Life of Abraham Lincoln : presenting his early history, political career, and speeches in and out of Congress . been against thepower ; but it is insisted that quite as many, as great, and asgood, have been for it; and it is shown that, on a full surveyof the whole, Chancellor Kent was of opinion that the argu-ments of the latter wore vastly superior. This is but theopinion of a man; but who was that man? He was one ofthe ablest and most learned lawyers of his age, or of anyother age. It is no disparagement to Mr. Polk, nor, indeed,to any one who devotes much time to politics, to be placed far
Life of Abraham Lincoln : presenting his early history, political career, and speeches in and out of Congress . been against thepower ; but it is insisted that quite as many, as great, and asgood, have been for it; and it is shown that, on a full surveyof the whole, Chancellor Kent was of opinion that the argu-ments of the latter wore vastly superior. This is but theopinion of a man; but who was that man? He was one ofthe ablest and most learned lawyers of his age, or of anyother age. It is no disparagement to Mr. Polk, nor, indeed,to any one who devotes much time to politics, to be placed farbehind Chancellor Kent as a lawyer. His attitude was mostfavorable to correct conclusions. He wrote coolly and inretirement. He was struggling to rear a durable monumentef fame; and he well knew that truth and thoroughly soundreasoning were the only sure foundations. Can the partyopinion of a party President, on a law question, as this purely18, ba at all compared or set in opposition to that of such anaaj, in such an attitude, as Chancellor Kent? This Constitutional question will probably never be better. clfE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Jf settled than it is, until it shall pass under judicial considera-tion ; but I do think that no man whc is clear on this ques-tion of expediency need feel his conscience much priciedupon this. Mr. Chairman, th-s President seems to think that enoughmay be done in tb-} way of improvements, by means of tun-nage duties, under State authority, with the consent of theGeneral Government. Now, I suppose this matter of tunnageduties is well enough in its own sphere. I suppose it may beefficient, and perhaps sufficient, to make slight improvementsand repairs in harbors already in use, and not much out ofrepair. But if I have any correct general idea of it, it mustbe wholly inefficient for any general beneficient purposes ofimprovement. I know very little, or rather nothing at all, ofthe practical matter of levying and collecting tunnage duties;but I suppose o
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