The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-03

powei not found there however necessary may be-
il cannot be assumed by Congress. Were there
thorty 10 declare war. maintain army, equip
navy these acts could not be doDe whatever pressing
emergency might arise. till the necessary authority were
granted | repeat, that il is time since look Ell
over this document with care and can therefore only
state the general impression il left upon NV mind
Now SIR, me honorable senator from South Carolina
MI BuTLERI mas referred, rather triumphanty
thought 10 the resolutions of the Baltimore
and seems 70 suppose that their observance would
prevent nose OF us who acknowledge their obligations
from Young LOT any riyer harbor bill Mr. President
Tor one see neither difficulty in the case nor inconsist
ency IN The course. This resolution disayowine The
gn, 70 establish general system of internal improve
mehts-loi that is the doctrine Teprovedwas first pre-
sehed 10 The democratic party by that able and ncorrup
ole statesman Silas Wright, whose memory is embalmed
IN 'he heart OF every true democrat WE'LL sir he its
acknowledged father held al the time he urged IL and
continued TO hold till his lamenled death, the same
OPINIONS upon this subject which are now sanctioned
oy lhe democratic party, and which authorize these APP
preparations for certain national objects Can doub
resi- upon lhe mind OF any man. fairly disposed, respect
WI han h1 construction he put upon his own declaration
iepuuiae me power 10 spread great system of public
works through the whole country embracing roads ca
nas, sels, anu hareors and ponds, too, for aught
knoW-a system by which the Union was to be covered
win roads and canals by work. and whose con-
sequences, as well financially, in the expendi-
ruptons II would lead to- no man can seriously contem
plate without alarm. Why, sir, a fact which has lust
been slated by an honorable member [Mr DowSsl that
before committees OF Congress for lines of roads to the
amount OF $lO6 900 .00o understood him--or have
not time to refer 10 the documents-pace in striking
light the dangers we exposed to- and from which
we escaped by the frmness and wisdom of An
drew jackson; and by the adherence of the dem
%e are Sy safe 10 h em Of this great
roads and canals from the grasp of the general
government and all the rivers except few which can
be considered national in their character by the conrbu
lions they furnish to the commerce of the country A
great system OF internal improvements is exploded and
me powers OF the government are confined within their
legitimate boundariesthe right regulate commerce and
to improve natural reservoirs and some of the principal
natural avenues OF communication.
Look, SIR, at the votes in the Senate in 1s47-the
last time bill upon this subject passed. and but year
before the meeting of the Baltimore convention. You
VIII ma mat on test vote announced by the mover,
MI Bagoy to strike ont the sum Of slso9oo for the
improvement OF the Ohio river below the falls, there
were 80 nays and but yeas. My name is recorded
among the former; and far greater one than nine is
there. too-the name of Calhoun.
With respect TO harbor improvements upon the great
lakes, in which my constituents feel deep interest,
may be permitted, trust to make few remarks 1t is
the exercise OF power essential to the prosperity Of
me country and necessary 10 prevent prodgal waste of
human life. When first removed TO that REGION there
mouth Of the Detroit river and Black Rock the whole ex-
tent OF Lake Erie and that at Putin Bay island.
How tins great detect was 10 be remeded subject
of anxious inquiry fer almost every day demonstrated
both The danger and the difficulty Of the navigation.
have never been exposed 10 peril than at Cleveland
where was driven ashore, and narrowly escaped with
closed a
length the plan OF building piers suggested and
adopted, by which the current OF the rivers being con.
fined within narrow limits, they thus enabled, when
serve navgable channels Experience soon came in aid
OF the sy sem and 1t is found eectua for its object
1t must be recoeced that storms arise violently and
suddenly upon those great fresh-water seas; and
there Is not sea room, sailors say, TO work vessel
off, she must often perish with cargo and crew, unless
there IS harbor near In which she take refuge.
And these circumstances render greater number oil ports
necessary than would otherwise be required But 49,
and with all The Improvements which have taken place
the statistics OF The lake for 1850 exhibit a
most amenabe loss OF life and property, the follow
ing abstract Will show:
| Loss of life 395
Number Of vessels lost 81
The value OF the property and number of persons
ming this risk are stated as follows:
Value of the commerce $40, 100000
| Passengers 355,OO0
American tonnage I67, 900
Here sir, is exhibit of danger great enough to ava
ken the solcude and 10 command the active attention
OF the most Careless legislature can never surrender
principle which enables the government discharge
sacred Duty dear 10 all my constituents and should
iahessy discharge my obligations to them-and those
efforts have this fulfilled by the general govern
ment, so lar as can consistently with the constitution
and the true principles OF sound legislation.
Harbors OF and of refuge not only
sary, but harbos also indispensable for the purposes
OF fact that occurred in s3 should teach to
be provdent in season The fleet commanded by Com
modore Perry, which gained the most glorious naval
battle recorded in annals constructed at Erie, in
Pennsylvania. At that time the of the lake were
low, and the bar al the mouth of the harbor could not
be passed without lighting the vessels The British feet
was oil the shore, bockading ours which could not go
out while the enemy there because the guns could
not be mounted, as they would have occasioned too
great dtaught OF water violent storm arose, which
compelled the hostile squadron leave the coast and
by great energy and activity Commodore Perry en-
abled 10 get his vessels the bar, and TO embark his
guns and follow the enemy and thus 10 gain tina, spen-
did victory, which he fought with Spartan courage and
reported with Spartan brevity, when ENEMY,
AND ThEY WERE OURS.
/ Anxously did | look out for tidngs OF the re-
suit; Tor the booming cannon had told that the
contest had gone and finished and joyfully did
open the despatch OF the gallant commander for il
my fortune to receive II IN the absence OF General Harr-
son and the shouts OF the express he rode through
the camp TO my quarters prepared for the intelligence
he brought but what felt when read the glorious
letter. tongue pen tell record. II opened 10
us the road TO the of western Canada and TO the
recovery and security OF northwestern 'front.'
The British would otherwise have retained the command
OF the lake, and whole operations would have ended
in useless and enormously expensive efforts to invade the
hostile possessions by land.
But, sur, anxious ms am that our barbors should be
this bill, which desire to see changed Both the sepa-
tor from Kentucky [Mr. CLAY and the senator from
Ohio [Mr. EwINGl concede this, nor have heard a
single member who does not coincide in this opinion.
No one doubt il. But the distinguished senator
from Kentucky while acknowledging this, refuses to adj
NIT any amendment, because, as he says, the House
would not agree TO 1t, and thus the bill would be lost
No bill, be remarks, ~ perfect and must take the
good with the bad for better for worse to use his own