came in five min
utes after.
The Clerk of the Court then said, ad
dressing the jur : "Mr. Foreman, have
yon agreed upon your verdict?"
Mr. Bryan, foreman of the jury, bowed
assent.
Clerk John W. Webster hold up your
right hand.
Prisoner rose and looked steadily and
intently upon the foreman of the jury.
Clerk Mr. Foreman look upon priso
ner; prisoner look upon the jury.
Professor Webster still maintained his
fixed and intense look upon the foreman
of the jury. .
The Clerk continued What do you
say, Mr. Foreman? Is the prisoner at the
bar guilty or not guilty?
"Guilty," was the solemn response.
The hand of the prisoner which had
hitherto been held erect fell to the bar in
front of him with a dead sound as if he
had lost all muscular action, and his head
dropped upon his breast.
He soon sat down, his
to give evidence of failing.
limbs seeming
He then closed his eyelids and bowed
his head down towards the Court.
Mr. Ryan, the foreman of the jury, at
the same time held his hand up before his
eyes as if oveicomc by the painful duty
he had performed.
An awful and unbroken silence ensued.
during which the Court Jury and Specta
tors seemed to be absorbed in their own
reflections.
The appearance of the prisoner at this
time was painful to contemplate. His
eyes were closed, and a deep sigh denoted
the load of inexpressable anguish on his
soul, and the crushing blow that had fallen
upon him.
Chief Justice Shaw broke the awful si
lence and suspense by dismissing the jury
in a voice wild with emotion.
Attorney General Clifford narrated the
facts of indictment, trial and verdict, and
moved the Court that final sentence now
be passed. The prisoner arose and was
asked by the clerk what he had to say
why the sentence of Death should not be
passed upon him. The prisoner bowed
and took his seat in silence.
Chief Justice Shaw then addressed him.
In conclusion he said: "And now nothing
remains but a solemn duty of pronouncing
sentence which the law fixes for the crime
of murder, of which you stand convicted,
which sentence is, that you, John W.
Webster, be removed from this place, and
be detained in close custody in the prison
of this county, and thence be taken at such
time and place as the Executive Govern
ment of this Commonwealth, may, by
their warrant appoint, to place of execu
tion, and then be HUNG BY THE
NECK UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD;
and may God in his infinite goodness have
mercv on vour soul."
From the N. O. Commercial Bulletin.
The Nashville Convention.
The indications still continue to become
stronger daily, that the sectional conven
tion, to be held at Nashville, will be a
complete failure. Even in Mississippi,
which was thought to be so zealous for
it, the strongest kind of Union meetings
are being held in different sections of the
State, and the conduct of the Legislature
as regards the appointment of delegates
has been denounced as an unwarrantable
assumption of power. In Virginia, the
opposition to the convention is very gen
eral and strong. In Texas, the feeling
against it is overwhelming, and not a
single county, so far as we have heard,
has yet responded to the recdmmendation
of the legislature to elect delegates.
Many of the counties have refused even
to vote on the question, and where the
vote has been taken scarcely in one coun
ty has there been twenty ballots cast in
its favor. In Georgia, the Govenor's
proclamation for the election of dele
gates has been entirely unnoticed by the
people, and in Columbus, we perceive,
they had to call a small meeting to ap
point the delegates, and recommended
the same course should be adopted in th
other counties. They are evidently un
willing to submit the subjeclto the peo
pie by a regnlat election, though so order
ed by the legislature Ttnd the Governor's
proclamation.
In tii is State, the people are sound to
the very coie, on tho subject of the Union
and opposed to all sectional conventions
The one .now proposed to be hald a
shnile nas too many strong points of
:md thc pol;.ica, fate 0ralllhuSe who may
attend it, will probably be very similar.
COUNTY MEETING.
A tremendous meeting of the democra
cy of Cambria county was held at the
Court House, in Ebensburg, on Tuesday
evening, the Second of April inst. pursu
ant to a call of the County Committee.
