Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-05-12

titled coniessedly TO an armory some
where upon its waters, yet, owing to To-
cal disputes, and sectional differences to
interests, the site has been bone of
contention for many years. From the
time | took my seat as a member of this
House, to the present period, there has
been among gentlemen from the West, a
sharp and animated debate OH this sub
ject. Some have thought that Pittsburg
was the most eligible situation, some
West Tennessee, some North Carolina;
and others, among whom, can name
the gentleman from Kentucky, (Mr.
Johnson and his predecessors, that the
District of country which he represents
is the place which should be selected for
that purpose; and from all | can learn
upon the subject, / think, with him and
them, that it is-but so far as relates to
my present argument, not but that the
necessity for an armory some where up
on the Western waters existed, yet, Ow-
ing to the divisions and differences which
have existed, none has been established,
and none will be so long as they shall
continue. Ifthey cannot among them
selves agree, they have no right, and
cannot with propriety arraign the gov
ernment for Withholding the appropriation
of money necessary to commence an es-
tablishment of this description. The re-
marks which have made relative to the
Western Armory will apply with equal
force in reference to the establishment
of Military Academy in the Western
section of our country. More than
twelve years ago, a bill passed the COM
mittee of the whole House, establishing
Military Academy in the Western sec
ton of our country; but it was defeated
because gentlemen from the West would
not agree upon the place where it should
be located. Both the House and the
country assented to the design. But
such was the struggle of local interests,
that members here could never agree
In reference to this bill, Mr.. Chairman,
and the proposed route Of this. road, it is
sufficient for my purpose and my vote,
that It comes to us under favorable aus
pices, and recommended by those who
have no interest in this or that route,
which does not belong to them as men,
bers of this confederacy. The Chair
man of the committee, who at a former
Session reported a bill, in the words of
this, or similar to it, is gentleman, (Mr.
Mercer,) we all know, has given as
much attention, and devoted as much
time to subjects Of this kind, as any MEM
Der of this House; and no one will deny
that on this and similar subjects, his zeal
has been untring, and his exertions in
defatigable. The venerable gentleman,
who, at this session, reported the bill in
favor ofthis road, (Mr. Hemphill, comes
from State that is identified with inter-
nal improvements; and at home, in ref
ercnce to objects of this description, he
is first among his peers. What motive,
l have a right to ask, has either of those
gentleman to prefer one route to the other,
Independent ofthe general good? None Il
think l am warranted in saying. Sir
during the tendency Of the bill, and
this discussion which has taken place, l
have watched the movements of the
Chairman of the Committee on Internal
Improv ements, and verify believe, if cv-
er man was actuated by pure and dis
interested motives, having the welfare
of the Union in view, and that alone, in
reference to any measure, the venerable
head of our Committee has been SO in
fuenced, guided, and directed. In adj
dition to the recommendations of this
route from the several committees refer
red to, it is recommended by the officers
of the Engineer Corps, who, it will not
be pretended, could have had any per-
sonal interest in the recommendation
An examination Of their report will ac-
quaint ms with the reasons and grounds
of their preference. Among other rea-
sons by which all should be influenced,
we are told that if hereafter it should be
thought advisable to macadamise the
road, the expense Of macadamising the
Western route would not be so great as
either orthc other routes, by twelve hun
dred thousand dollars. So far then, as ex-
pense is concerned, and Judging from the
information which comes before me, to-
pether with the recommendation Of the
present and former committee, | am led
to conclude that the Western is the pre-
fcrable route for us to adopt. Let it be
remembered, that in settling this ques-
ton, we are motto be governed exclusively
by state Of things which may now exist,
but should look forward to tho future,
and although the population on partic-
ular route may be spare ut present, we
must look to the resources of the country
as they will exist when fully developed
by the facilities which such an avenue
and communication as this road will open
to them. We are not to legislate in this
matter for to-day, but for years and CEN
turics to come. For myself, Mr.. Chair
man, am, perhaps, less encumbcred in