The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-05-05
SPEECH OF MR.. PEARCE.
Or RHODE ISLAND.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
April. IL. 1890.

York, passing by the Seat Of GOUernment,
IN the District Of Columbia, in Neto Orleans,
IN the State Of Louisiana
Mr.. HUBBARD, OF New III Hampshire, having
concluded his remarks, Mr.. PEARcE, Of Rhode
Island, addressed the Committee ns follows:
Mr.. CHAIRmAE: As have finally succeed e.
ed in placing myself upon this road, not, as
you know, without struggle, how long shall
remain upon il, cannot now say: but assure
you, 1t is not my wish TO travel il from one
end to the other, distance Of thirteen hun.
dred miles, and as some gentleman have told
us, moro than that: lest, said Mr. p, (point.
ing to some notes before him. / should faint
by tho way side have taken with me some
vlands from which can receive relief, if any
should be wanted. ! cannot, however, read
to you speech, for mover was able to write
one before obtained the floor, on any ques.
tion or subject under discussion, and never
able to write one out after had finished my
remarks In either case, could employ the
gentleman now in my eye, (Mr. Stanberry,)
much better than could employ myself
The gentleman who has just taken his seat
will excuse me, il do not follow his example,
j appear before the committee under circum.
stances somewhat different from those Of
many others. 1t has been said that New
England, New York, and several other States,
have no direct interest in this road, and that,
therefore, there is no reason why they should
money to carry il into effect. The opposition
has been urged, not merely on grounds Of
principle, but appeals have been made TO the
worst fee lings Of our Dature--to tho selfish
feelings Of individual interest as If nothing
ought TO be done by any gentleman on this
floor, un less it contributes Immediately and
directly to the interest Of his individual dis.
trict, or the State from which he comes. Mr..
Chairman, am influenced by no such feel
IN ~ NH hat Il
have told me was true, that Rhode Island has
no interest in this road What then? If tho
Nation has an interest, is IL right to withhold
my vote, and refuse this measure my support?
Others can speak for themselves, but il is suf
ficient for mo, if this road will contribute TO
the benefit of the country at large; that con.
viction is suilicint to command my vote, and,
in obcying il, | have no doubt / shall be sus
tainod by those | am proud 10 represent. ]
know that designs Of this kind present very
different sub jects for legislation. We have
all soon this difficulty. Somo gentlemen.
with all their Constitutional scrupes, would
not have any serious scruples To this road, if
il could pa 81 thro' their District: Az any rate,
If II must DO made tho route through their
districts is the proper route, notwithstanding
oil the Engineers have said upon tho subject
The road is assailcd by objections tho most
various, and frequently The most opposite kind.
For some, il is too far West; for some not far
enough; for some 1t s too long, and ought to
terminate at notwithstanding towards Tex
rs; for others it is too short, and ought to go
TO Boston by tho way Of Lake Champlain -
One thing is certain 1T is too long and un.
manageable to be laid upon the bed of Pro-
crustcs, and shortened and strctrhed to meet
the views Of CRAFTY the wishes of every one
MIR. Chairman, IL moro local feelings arc to
influence us in all tho proceedings Of this
House, what can ever be done for the good of
the Union? So far as relates TO me, merely
ask myself, whether the schemo that is pro.
posed is calculated in its nature to confer bon
efits on the whole country, without reference
TO any particular section of country?
Is il not familiar to US all, that although the
Western portion OF this Union is entitled con. |
fessedly To an armory some whore upon its
waters, yet, owing to local disputes, and sec
tional differences TO interests, tho site has been
bono of contention for many years. From
tho time took my sent M member OF this |
House, TO tho present period, thero has boon
among geptlemen from tho West, sharp and
animated debate on this subject. Some have
thought that Pittsburg was the most eligible
situation, some West Tennessee some North
Carolina; and others, among whom, can
naae the gcntlempn from Kentucky, (Mr
Johnscn,) and his predecessors, that tho Dis.
trict Or country which ho represents is the
place which should be selected for that pur.
pose, and from all | can learn upon the sub
ject, think, with him and them, that it is
but so far as relates tn my present argument,
not but that tho necessity for an armory some
where upon the Western waters existed, yet,
owing TO the divisions and diiierences which
have existed, none has been established, and
mono will DO so long "a they shall continue,
IL they cannot among themselves agree, they
have u, right, and cannot with propriety ar
ragn the government for withholding the ap
preparation of money necessary to commence
an establishment of this description. Tho ro.
marks which have made relative to the
Western Arm ,ry will apply with equal force
in reference to tho establishment ofu Military
Academy in the Western section ofour coun'
try. More than twelve years ago, a bill pass
ed the committee Of the whole II ousc, esteb
fishing a Military Academy in the Western
section Of our country; but it was defeated be-
cause gentlemen from the West would not
agree upon the place whore II should DO loca
ted Both tho House and the country assem-
ted to tho dasign. But such was the struggle I
Of local interests, that members here could
never agree. In reference to this bill, Mr.
Chairman, and tho proposed route ofthis road,
it is sufficient for my purpose and my vote,
that il comes TO us under favorable auspices,
and recommended by those who have no in |
terest in this or that routo, which does not be. |
long to them as members OF this confederacy.
The Chairman OF tho Committee, VINO NJ
former Session reported bill, in tho words of
this, or similar to il, is q gentleman, (Mr.
Mercer,) we all know, has given as much at
tcntion, and devoted as much time to subjects
Of this kind, as any member Of THE Hour;
and 90 one will deny that on this and similar
subjects, his zeal has boen untiring, and his
exertions indefatigabic.. The venerable gen.
tlcman, who. at this session. reported the bill
in favor of this road, (Mr. Hemphill,l comes
frou, a. State that is identified with Internal
improvements; and at home, in reference to
objects Of this description, he is first among
his peers. What motive, havo a right to