The republic., 1851-02-17

We perceive that Mr.. McLANE and Mr..
MORSE are at loggerheads as to the democracy
of internal improvements. In order to show
what was democracy on this subject in 1917,
we quote few passages from speech deliv-
cred by Mr.. CALHOUN, in the House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States, on the 4th Of
February in that year, on Z" bill to set apart
and pledge, as a permanent fund for internal
improvement, the bonus of the National Bank,
and the United States share Of its dividends" !"
After alluding to the peaceful condition and
the augmenting resources of the country, Mr..
CALHOUN continues
"Thus situated, to what can we direct our re-
sources and attention more important than In
sTxnNAL IMrRovEMEsrs? What can add more to
she wealth. the strength and the political prosperi
'ty OF the country? The manner in which facility
and cheapness of intercourse adds to the wealth
'of nation has been 30 often and ably discussed ,
'by writer's on political economy, that presume
'the House to be perfectly acquainted with the sub
sject. II 10 sufficient to observe that every branch
of national industry, agricultural n,facturing,
and commercial, 10 greatly stimulated, and rendered
'by productive. The result il that ii tends to
diffuse UNIVERSAL opULENcE. Il gives to the
interior the advantages possessed by the parts
most eligibly situated for trade. It makes
the country prices, whether in the sale of
raw products, or in the purchase Of articles
for consumption, approximate to that of the
commercial towns. In fact, if we look into the
nature Of wealth, we will find that nothing can
be more favorable to its growth than good roads
and canals. An article to command price must
not only be useful, but must be the subject Of de-
A. k-lk- -
intercourse the larger is the sphere Of demand.
The truth of the position is obvious and has been
tested by all countries whore the experiment has
been made. It has particularly been strikingly ex
emplifed in England; and if the result there, in
country 20 limited and similar in it's products,
has been to produce most uncommon degree qf
Opuiencs. what may we not expect from the same
cause in our country, abounding il does in the
greatest variety Of products and presenting the
greatest facility for Improvement Let il NOT
be said that Internal improvement may be ,choHy
left to the enterprise qf the States and Gf i,,di-
viduois. know that much may be justly ex-
pected to be done by them; but in a country 80
new and 30 extensive as ours, thore is room
enough for all the general and State governments
and individuals in which to exert their resources.
But many of tho improvements contemplated are
on too great scale for the of the States
or of individuals, and many of such nature that
the rival jealousy of the States, if left alone.
might prevent. They require tho resources and
the general supcrintcndence of this Government
to effect and complete them. = Uninilu-
enccd BY any other considerations than love Of
country and duty, let US add this to the many
useful measures already adopted The money can
not Be appropriated to more eraltsd use. Every
portion Of the communicable farmer, the me-
chanic, and merchant-will feel its good effects,
and, what is of the greatest Importance, the
strength Of the community will be augmented,
and its political prosperity rendered more secure"