176 CONGKESSIONAL FKOCEEDINGS. 



see why they should want a printer, for that can not involve an}^ great 

 principles. 



Mr. Calhoun. No man can suppose that the Senate and House of 

 Representatives can perform the functions of such an institution. I, 

 however, spoke of what was proper and within our power, and of that 

 alone. The Senator from Arkansas appears to think that we have the 

 power to do what we please within the District of Columbia, provided 

 the means are granted to us. But, in the first place, we must look 

 carefully at the extent of our own power. This Government is a trust, 

 established b}" the States, with a specific capacity, education not 

 included, and all the powers which are not granted are expressly 

 reserved to the States. And when they were granted, it was with the 

 profoundest jealousy, for it was apprehended that they would be so 

 great as to utterly absorb the State governments. And now, after the 

 question of the power of the General Government on the subject of 

 education has been settled for fifty years, a foreigner makes a donation 

 to the Government in trust for this object; and the question arises, 

 Can we accept it ? Sir, we have no more right to do this than to estab- 

 lish a national institution in Virginia or Marjland. The government 

 of Pennsylvania is a government of unlimited power within its bounda- 

 ries, and a donation there made to the government of Pennsylvania is 

 in a very different condition from one made to ours, which is wisely 

 limited, because it might otherwise absorb all the power of the States. 



When the charter for Columbian College was passed I was absent; 

 but I understood that it was established on funds collected from all 

 the Baptists throughout the United States. Yet I never recognized 

 the power of Congress to establish that institution. But here what are 

 we going to do? We are to accept a donation, to do with it what the 

 Constitution does not allow. But, it is asked, what are we to do with 

 the money? There is no difficulty in that; it must be returned to the 

 heirs. This is a question of vast magnitude, and no one knows the 

 consequences which may grow out of it. I have heard a gentleman 

 from Philadelphia saj^ that of all the curses of that city the Girard 

 donation was the greatest. Here we are to commence with half a mil- 

 lion, and no one knows how much more is to be added. Sir, I trust 

 this measure will be met decidedly and voted down. 



Mr. Sevier. The power of this Government within this District is 

 just as ample as that of any State within its limits. It is declared to 

 be exclusive, and we have as much right to do anything within the 

 District of Columbia as any State has to do the same thing within her 

 limits. And what is now proposed? You are merely put in posses- 

 sion of half a million, over which you are made the trustees, for 

 philanthropic and patriotic purposes, and the whole object now is to 

 execute that trust in a proper manner. Sir, I should be opposed 

 to the bill if it were going to take any power from the States; but it 



