His primary object was, however, to secure an easy communication between the states, which the free intercourse now to be opened seemed to call for. The political obstacles being removed, a removal of the natural ones, as far as possible, ought to follow.
Mr. RANDOLPH seconded the proposition.
Mr. KING thought the power unnecessary.
Mr. WILSON. It is necessary to prevent a state from obstructing the general welfare.
Mr. KING. The states will be prejudiced and divided into parties by it. In Philadelphia and New York, it will be referred to the establishment of a bank, which has been a subject of contention in those cities. In other places, it will be referred to mercantile monopolies.
Mr. WILSON mentioned the importance of facilitating, by canals, the communication with the western settlements. As to banks, he did not think, with Mr. King, that the power, in that point of view, would excite the prejudices and parties apprehended. As to mercantile monopolies, they are already included in the power to regulate trade.
Col. MASON was for limiting the power to the single case of canals. He was afraid of monopolies of every sort, which he did not think were by any means already implied by the Constitution, as supposed by Mr. Wilson.
The motion being so modified as to admit a distinct question, specifying and limited to the case of canals,—
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, ay, 3; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, no, 8.
The other part fell, of course, as including the power rejected.
Mr. MADISON and Mr. PINCKNEY then moved to insert, in the list of powers vested in Congress, a power
"to establish a university, in which no preferences or distinctions should be allowed on account of religion."
Mr. WILSON supported the motion.
Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS. It is not necessary. The exclusive power at the seat of government will reach the object. On the question,—
Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, ay, 4; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Georgia, no, 6; Connecticut, divided, (Dr. Johnson, ay; Mr. Sherman, no.)
Col. MASON, being sensible that an absolute prohibition of standing armies in time of peace might be unsafe, and wishing, at the same time, to insert something pointing out and guarding against the danger of them, moved to preface the clause, (article 1, sect. 8,) "to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia," &c., with the words,
"and that the liberties of the people may be better secured against the danger a standing armies in time of peace."
Mr. RANDOLPH seconded the motion.