There could not have been less than one
thousand persons present.
On motion, Michael Hasson Esq', was
called to the chair. Patrick Regan, Hon.
Obed Edson, Col. John, M'Gough, John
G. Given and James Farren, were appoin
ted Vice Presidents, and Mathew M. Ad
ams and James RitHo Secretaries. ;
On motion, Gen. Joseph M'Donald ad
dressed the meeting. At his suggestion,
the chair appointed a committee of thir
teen to draft a preamble and resolutions,
expressive of the sense of the meeting.
The chair appointed the following gen
tlemen as the committee on resolutions viz:
Joseph M'Donald, Thomas A. Maguire,
John G. Given, John Kean, Peter Dough
erty, John M'Mullin, James Carroll, James
Potts, Michael M'Guire, Thomas Collins,
James Myers, Patrick M'Coy, and James
Smith.
Thc commitee, through Major Thomas
A. Maguire reported the folowing pream
ble and resolutions, which were unani
mously adopted.
The Government of the United States
was established by the People, has been
protected and continued by them, and
must be perpetuated by their power. It
is emphatically a Government ofthe Peo
ple, in which every citizen has a' voice,
and exercises a proportionate share of
sovereignty. It is this relation between
the Government and the citizen that con
stitutes a democracy, and so long as that
connection exists, uncontrolled and un
tramclled, so long will our free Institutions,
based upon thc Constitution, adopted by
the wisdom and foresight of the patriots
of the Revolution, be maintained in their
original purity.
In all popular Governments there may
occur criseses, in which the patriotism
and virtue of the masses may be tested.
As the heart in the human system sends
forth the blood to its extremities, so do
the people give life and character to our
Government. When the existence of
that Government formed by the popular
will, is threatened when the well-being
of the People demands an expression of
their views, it is proper that they should
assemble together and proclaim their re
solves to the world, that their servants, to
whom they have delegated legislative and
executive powers, may be influenced and
guided thereby.
While this is not only the privilege but
the duty of the whole People, it becomes
the peculiar obligation of the Democratic
party in its local organizations, to act
promptly in all emergencies, and at such
times as thc perpetuity of the Constitu
tional Governmen; of the Country may be
placed in jeopardy. It is mainly attribu
table to the promulgation and' influence of
the pure principles of LKlpocracy, mat
our Government has stodti' thus long.
That party has been a shield to the Con
stitution, protecting it ironi innovation and
subversion.
Now. that"the American Union, formed
by the joint exertions of the patriots of the
Revolution, is menaced now, that the
fiend spirit of disorganization stalks boldly
forth through the land, and invokes the
aid of traitors to subvert that Government
under which we have grown to be the!
proudest nation on which the sun shines,
we, the Democracy of Cambria couuty.j
composing an integral part of the great
Democratic party of the nation, have as
sembled to give expression to our feelings,
our fears and our hopes,. in relerence to
the great question of the Union of the
States, and, at the same time, to speak our
will on matters connected with the local
interests of the party. Therefore,
Resolved, That, in common with the
great Democratic party of the nation, we
hold it as a cardinal principle, to give
strict construction to the National Consti
tution, and that, as all power'not plainly
delegated to the. General Government, re
miins with the States, we are opposed to
all innovations upon the rig&s of the
States, and are favorable to protecting
them individually in the enjoyment of the
guarantees of that Constitution. '
Resolved, That the institution of sla
very in the States is one of a local char
acter, over which the States respectively
have entire control, and with which the
General Government can not interfere,
without assumption of power not delegated
in.the Constitution.
'Resolved, That we view the discussion
ofthe abstract question of the Constitu
tional power of Congress to prevent or
permit Ihe existence ol slavery in tne ter
ritories, as uncalled for and injurious in
its tendency. "We view it as a matter of
no importance to place restrictions upon
States applying for admission, which re
strictions are not required oy the Nation
al Constitution, and which might be over
come by State enactments after admission.
