Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-02-15
susm good faith, theft

say, the common honesty, oil the House,
TO say, whether such pledge were not
in violation Of those compacts
The right 10 make the pledge, as has
been argued, springs out OF the act OF
1902 | have shown that that act looks
alone TO the sales within the state OF
Ohio. But you did not, at that time,
own Missouri. She was then 10 the
hands OF foreign power; and yet, 1t is
also commended, tina, her fund is also TO
be pledged to redeem this Cumberland
road debt.
Mr.. c. said, the states west OF the
Ohio supposed they were making TAR
bargain, and that each party meant to
execute in good faith what was promis-
ed. If that were done, he thought no
doubt could remain as to the illegally
of the pledge OF 1919, which applied
the fund 10 redeem the Cumberland road
debt. Arguing, then, on that SUPPOSE
ton, he should proceed to state his views
in relation to the measures before the
House.
He had shown, on former occasion,
that this fund would, in the progress OF
time, yield sum exceeding two mil
lions OF dellars--a sum that would be
adequate to make the road. The 60
vernment now owned almost boundless
tracts of land in the West. Its value is
to be increased in proportion TO the facl-
lily OF settling it. This road will lead to
it, and consequently increase It's value.
The country is remote from the great
scenes OF business and markets, and VIII
be greatly benefited by this road. mas
much, then, as it is calculated to adj
vance the primary in erests OF the 60
vernment, as well as to increase the al
fec,ions of a large portion OF our people
for the government, and SO greatly serve
their interests, Mr.. C. said he should
vote for the appropriation. But he
should, at the same time, insist, as con-
dition on which his vote ultimately would
depend, that there should be some clear
and distinct, assurance given, in the bill,
that the road was to be continued 20 the
states west of the Ohio.
1t had been argued that this measure
was premature. This prematurity, SAID
Mr.. c is discovered too late Con-
eress, four years ago, after much grave
and solemn debate, appropriated ten
thousand dollars TO mark and locate this
road. l. was done with view to lis
speedy completion. 1t was then thought
proper to commence, and the people OF
the states particularly interested, al
though too patriotic to be clamorous on
account Of the delay, have felt that their
expectations have not been met IN the
spirit which raised them.
Perhaps it may be said, that the mea-
sure OF four years ago was designed
merely to paciiy and appease an idle
whim Of the West. Congress, l trust
does not legislate on such principles,
and, for one, am sure that measure was
founded on no such consideration. Inc
people of the West do not believe IT.
They have better opinion OF the can
dor and integrity of this body.
Mr.. c. thought this road had nothing
TO do with the great system OF internal
Improvement that had been spoken OF,
81 far as related to the mere appropria-
ton oil money to make it. 1t stood on
different ground. 1t was a Promised
road, and the only question to be settled
was, the time Of meeting that Promise.
That had been settled, and wisely set-
lied, four years ago. 1t was then settled
that we will now go on with 1t. We
will go on with it, while the country,
through which it is to pass, is too poor
to make it, and whilst we (tbe Uni'cd
States) have property to large amount
that will be increased in value by It,
This having been the policy adopted
four years ago, he hoped it would not
now be abandoned.
The public domain, said Mr.. c. is
pledged to pay the public debt. In pur-
suance Of that pledge, Congress had ire
quantly adoped measures to accelerate
its sale. None can more contribute to
that object than this road. 1t will, 1t
must, be the great highway to most Of
the emigran,s from the states north o.
Virginia to tho states Of Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, and Missouri. You will, by at
iording this facility 10 them, act in the
81 rit which produced much OF your
former legislation. You will lessen the
expense Of emigrating, and, by that
amount, increase the means OF the emi-
gran, 10 purchase your property, and
comfortably to settle himself.
Mr.. McDu6fe then rose and said, that
he now perceived the question before
Al. ,o,,r,;ttoa an &C nnpstiOn of direct