The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-03


whole subject The bill has been prepared a whole
the committee having aimed al something which should
ohg down the rate OF postage to what they considered
minimum rate The amendment, according to the ssDa
tor from Ohio would withdraw about 100000 from The
revenue expected TO be derived from the effect of this
ohl thnk have not estimated the ant too high
Dut even $2OOO0O could not well be spared Considering
the amendment therefore. one interfering with the
main provisions of the bill, may perhaps AZ well on
ihs as on any other occasion say something upon the
important financial character OF the subject For If
there any changes to be made in the bill in that re.
spec why they will change the whole character of the
bill for the committee have not framed this bill upon
any calculations OF material change in the SYSTEM nor
DO they contemplate throwing this branch Of the public
service upon the treasury They believe, sir, that the
BILL after the system shall have fair trial. without any
considerable permanent burden upon the treasury View
i Ss the %afr in this light say
however, ought. perhaps. to say few words in ad.
diton to what said the other day in reply to the ex-
traordnary speech OF my friend from Ohio, MIR ALLEN
that matter.
My friend from Ohio Mr. ALIEN went into an ex.
tensve range OF discussion not only in relation the
financial results OF this bill, but he went into an element
airy consideration of the first prncples-of the effect of
tins amendment upon the great interests of free nstu
lions and civilization. And among other things sir,
which he brought into the discussion were those
relating to ocean steam mail lines. will meet the
arguments OF the gentleman relation to these foreign
mail lines, and endeayor to answer his objections
by the argumcntum ad hominem thought il sufficient
to state to my friend the other day. that the principal
sponsbility for that policy, of the govenment-and
naa the %V Sa E
peat some OF the reasons why hold him responsible for
that pocythough, really there is SO much noise and
confusion that fear shall not be heard
Mr.. ALLEN, lin his seat) We will listen.
MIR. NILES. My friend from Ohio was, say more
than any other member of this body responsible for that
policy and for evidence of this fact will allude 10 his
celebrated speech made in this chamber the object OF
which seemed to be--and was indeed, avowed by him
for the purpose OF getting up war spirit between this
country and Great Britain. | wish to add, that he
not only attempted prepare the hearts of the people of
war; but proposed to get exactly this kind OF warfare
this steam maritime warfare. That the great idea
OF the gentleman-and he told in that celebrated
speech-hat the introduction OF steam into maritime
fare had produced revolution in that mode of warfare
throughout the world that the effect of it deprive
Great Britain OF all her advantages of naval superorty
that the nations would enjoy equal advantages with
hers that that power which might be most successful
with this new mode OF warfare, would of couse
command the seas; and that Great Britain would
have no advantage over any other power.
This was the leading idea contemplated in his speech
suppose it had effect here, and in the Executive
department OF the government because very soon after
wards, this policy began to be agitaed and has since
been carried out to the extent contemplated
Well, sir, this is not all that hold the gentleman re-
sponsibe for. hold him responsible for the line of
steam packets to Havre Senators will all remember
that at the last session my friend introduced very
table resolution here, by which pledged ourselves
virtually to aid in consolidating the liberties OF France.
That resolution passed and what did the President do
Why he sent i 10 France, understanding t-as sup.
pose my friend did--as intended to have political
effect rather than being message OF congratuation.
The Executive so understood it, and communicated
by the acting Secretary of France at that time. M La
MARITIME, in very kind spirit and notwithstanding that, it
might have been supposed that France would have been
any power, coupled with advice with regard 10 her own
internal affairs But, inasmuch as the friendship OF the
United States was OF long standing, he took excep-
tons to It Now appears that, by the Executive OF both
countries this resolution was regarded somewhat OF
obligation assumed part to aid with good
oicesas far as we could do 80 without improper inter
feence-for the purpose of accomplishing the great OBJ
ject of consolidating the liberties Of France.
WE'LL sir, what is TO be done' We must attempt to
~ out this object. We must do something in conse-
in relation to consolidating the liberties of France The
government became anxious to do soand established line
of steamships to Havre; the object OF which, suppose
in order to give them light upon this great subject OF
sodang liberty How else could do it, sir, but by
sending there the speeches made here by the gentleman
from Ohio and Others and letting them know how ,Oe
consolidated hbery-holding up candle to them to let
them how successful 0e had been in the consolda
toa Of liberty in this country Laughter This take
to be the origin of this line, and therefore hold my friend
responsible for il in having introduced this policy, well
the general policy of securing the mastery OF the
by the use OF steam power as new element OF maritime
warfare.
Now, come to the turning point with regard. to my
honorable friend and want to call the attention of the
of my friend has undergone have been sorry to wit
many changes that have taken place in the minds
OF many of our public observation-disclosures want to
show that he has changed his and feelings on the
subject with respect 10 this mode of warfare Having
induced to enter upon this policy has he stood by
No, sir. He now comes forward and denounces the
whole scheme, and says is all the business of obbers
when, in TACT it is policy that originated from his
views
There is memorable example in history, and in that
very history to which the senator referred in his speech
the other day, to which wish to make an allusion. |
do not know that his quite up to the one
intend TO cite, butt is somewhat similar In that history,
frOpox al huvo
all read schoolboy days of Demoshenes the orator
Denosthenes like my friend, undertook to prepare the
hearts OF the people of Athens for war, and he made
speech after speech Grafton after oraon directed against
King Philip; and which, for that reason called
like my friend prepared the hearts of the people OF that
country for and such the effect OF his speeches.
that when the people returned from the forum, it
was in the mouths OF all the people, " let fight
Philip" And so it was in the mouth of the honorable
SENATOR and every here after his remarkable speech
-" let us have brush with England" [Laughter]
Well sir. that wise and enlightened people of Athens
very naturally brought to the conclusion that the
man who successful in preparing the hearts Of
the people for war; would be precisely the to conduct
relate when he to face the enemy, he the first
man to flee lLaughter] do not know that my friend
would quite do that rather think if he was called upon
and put tight place, he iooid fight Renewed laugh
ter But this Ahenan, who had much powern prepar
ing the hearts of the people for when he came TO lace
the enemy finding that it was much safer and more
credtabe thing to talk about war, than was 70 nave
collision with the deadly instruments OF the enemy,
threw down his arms and fled Such was the result OF
that unfortunate attempt in preparing the hearts OF the
people for war.
Now nv friend has not quite got us into war; but he
has been the of the expenditure OF large sum OF
money in getting ND these steaners and he now turns
rouad and says this miserable business, got up by