Resolved, That we are favorable to the
immediate admission of California with
her Constitution as she has adopted it.
Having complied with all the Constitu
tional prerequisites, her right to admission
can only be resisted by those who are
deaf to the voice of patiiotism and callous
to a sense of justice.
Resolved. That in all? trials and under
nil rircmnshnrM. the Democracy of.
l & ww WW ml
Pennsylvania will prove, true to the Amer
ican Union. That while the entire party
of the State give a fervent response to the
motto, "may it be perpetual,' hone are
more sincere than thc Democracy of
"little Cambria."
Resolved, That the Democracy of Cam - ,
bria county take advantage of the present)
orcaion of renewing tlicir vow of fealty
to the candidates and principles ofthe par
ty, and that having assembled for the pur
pose in part of appointing delegates to
represent them in the Democratic Conven
tion, to nominate a Canal Commissioner,
which is to assemble at Wiliiamsport on
the 29 of May next, we hereby pledge
ourselves to abide the nomination there
and then made, and to give it a candid
and enthusiastic support.
Resolved, That the democracy of Cam
bria do most respectfully solicit the consid
eration, on the part ot their brethren ofthe
other counties composing this congression
al district, ofthe claims of our county to
the next candidate for Congress, and that
fofthe purpose of presenting this subject
to the counties of Westmoreland and'Bed-
ford, the chair apppoint a committee of
five to take charge of it, and to use such
means as to them may seem advisable for
accomplishing the object in view.
' .Resolved, That
be Congessional Conferees, to meet the
Conferees, appointed by the democracy of
w estmoreiand and by that ot liedford, at
such time and place, as may be by them
determined upon, and that our Conferees
be instructed to use all honorable means to
secure the nomination of
of Cambria county, as the next democratic
candidate for Congress.
Resolved, That be the
representative delegate to represent the de
mocracy of Cambria county in the Will
iamsport convention, for nominating a Ca
nal Commisioner, to assemble on the 29th
of May next.
Resolved, That the thanks of this mee
ting are hereby tendered to the democracy
of Indiana county, for the just appreciation
of the rights of Cambria county in the se
lection of a Senatorial delegate to represent
this Senatorial district in the Williamsport
convention, they, by the resolution, adop
ted at their meeting at court week, having
ratified in advance, the nomination that
may be made by Cambria.
Resolved, That of this
county, be recommended as Senatorial
delegate in the Williamsport convention,
and that, as Indiana has already endorsed
it, the democracy of Clearfield county be
respectfully requested to give it their sanc
tion; and that the Chairman of this meet
ing be requested to communicate this res
olution to the democracy of Clearfield ac-
jfompaningjt.with the resolution adopted
by the democracy of Indiana.
Resolved, That we view with admira
tion the course of our estimable Congress
man, Hon. Job Mann. He has realized
the expectation of his warmest friends,
and, by his undeviating adherence to, and
inflexible support of democratic principles
in the Congress of the Nation, he has en
deared himself to the democracy of this
Congressional district in general, and to
that of Cambria county in particular.
His unwavering: devotion to the carse of
citizen soldiers, as manifested in his ardu
ous efforts to procure them their justjde
mands on the National Treasury, is living
evidence that his heart is in the right place.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this
meetirg be published in the "Mountain
Sentinel" of Ebensburg, the "Mountain
Echo" of Johnstown, and the "Democrat
ic Union" and "Keystone" at Harrisburg.
On motion of James Carroll, the blank
in resolution relative to the nomination of
a candidate for Congress was filled by
inserting the name of Gen. Joseph Mc
Donald of Cambria county.
On motion of Col. John Kean, the blank
in the resolution relative Congessional con
ferees, was filled up, by inserting the
names of Michael Hasson, M. M. Adams
and Thomas Collins Esqs.
