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Ficklin, Orlando Bell : Internal Improvements. Speech of Hon. O. B. Ficklin, of Illinois, in the House of Representatives, Tuesday, June 20, 1848, The House being in Committee of the Whole, and having under consideration the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill

Printed at the Office of Blair & Rives., Washington, D.C.

Original publisher's beige paper wrappers. Text printed in black ink. No date, circa 1848. 5 3/4" x 9." Eight pages, complete. Pages are clean and intact except for light age toning throughout, small occasional spots of foxing or discoloration, a few small dampstains limited to margins along spine, a few closed tears (largest is about 1/2") at top not affecting text, and moderate chipping and splitting along spine. A Good copy. A speech that was originally delivered before the United States House of Representatives on June 20, 1848 by Orlando Bell Ficklin (1808-1886), an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1843-1849 and 1851-1853. He was a Democrat. Notably, he worked as co-counsel with Abraham Lincoln. Most of Ficklin's speech is about "internal improvements" or the construction or maintenance of rivers and public infrastructure such as roads, harbors, and canals. However, Ficklin begins his speech by briefly responding to criticism of Lewis Cass, the Democratic nominee for the 1848 presidential election. Ficklin defends Cass and asserts that he is not a "dough-face," a Northerner who supports or does not oppose slavery for the purpose of political gain, as he had been called. Ficklin says that Cass had spoken against slavery and supported the Wilmot Proviso which would have prohibited the expansion of slavery into new U.S. territories. Ficklin also questions the Whigs for supporting their presidential candidate, Zachary Taylor, when he was an key military leader in the Mexican-Americn War and a known slaveholder. In discussing the subject of internal improvements, Ficklin delves into constitutional law to make his arguments. He references parts of the Articles of Confederation and interpretations on the matter by noted figures in early American history such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe. Ficklin interweaves different aspects of constitutional law including the checks and balances of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of federal government, term limits, and precedence. Recurring throughout his speech is his acknowledgment that Congress can regulate trade and commerce among the different states. The key question is whether or not Congress can regulate internal improvements. Jefferson was opposed to Congress having the power to regulate internal improvements. Madison and Monroe were relatively more lenient than Jefferson on the subject. Ficklin, like his Democratic colleagues, is opposed to Congress or the federal government being in charge of internal improvements. He feels it is best if "individual enterprise" makes internal improvements. He argues, "Experience teaches that individuals, either separated or associated, can have double as much work done as a Government, for the same money. ... The constant tendency of this Government is to augment its powers by encroaching upon the rights of the States; and the exercise of this power of internal improvements, perhaps more than any other practice of the Government, tends to impair State rights and State sovereignty." Ficklin finishes his speech with a discussion about eminent domain and ownership of public domain or public lands. Ficklin adamantly supports the divestment of public lands from federal ownership and giving those lands to the states and the people.. Book. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Soft cover

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