Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-02-24
Remarks of MIR. Bryant, OF Warren,
Upon the Joint Resolutions on The subject of the Wa.
bash and Erie Canal.

Upon the Joint Resolutions The subject of the Wa
bash and Erie Canal
| am surprised, Mr.. Speaker, at the amendment
which has been offered by the senior member from
Vigo, to strike FROM the resolutions the word 're-
quire," and insert the word 'insist" He and DIFF
fer very widely in regard the Specification of words,
if the amendment which he proposes, renders the
olutions of the Senate more courteous and less OBJ
jectionable. conceive that the term most suitable to
convey our meaning has been employed. 1t is time,
high time, that the State of Indiana and the Trustees
of the Wabash and Erie canal should understand
each other. From the commencement of the session
up to the present time, manifest disposition has ap-
peared the part of these Trustees ascertain how
far they can venture, and how far this Legislature
will give impunity lit is time, therefore, for the State
to speak through her constitutional organs, and
whilst her response should be given in terms of Dig
nifty and determination, desire that II should be
tempered also with courtesy and propriety. The
term "requIre, carries with 1t the idea only, OF obi
CATION of legal right Both parties stand in the
aton of contractors to each other both have duties to
discharge the contract requires of each the per1rm
of its obligations to the other. To ''requre"
signifies simply, to ask of right or by authority, and
it is by right and authority of the contract upon
Statute Book that the State of Indiana whilst she
renews the recognition of her own liabilities and obli
cations under that contract claims the full, complete
and faithful performance of the duties and obligations
Imposed Oy the same contract upon the trustees OF
the Wabash and Erie canal The term ''insist''
which signifies urgent and Interchangeable demand.
does not merit therefore the preference which the
gentleman from Vigo seems TO give it, as one of cour
tesy and respect But fear, sir, there is something
apart from choice of terms, at the bottom of
this amendment it may be the design to render these
resolutions offensive this House, or by means of
the amendment to create delay, at this late period Of
the session, and endanger their passage. | will not
m 10 of nd tn a WIN
much honor and respect, but TO jealous vision it
looks but too much like it. The junior member from
Vigo, (hlr. Cookerly) comes out boldly, honestly,
fairly he is opposed 10 the whole concern, preamble,
resolutions and ALL he quotes from the report of the
Trustees, and undertakes to show that the construc-
ton of the side cut at Wiiamsport and Independence
will jeopardIze if not destroy the main line of the
canal; and the third member from Vjgo, Mr.. Holden,
proposes amendment which is 10 make the conslruc
ton of these side cuts dependent upon contingency,
that there shall be water enough, weakening and
modifying the terms of the contract itself, and in
effect destroying the imperative obligations under
which these Trustees rest to construct those works.
| am not surprised at the course which the junior
member takes appraised of his position yester-
day. | hold in my hand the Wabash Express, con-
tanning address from that gentleman to his consit-
uents the subject of his vote for canal Trustee.
The House will, trust excuse my apparent want OF
modesty in referring 10 it, for my friend from Vgo
has in that address completely canonized me be-
fore my decease, that am very fearful if my por-
trait should hereafter be presented 10 the Legsla-
ture a trophy, they would unhestatingly declare
that it stolen from some Cathedral but it is ne
cessary show the position which the gentleman &C.
cupies. He says in that address that 1t was his IN
enton to vote for and urge the election of Robert N
Carnan of Vncennes but hearing it rumored and be-
lieving it be true, for certain that he was
under promise 10 use his influence to put under con-
tract and complete the two side CUTS one in Warren
county the other at Clinton simultaneously with the
main canal itself, he thought it very imprudent for
him, or any other person friendly to that great work,
TO support him for that Office.
Now, sir the fears which he entertained were, that
Mr. Carnan would carry out the law as it stands upon
our Statute book, for the law provides that the two
side cuts in Warren county shall be completed within
eighteen months from the acceptance Of the act and
the side cut at Clinton contemporaneousy with the
main line of the canal itself, so that my friend from
Vigo urges an argument against Mr.. Carnan the
disposition the part of that gentleman to carry out
the Of the contract prescribed by the law.
take exception to this for honor the representa-
tive who zeaousy espouses the Interests of his con-
situents and who has the moral courage to sustain
what he conceves to be their interest," in despite Of
denunciation either from party organizations or
tagonst local interests that he has done ell
casions with zeal and energy no one is more ready
than myself to admit But, sir. the whole of this op-
posltion 10 the lateral branches Of the canal Il foun.