On motion, Thomas A. Maguire, M. M.
Adams, Thomas Colhns, James Riffle,
John M'Ginley and John B. Hoover were
appointed tellers to lake a vote on the se
lection of delegates to the State conven
tion. There existing a diversity of opinion as
to the selection of delegates to the Will
iamsport convention, and, it being impos
sible to obtain a fair and correct expres
sion as to the choice of said delegates,
owing to the immense crowd present, the
meeting was adjourned sine die, with the
recommendation of the chair, that the de
mocracy of the county should assemble in
their respective townships, and elect two
delegates from each, to meet in county
convention at Ebensburg, and then and
there determine upon the choice of dele
gates to the Williamsport convention.
M. HASSON, Chairman.
M. M. Adams, Secretary.
From the St. Paul (Min.)Chron., March 2.
Interesting from Mine sola.
The Hudson Bay Company Depreda
tion on the Red River Frontier.
On Tuesday last, two voyageurs ar
rived from Pembina, by means of a dog
train, making the trip through in eigh
teen days. They brought considerable
of a mail, and from numerous letters for
warded by the trader of the American
Fur company at that remote post, N. W.
Kiitson.Esq., and others, we are enabled
to glean the followig interesting news:
The Hudson's Bay company still con
tinue their aggressions on the American
side ofthe line Two of their emissaries,
Charles Grant and Geo. Flap, are tra
ding within our territories without lice.ise,
and others are making preparations for
the same purpose. Flap was implicated
in the transaction which took place last
summer on the plains, between the half
breeds and Indians, and which was nigh
causing the murder of several of the lat
ter, owing to the sale of liquor, which
had been brought into the country by
him and his associates. Grant procures
nearly all the goods used in his trade di
rectly from the Hudson Biy company.
lie also uses liquor in the trade, which!
he also procures from the same quarter.!
I bus the legitimate trade ot American
a : : i . -. i
citizens vn nmciiuiw auw is uoi oiuy
brought into competition with the capital
and influence of that powerful foreign
monopoly, but the damnable aid of ardent
spirits is called into requsition to assist
its agents in their acts of aggression and
usurpation. If a check be not put to
these proceedings by, the strong arm cfi
our government, our traders will be com
pelied to abandon their business in that
quarter, fcour northern frontier will, ere
long, witness a scene'of blood and carnage
revolting to humanity and the age In
which we live. There is no reason
whatever to suppose the persons named
above have come upon our territory with
intention of becoming citizens. Grant is
the son of one of the Royal company's
magistrates a man who has taken every
occasion to abuseand oppress our citizens
and the son is not unlike the father.
The settlement within our borders has
been increased by the addition of several
familiesrom the Selkirk settlementsince
last summer, und several more are making
preparations to immigrate in the spring, j
ftlajor Wood s visit to Pembina last sum
mer has given confidence to manj-, ofthe
future support and protection of our gov
ernament; but the officials on the other
side are industrious in promulgating opin
ions that the only security for their lives
and property is to remain where they are.
It is, therefore, absolutely necessary, if
our government intends to encourage
settlement on that frontier, that a suffi
cient force should be sent into thc coun
try without delay, to put a stop to the
continual aggressions from the neighbor
ing colony of Great Britain
Most ofthe Indians to the east of Pem
bina, owing to the disappearance of the
game from their winter grounds, and the
failure of their corn and rice, were in a
state of starvation. Mr. Kittson was
doing his utmost to relieve them; but it
was so difficult, in the winter season, to
transport provisons into their country,
that he was fearful he could accomplish
but little. To the west they were living
in abundance, as the plains were cover d
with buffalo.
Information has been received at Pem
bina, that the Mandan tribe of Indians on
the Missouri, which it will be remem
bered, was greatly reduced, a few years
since, by the ravages of the small pox, is
now threatened with entire extinction by
theJSioux. Every day one or two fall
victims to tne cruelty of their unrelenting
enemies. The Mandans are desirous
that the government should interpose,
and check these bloody incursions into
their country.
