9

should look with indifference upon the exercise
of powers, by the general government, under
the authority of that body, calculated to op-
press the people of the respective states?—
Would they, as citizens of the United States
and component parts of the national govern-
ment, attempt to violate their rights, or oppress
themselves,as citizens of the respective states?

In the event of a preposition being made in
congress, calculated to bear heavily on their
constituents, would not their feelings natu-
rally revert to their immediate friends—their
homes—and their firesides?

If under the authority, "to regulate com-
merce," light-houses may Le built; sand bars
and other obstructions removed, from the
mouths and beds of rivers, and sea walls erec-
ted—if, in short, it be admitted, that the works
of nature may be at all changed with a view
to promote and facilitate the operations of com-
merce or war—how can it be denied, that, for
the same purposes, roads may be graduated and
turnpiked, or intervening mountains cut through
to connect water courses?—as is contemplated
intuit great work, the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal, which is of go much importance in a
national, as well as local point of view, and
is, at this time, justly exciting an interests
deep and extensive; and which is of such a
character and magnitude, as to preclude a hope
of its bring accomplished, by the exertioned in-
divided states