The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-27

me Cumberland and Tennessee rivers II 81 Dap
pens that from every direction there natural open
nga through this lofty range, all meeting in th'
state OF Georgia at single point (Atlana) in De
kalb county. In every direction they tend to tina
point harmonizng all interests of all directions il
That one spot and interesting all parties in the fur
ther execution of each others views.
i cannot here GO into detail as l could wish
Facts, however, will be presented to the considers
ton OF the convention by suitable committee foi
that purpose, which will dispense with the necess
y. of my going farther than general alIusion ia
this topic
| Imay, in illustration, however, be permitted "a
say, that at the outset of the construction of the
! Charleston and the Savannah railroads, there was
great jealousy Of each other. Eventually, however,
better counsels prevailed. The roads, by necessity
met at Atlanta, in Dekalb county, Georgia, and
from that point there is to both Of those companies
mutual and joint interest in the farther prosecution
to completion of railroad to the Mississippi val
ley. Now, railroad is projected from Oxford
through the Hiwassee district which, of necessity,
goes to Atlanta. That from Nashville, through
Chattanooga, must pass TO the same point That
from Memphis, the same. From Grand Gulf or
Vicksburg, the same, Fiom New Orleans, the
same. And this shows that, instead Of rivalry we
in truth interested in the execution of all. We
all meet at one point, the farther progress from
which is of mutual advantage and interest to ALL
| trust, gentlemen, spirit will govern this as.
sembly which will remove all jealousy, if any may
are
all one in reality. hope to see harmony-all aid
| ing in all, and rejoicing in doing
In these remarks do not cross the Mississippi
river to the newer region Of country, for on this
point | am unprepared; but firmly hope and be-
Iieve there will be no difficulty there. Their inter
| ests are ours
The systematic police of your streams, and their
protection in war, WILL it is true, afford great fac.
ity in the transit of persons and merchandise and
ready market in one place, if not anothcr-even
market TO every mans door, But that is as vet but
little. We must look to our connection with The
North, well among ourselves, and see that that
connexion shall be secure from danger of naviga-
ton, rs well as contingency Of war. The railroad
system is the only sure and uninterrupted means Of
connexion therewith-and that for the six months
IN the year when, from opposite causes either ice or
drought, the ordinary channels of inland navigation
are closed. Besides great railroad communications
we must also connect the valleys Of the Mississppi
and st. Lawrence rivers-to effect which The jlii-
nois river presents great natural advantages Other
links OF connexion now in progress will shortly be
completed-the New York and Erie railroad the
Pennsylvania railroads, the Baltimore railroad, the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal, the James river and
Kanawha railroad, and other companies. pushing
on their noble enterprises to completion.
This, then, gentlemen, brings us to a more deli
cate question: and that is, hop r ue may inrokc The
AID 81 Inc general government On this point gentle
men, rm aware there is diversity of opinion. IL
is well known that am for rigid construction Of
our constitution. | will not-nay, | would scorn
to take this occasion to pass opinion on topics be.
longing to other halls than these. And here would
beg all to act with forbearance. If general topics
arise, lot every constitutional scruple be an I'M
touched point. Your circular of last July, cxcIu.
ding subjects of political controversy, l read with
pleasure on that account. Our general government
however, is ono of limited powers. It's restrictions
must be sacred and on them depends the duration Of
our constitution and our country On their in,cp
ritV nds &c AZ. y
of our government, that for time to come il should
far surpass all others.
As TO The Improvement Of the raiiey ofe Mssissip-
pi-what, then, can the general government do /,
The invention OF Fulton has, if may he allowed
the expression, turned the Mississippi river and its
| tributaries into an inland sea- of equal importance
IN its navigation with Chesapeake or Delaware bay.
believe II, therefore, to be matter peculiarly with
in the jurisdiction Of the federal government and
deserving in the highest degree Of its police and
protection This Is not matter to be left to ind-
vidua States. tits ono ofhigh national importance
| We may safely lay down rule, which it is pre-
sumed VIII be acceptable To all, that whatever can
be done IN individuals, they ought to accomplish;
whatever ispeculiarly within the province of States
they should effect and whatever is essentially with
IN the control Of the general government it should
accomplish. believe the free and uninterrupted
navigation of these inland seas $50 to speak) is
within the peculiar province of the general govern
ment, (great applause But on these topics il were
useless al present 10 60 into detail.
Again: the connerion Of The Mississippi palieu ,rii
the southern Atlantic States is matter belonging to
tho general government, and requires attention in
| two points
l. more uninterrupted communication between
the MISSISSIPPI river and the Gulf by deepening the
bar at the Ballze, so as at all times admit the pas
sage OF the largest vessels and thus effect more
| immediate junction Of the ocean and river trade
Security IN the event Of war not only by an
extensive naval station on the Gulf and the perma-
nent occupation Of those waters by large naval
force, but also by the speedy fertilization of the
Tortugas.
These means will tend to keep open the present
modes of transit between the southwestern and At
lantic States.
There is another mode of ntercommunication,
however, wherein the Intervention of the general
government may be more than doubtful | now
allude to the railroad system Now, government,
contend, cannot create a railroad system, or any
other system of internal Improvements within any
separate State; and grant that had the power even
then would be in vain to look for any appropria-
ton. Local appropriations (f may use vulgar
| expression) are controlled and oyerruIcd by clog
roliIg;" and in illustration of the faty Of the gen.
eral government embarkng in any undertaking Of
| the kind, would state that already il has expended
not less than seventeen millions of dollars therein
the whole Of which at this time is not worth one
million OF dollars However, the government ought
to subscribe to every work of internal Improvement,
nproportion to its ownership, in lands to be benefit
cd thereby, just individual or corporate owners
do. Thlsis no new idea to me- once gave the cast
ing vote in the chair, for the ship canal connection
IN ILLINOIS, on this principle. Now the government
is a great landed proprietor in the new States It
ought to terminate that ownership, and transfer its
management TO the States, allowing them thirty
three and one-third "a liberal allowance, TO be sure)
per cent for attending to it, the other sixty six and
| two-thirds going to the general government and
connecting this at the same time with the gradua-
t.rsno .zI.. Al
even TO IS cents per acre This course, gentlemen.
would be productive Of fund which might be APP
proprated to railroads other works Of benefit 10
the lands SO owned. 1t might be applied by sub
scrptlon with States individuals to alternate Sec
tons OF such improvement, all in the ratio of rcspcc-
tive ownership Such course will have great eff
feet on the improvement Of the Mississippi valley
and its connection with the Atlantic States
| now come to another point. do not want to
alludc to the protective system, nor discuss the
merits or dement's of high or the present tariff.
Nor do desire at all to force my opinions any
gentleman present Ruf ono m, bert mi ~ ;c,;do,,