Heavy Steamboat Bobbery.
The St. Louis Ujxion of the 22d ult.
contains an'advertisejnent, signed John
Grigsby, a citizen of California, and David
F. McClellan, of Jackson Co., Mississippi,
offering reward of 83000for the recovery
of a sum of money, about $12,000, which
was stolen from the steamer Ne Plus
Ultra on Tuesday the 12th inst., ofjSll,
400 in money. They were passengers
on the boat on their return from California.
The robbery was perpetrated, probably
whilst the boat was lying at the Levee at
New Orleans, but was not discovered
until an hour after she had left port for
St. Louis. The money was m a trunk
in their state room, which was broken
open with a chisel, fc the monej' extract,
ed.since which time nothinghas traspired
that would lead to its recovery. Messrs.
Grigsby and McClellan came passengers
in the Georgia to Havanna; in the jSvon
to Mobile, and reached New Orleans only
a few hours previous to their starting for
for St. Louis.
At New Orleans they exchanged their
gold dust for gold, principally, 'consisting
of A me ican Eagles and Sovereigns, and
with it took passage with other returning
emigrants for St. Louis, on the Ne Plus
Ultra. Ofthe money lost 8G.100 belonged
to Mr. Grigsby, the Tesidue to Mr. Mc
Clillan. The Lakes. The entire line of lake
coast is two thousand miles. The follow
ing is the result of the survey ofthe Uni
ted States Topographical Engineers:
Lake Champlain loO miles, greatest
width 12, average width 8; Lake Ontario
180, greatest width'5It averege width 40;
Lake Erie 240, great width 57, average
width 37; Lake St. Clair 18, greatest
width 2o, average width 18; Lake Huron
260, greatest width (not including the ex
tensive bay of Georgian, itself 150 miles
long, averaging 45 miles in width) 150,
average width 70; Lake Michigan 340,
average width 59; Lake Superior 420,
greatest width 135, average width 100
I hese lakes may be considered as con
nected throughout their whole extent
Lake Chamnlain connetswilh Lake On
tario by means of the river Richelieu, the
lock and dam navigation of St. Lawrnce
river. Ottawa river, the Rideau canal
through Cannda, and the Champlain and
Erie canals of New York. Lake Ontario
is conected with Lake Erie by the Well
and canal. Lake Erie is connected with
Lake St. Clair by the deep and navigable
strait of Detroit, 25 miles long. Lake
St. Glair is connected with Lake Huron
dy the pnavicrdble strait St. Clair. 32
ml W
miles long. Lake Huron is connected
with Lake Michigan bv the deep and
mi
wide stait of Mackinaw, 42 miles long.
Buffalo Express.
Grcelu for President. is said tha
an effort will be made bv the Northern
Free Soil party to concentrate their
strength in the next Presidential contest
upon Horace Grccly, of thc N. Y. Tri
bune, for President.
r The Great Pacific Kailroad.
"We are not to wait," said Mr. W
, ster, in one of his noblest speeches t;n
i ....
puouc miscuiels
come; till the env.
ernmentis overthrown; or liberty itself
put m extreme jeopardy." These 'striking
axioms, spoken years ago, upon a great
national question, may well be applied to
the frequent attempts to overthrow
authority of the Federal Constitution-L
the fundamental law of the Republic. W0
see, in one section of the Countrv.
atical party assailing that - Constitution
with the utmost violence. We see a pro
posal made, in another quarter, to amend
the Constitution, (or the purpose of carry
ing into effect an absurd theory. And, "in
our very midst, there are not wanting
those who boldly assert, that a law passed
in a moment of indiscretion, directly in
violation of the Constitution, cannot and
dare not be repealed. Truly is it the duty
of those who believe that that sacred in
strument is the bond that unites these
States together, and the vital spirit that
keeps Liberty itself alive, to rally in
support.
