Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-01
From the National Journal.

Having shown in former article the past
opinions OF Mr.. Calhoun on Domestic Manu-
features, and his recent practical denial OF those
opinions by his vote against the .Woolens bill,
we now propose to make brief reference to
his course as regards system Of Internal Inn
provcment.
In the speech Of Mr.. Calhoun, from which
we gave extracts yes erday, we find II asserted
that the protection Of Domestic Manufactures
will introduce a prosperous and happy era IN
our country, and he adds
$40 give perfection 10 this state OF things,
cit will be necessary to add, as soon as possible;
ga system Of Internal improvements"
With view 10 carry this opinion into prac-
tical operation during The session OF l8l6>7,
he proposed to set apart and pledge, as fund
for Internal improvement, the bonus and Unit
ed States share Of The div idends OF the Bank
He considered that there was no object TO
which the public resources could be applied
more important than Internal improvement.
He relied on roads and canals TO equa!ize the
advantages Of circulating medium. He said
hat the taxes are raised in every part of The
country, while the expenditure mus, IN It's ma
lure be confined principally TO the scene OF
military operations; thus the circulating me-
dunn is drawn from one part, and acCumulai-
operation of trade, and hence the necessity for
internal intercourse, by roads and canals.
Son these, (said Mr.. Calhoun,) combined
"wi,h Domestic Manufactures, does the mon>
"neyed capacity OF this country, IN war, de-
"pend
Regarding the weakness of our country Gs
lying on the prodigious extent OF lis surface,
he relied on roads and canals 10 lessen the
evils arising from tie remoteness OF one part
of our citizens from another.
"Let US (said he) bind our country together
with good system of roads and canals, Let
Gus conquer space"
On the 7th of January, 1879, Mr. Calhoun
made report, as Secretary of War, on the es-
adjustment Of roads and canals, which he cons
mences by adverting to the general political
advantages of good system OF roads and ca
mails, independent Of their importance IN a mil
i,ary point Of view. The main object Of that
elaborate report is to impress upon the nation
the advan,ages-lhe ecessity OF this system.
In il Mr.. Calhoun uses the following language.
mo obec, is more important, and :here is
"noDe to which stale or individual capacity is
"more inadequate. 1t must be perfected by
SHE general government, or not perfected at
"al; at least for many years No one or two
Estates have sufficient interest,""
Mr. Calhoun in the same report designates,
as among the national works which require the
first attention Of the government-"a canal from
the Illinois river to Lake Michigan" Yet
bill granting to the State Of Illinois lands, to
aid IN making this canal was rejected in the Sc"
nate by he casting vote OF Mr.. Calhoun, IN the
frs, session Of the 1874 Congress. A measure
suggested by Mr.. Calhoun himself as one Of the
first necessity ~ the chain Of public defence, III
The subjugation Of space, and as opening great
commercial intercourse, is frustrated by Mr..
Calhoun himself! Either this Inconsistency
must arise from complete abandonment oil
former opinions, or from some counlcraotIng
circumstance no, inferior in importance to the
considerations which originally induced Mr.
Calhoun 10 select this as one of the necessary
objects for the employment Of the public means.
Mr. Calhoun in his singular address to the Sc.
nate, week or two since, denies that ii was
ian abandonment of the principles which he
chad before entertained and avowed on the sub
ject Of Internal Improvement What pow
erful consideration then induced him to OPP
pose the measure? Mr.. Calhoun himself shall
an swer the queslion.-"He could not see the
''proprety Of giving to the State of Illinois a
'porlion of The public property for the con-
"struclion of canal which was not 10 be toll
"free" Here we have necessity put down by
clared 10 be necessary Cor our common defence.
and our national prosperity, he himself rejects
bee ause he has some scruplcs as to the proprie
,y of paying TOLL. 1t would have been much
better, perhaps. for Mr.. Calhoun, if he had
been silent on this occasion, and suffered pub
lie opinion to select and settle down upon some
more adequate reason for his strange opposi
tion to the bill.
There is another expression in this address
to the Senate, which we feel ourselves con-
strained TO quote. Still referring to The system
OF Internal Improvements, he says
''He had always believed that system abound
"ed with difficulties which would eventually
run il down.
Now, if Mr.. Calhoun always thought so,
how is it, tina, when he brought all his zeal
and ability into operation 10 induce the COM
mehcement OF this system, he did not also ex>
ert himself to provide against these difficult
ties? How Comes it that he never alluded 10
them in all his speeches and reports? He who
is forew armed is forearmed How Comes il |