Mr. Sumner. To regulate commerce.
Mr. Morrill. Does the Senator mean to be understood that a regulation in regard to cholera, a disease, is a regulation of commerce?
Mr. Sumner. I do, certainly.
Mr. Morrill. Then the cholera is commerce?
Mr. Sumner. No; cholera is not commerce, but cholera comes from passengers.
Mr. Morrill. Then is the regulation of it commerce, or is it the treatment of a disease? Is it a regulation of health, or a regulation of commerce?
Mr. Sumner. It is connected with commerce, and must be treated in its appropriate connection.
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Nor do I understand that this is an exercise of power for the first time. It is nothing more than a new application of an old power, or an expansion of an old power to a new condition of circumstances, and perhaps I may say enlarging the old power, because the circumstances require the enlargement. I do not understand that any new fountain is opened. No new source is drawn upon; no new principle is invoked. We go back to the original text so often applied in kindred cases, and insist upon its application now.
If I understand the argument of the Senator, it is that all quarantine regulations belong to the States exclusively. Am I right in that?