One of the most fearful elem
- wa
have yet been displayed in hostility to th
federal Constitution, is that of calling upon
the general Government to expend mil
lions of dollars in works of internal im
provements tmong the several States. It
is wholly without Constitutional authority,
and must Jead at last to mighty public
evils, if not to a wide-spread and over
whelming national bankruptcy. The first
serious breach, upon the barriers which
the universal opinion of the framers ofthe
Constitution had for more than thirty
years thrown in the way of the assump
tion of this power by Congress, was du
ring the administration of John Quincy
Adams. It is true some trifling appropri
ations were made during the term of Mr.
Monroe, though he entertained and ex
pressed the opinion, that Congress had no
power, under the Constitution, to "adopt
and execute a system of internal improve
ments." Within ten years from the first
grant of public money to such purposes,
more than two hundred millions of dol
lars were asked for from the National
Treasury, for the purpose of internal im
provements. In 1830, the heroic Jackson
threw himself into the breach, to arrert
the tide of demoralization which threaten
ed to sweep away the strongest safe guartls
ofthe Constitution, and to whelm the na
tion in one sea of debt. He was sustaned
by the amplest and most irrefragable au
thorities. President Jefferson denied that
congress possessed such power .as is
claimed for it by the advocates of internal
improvements by the general government.
In 1806, in a message to Congress, he
proclaimed the opinion, which he re-affirmed
in 1825, that in order to apply the
funds of the general government to the
purpose alluded to, would require an
amendment of the Constitution by the
consent ofthe States, "because the objects
now recommended are not among those
enumerated in the Constitution, and to
which it permits the public money to be
applied." President Madison, in his
message of March 2. 1817, declared that
the power to regulate commerce amonjr
the several States cannot include a power
to construct roads and canals, and to im
prove the navigation of water courses, in
order to facilitate, promote, and secuie
such commerce, without a latitude of con
struction departing from the ordinary im
port of the terras, strengthened by thf
known inconveniences which doubtless led
to the grant of this remedial power to
Congress." President Monroe, in hii
message, 4th of May, 1822, declares, that
in all the measures preliminary to the
adoption of the Federal Constitution, the
subject of internal improvements by thc
General Government, was not "mentioned
or even glanced at." "It is manifest,"
he says, "that the regulation of trade with
the several States was altogether a secon
dary object." "If the power necessary
to this system of improvement is included,
under either branch of this grant, I should
suppose it was the first rather than the
second. The pretension to it, however,
under that branch, has never been set up.
In support of the second, no reason has
been assigned, which appears to have the
least weight."
Every sound Democrat will remember
with Tpleasure, the noble veto ol Jame
K. Polk, of the river and harbor bill, ni
to Congress on the 15th of December,
1847. He was denounced for it vehe
mently by the entire opposition, and by
certain Democrats, who had made up their
minds to obtain bounties from the public
treasury for their particular interests. We
command the following powerlul passages
from that able State paper, to all thos
who are now invited to participate in us
movement got up to bleed the public trea
sury out of untold millions, for the con
struction of a railroad almost without end,
and over a route which is not generally
regarded as practicable:
"How forcibly does tho history ot inn
subject illustrate the tendency of power to
concentration in the hands ot the i.enerai
Government. The power to Improve
their own harbors and rivers wag clearly
reserved to the States, who were to be
aided by tonnage duties levied and collect
ed by themselves, with the consent of
Congress. For thirty-four years, im
provements were carried on under that
system, and so careful was Congress not
to interfere, under any implied power,
with the soil or jurisdiction of the States,
that they did not even assume the por
to erect light-houses or build piers, with
out first purchasing the ground, with tne
pnnsrnl of thr States, and obtaining Jurl!"
diction over it. At length, after the laps
of thirty-three years, an act is passed pro
viding for the examination of certain ob
structions at the mouth of one or two hsr