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Editorial
June 22, 1824
The Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
The editorial praises an extract from Senator Holmes' speech in the U.S. Senate opposing a bill for surveys of roads and canals, arguing it exceeds constitutional powers and advances Federalist principles despite their political defeat in 1800.
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INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
[The Editor of the Boston Courier, in publishing some extracts from the speech of Mr. Holmes in the Senate of the United States on the Bill to procure surveys for roads and canals, pronounced it to be "one of the best which that bill called forth." We have not been accustomed to introduce the name or the productions of this gentleman into our columns; but the extract we give below contains so much truth and justice, that we have no hesitation in recommending it to the consideration of our readers. We are unable, in this paper, to give any further extracts, which we would readily do, if we could, without excluding other articles, that we are not at liberty to omit.]
"Were those gentlemen here, who formed the constitution, I might with confidence appeal to them if it had been believed that it contained the power claimed by this bill, whether it could possibly have been adopted?
No. Sir, the truth is, this doctrine carries us much further than we ever went before; and one class of politicians, I mean the federalists, have a right to hold their heads high. When one nation or people conquer another, and settle down in their country, it not unfrequently happens, that the conquerors adopt the laws, manners, customs, and creed of the vanquished— especially if the latter have the most intelligence and civilization. I trust this was not the case in the victory of 1800; but it some way or other so happens, that we have not only adopted the strongest federal maxims, but have gone much further. And if we establish the principle proposed in this bill, that party may congratulate themselves, that, though their power has been lost, their principles have in this instance triumphed."
[The Editor of the Boston Courier, in publishing some extracts from the speech of Mr. Holmes in the Senate of the United States on the Bill to procure surveys for roads and canals, pronounced it to be "one of the best which that bill called forth." We have not been accustomed to introduce the name or the productions of this gentleman into our columns; but the extract we give below contains so much truth and justice, that we have no hesitation in recommending it to the consideration of our readers. We are unable, in this paper, to give any further extracts, which we would readily do, if we could, without excluding other articles, that we are not at liberty to omit.]
"Were those gentlemen here, who formed the constitution, I might with confidence appeal to them if it had been believed that it contained the power claimed by this bill, whether it could possibly have been adopted?
No. Sir, the truth is, this doctrine carries us much further than we ever went before; and one class of politicians, I mean the federalists, have a right to hold their heads high. When one nation or people conquer another, and settle down in their country, it not unfrequently happens, that the conquerors adopt the laws, manners, customs, and creed of the vanquished— especially if the latter have the most intelligence and civilization. I trust this was not the case in the victory of 1800; but it some way or other so happens, that we have not only adopted the strongest federal maxims, but have gone much further. And if we establish the principle proposed in this bill, that party may congratulate themselves, that, though their power has been lost, their principles have in this instance triumphed."
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Infrastructure
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Internal Improvements
Roads And Canals
Constitutional Power
Federalists
Victory Of 1800
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Holmes
Framers Of The Constitution
Federalists
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Opposition To Federal Funding For Roads And Canals
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Expanded Federal Power
Key Figures
Mr. Holmes
Framers Of The Constitution
Federalists
Key Arguments
The Constitution Would Not Have Been Adopted If It Included Power For Such Internal Improvements.
The Bill's Doctrine Expands Federal Authority Beyond Prior Limits.
It Revives Federalist Principles Despite Their Loss In The 1800 Election.