The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-01-31

I orphan presents our bond, bearing the
broad seal of the state, with the chief eX.
ecutive signature, and our solemn pro.
mise. and pligh,ed faith to pay, and hum.
bly, implores us 10 save him from suffering
and death, will the senator use this cruel
language, "stand off - When the feeble
mother presents us our promises TO pay,
and beseeches us to save her and her help
less family from penury and want, will
the senator cruelty repulse her with the
bitter words, "siand off !" And this, too,
while we are in the midst of plenty--ac-
iually surrounded by blessings, comforts,
and enjoymenis. unsurpassed, unequalled
in any part Of the world. He did most
sincerely trust that the "sobef second
thought would induce the senator from
| Greene TO retract.
But il is said that we had offered the
bondholders our property once, and the
offer had been refused and that we would
now, as consequence, be justified in Of
ierng them nothing further. Mr.. r. said
he could not understand such logic as
this nor could he ever become convert
to such creed of honesty as it would
compel man 10 subscribe to, who enter.
tanned such sentiments. If i, was not
downright Reputation, ii was so near 1t
that none but a Virginia absraclonisl
could define the difference.
He (Mr. r. must be permitted to
frankly tell the gentleman from Pike, that
he could not understand his position.
That gentleman informed us that he voted
for the canal law, but thought it gave too
much power to the bondholders, because
it did not limit the number of agents, en-
gineers, and draugh,smen to be employed.
Was ever such reason as this heard be-
fore for opposing great public measure ?
When the bondholders have had the con-
iidence in us to loan US $40 600, 600, and
when they now propose 10 make us fur
ther loan of 81 900, 900 would the gentle
man repay such confidence, by presumng
that the creditors would be dishonest in
the selection of officers to conduct the
work.
He mex, tells us that the canal was not
as lr,portan, as we supposed, that it would
not be used when completed--that pro-
duce bad sold higher in the south than in
the north, this year, and hence the canal
was useless. While in another par, of his
speech he assures us that, in giving up the
canal TO our creditors, we had surrendered
"a most invaluable boon"
Mr.. Il. said that he could devote no
time in reply to such arguments as those.
He was glad to learn that property and
produce had sold high in the southern part
Of the state during the past year and he
hoped that, as they were getting higher
prices for their produce, they would no
longer be opposed to paying a tax to re-
store the credit and character of the state.
Mr.. II. then addressed few words to
the senator from Coles. In his remarks,
lie informed US that he opposed the canal
law Of last session, because he lorcsaw it
would not be accepted by the bondholders.
How wondrous WISE What foresight
and sagacly II such were the reasons
why the senator opposed the law OF last
session, he forgot 10 state them at the
tine for he then repeatedly declared,
that if we passed that law. we would bar
ter away the best interests Of the state /;
and, when once in the hands of the bond
holders, we should never be able to &c,
possession Of the canal again. The gen
llcman then opposed the canal, and in that
respect he is consistent; he now opposes
it, though he tells US to tire contrary, al
the same time that he is opposed to taxa
ton, or any practicable plan for its com
pletion.
Mr.. X. next replied TO The remarks Of
the senator from st. Clair. lie said tina,
the gentleman had assumed mos. extra.
ordinary position. He asked us why
the ndhoders required us to pay the
interest, when they acknowledge that the
canal is ample security to pay principal
and interest Of the debt, and they would
then be making sixty per cent. on their
bonds, for they are not worth more than
forty cents in the market. They are run
ming no risk, it is us who hazard every
thing; OF converting the whole transaction
to their aggrandizcment, and our oppres-
sion, and of its being perpetual vested
RICH, by their exravagantly squaudering
its resources over which we would have
no control Mr.. II. said he felt panied
and Inundated to hear such language
used towards men who had generously
conided in our character and fidelity.
Have we become regardless Of every
sense of honor! Are we blind to all the
demands of justice, reason, and equity