The daily union., 1852-08-20


grant OF land and substitute appropriation OF money
for The canal, 10 be constructed by this government
desire SIR 10 have the question settled by the adoption
| rejection OF the amendment whether we will make II
moneyed bill, or whether will retain II as an appTo
prlaon OF land TO the State OF Michigan 10 enable the
Slate TO construct this work. By allowing the vote tc
be taken upon the amendment now we will ascertain
what IS TO be the character OF the bill and then we car
determine whether we will postpone it, lay it upon the
table, or what we will do with it,
/ Mr. UNDERWOOD. Twill not detan the Senate long
sr of never make very long speeches; but hope tina
the object OF the senator from Illinois will be accomplish
ed before the question Is taken upon postponement
rise Tor the purpose OF saying that shall most unequv
ocaliy vote for the amendment because it should hap
pen that the State OF Michigan had not land enoug
within her boundaries, i would make it mere grant o
| land without making the improvement and you deter
NINE By that that national improvements to be made
according to the quantity OF land State may have with
in her borders. There is principle in that, sir; there
fore intend 10 vote for the amendment, and hope
may have The question upon it. But sir, wish before
take my seat to call the attention OF the Senate for one
moment 10 the doctrine which has been advanced here by
my friend from Tennessee Mr.. BELL,l and also by my
friend from South Carolina, Mr. BuTLER,l that the
rupubly OF human nature is such that this power OF
making internal improvements cannot be iDtrusted to
Congress If understood the argument of these gentle
men amounted to that. wish, sir, to vindicale the
dignity OF my nature to some extent and to show that
there are some honest men, hope.
do not believe that the Congress Of the United States
is corrupt that they cannot be trusted with the power
OF adopting general system OF internal improvements or
the whole country; and may say, further, that il they
corrupt not to be trusted with that power the
government is not worth preserving will say, further
ii It be system OF corrupt punder, it is the most ad
vantageous way OF plundering the treasury that can
| conceive OF.
Sir, DO not believe in these doctrines If it be true
that thee s corruption, think II exists in the doctrine
of the "spoils-in that doctrine OF trying to erect to
ourselves power by the formation of Offices, and by
cques and combinations OF individuals to fill those Of
fees and TO fleece the people So far as am acquainted
with the history of the world from the days OF the Pha-
raohs oil Egypt down 10 the present tme nothing
stop those who have set their hearts upon and the
emoamenis OF office; not even murder1not even the
desire for the accumulation OF power and the emouments
of Office in that way. There is danger which, in my
opinion, should guard against-there is danger OF
that compatibility by which all governments may become
oppressors oil the people OF the country But, sir this
habit OF debating on the system of internal improve
mentsa general system for that purpose-Tenders it
subject such checks, that in my humble judgment there
Is no danger from 1t.
Sir, about to vote for this bill with regard to this
Improvement around the falls Of the ST. Narys never
in the State OF Michigan in my life. have been in
the neghborhood of IL but yet got into the State.
have not particle of interest there independent OF my
But what will be the answer The only answer is that
am looking ahead TO a good time coming, when they
will pay me Tor my vote by some equivalent advantage
to the State OF Kentucky That is the only answer to it.
Now, sir hereis the condition Of things There is a
limitation upon all these improvements The people Of
this country never will submit to oppression in the shape
of taxation. The Limitation TO the whole OF il is the
amount OF money in the treasury and you cannot extend
beyond that without increasing your taxes think sir
as have already said, that il is The best mode OF expend
ilure can have. Start your railroads, sr from here
to New Orleans-have Yankees any interest in having
that railroad located improperly No. sir, their interest
is 10 have mal-route, and one that costs the least
money with the most benefit 10 the country Start your
road, spoken OF by the senator from South Carolina.
from here 10 Buffalo. What interest has the Great West
in its location which may warp the judgment of the men
who TO locate the position OF the road from here
Buffalo The people OF Maryland, of Pennsylvania. OF
New York, may have some local interest TO warp their
judgment; but what interest can the great body OF the
1 ala thn al tha Tptta1
moved some thousands OF miles from this particular in
erna mprovement-haye in the particular track of the
route
The only thing which can be said is that which has
been stated obectob-hat if you tolerate the power
at all you will have TO multiply the objects until these
hundreds OF millions may be required which has been
said have been heretofore required The limitation upon
all that is that you have not the money to spend if you
would 20 for general system, and not content that
We shall select first the great objects of the country and
improve them, and improve the little objects afterwards
when have the means. That is the doctrine, SIR and
wanted 10 AXE these remarks in reply 10 those gentle
men who suggested that idea.
that is this: The senator from Kentucky says that he
must vndicate the dignity OF human nature, and he
empts to prove that there something like honesty here
and everywhere else. Now, sir, know that be is gen.
eman of integrity, and would risk anything with him
but do think he has exhibited his usual fairness
either he or my friend from Tennessee tMr; BELL
upon this question. This bill must be postponed. And
why II must be postponed until the river and harbor
bill can be acted upon. And whyi The senator from
Kentucky says that II ought 10 be put into the river and
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. The gentleman is entirely mis-,
taken. did not say word about putting il into that
blll-not at ALL On the contrary il the gentleman will
allow me TO make the explanation, had little con-
versaton among ourselves, and avowed rather host-
y TO posponng it, and declared my intention for
it through thick and thin The gentleman is entirely
mistaken.
MIR. ATCHISoN. Then am mistaken, and take it
all back. But why should postpone this bill I
Why not take vote upon II at once Why bring in the
m vim tall kahnu
postponng Il until the river and hatbor bill shall be
acted upon That would be but TO hold whip the
senators from Michigan and others who directly in
erested in this particular measure, and TO say to them
III you do not vote for The river and haTbor bill will
this proposition down" That may not be exactly
the propositions but understand il when translated
into PLAIN English.
Now, sill, the only thing in this proposition which
mends itself 10 my mind ls that IL is naked, outsand
ing, honest proposition submitted by the senators from
Michigan for work of internal Improvement, TO stand
alone upon its own merits. II anything in the world
could commend II TO me, II is because il presented
disconnected with all other propositions, thus excluding
the idea OF trade, log rolling or traffic OF any kind in
legislation regret very much that the senators from
Michigan have changed their ground. regret that they
qua mol leave this bill precisely II was when
originally presented making appropriation OF public
lands TO construct this great work, thereby comforting
great benefits upon the OF that region and upon
The nation, besides adding TO the value OF the public
lands 10 the State of Michigan. That would place il
precisely upon the ground that have placed all
grants for the purpose OF constructing railroads and canals
Place IT upon that ground and nobody disputes IT, Propo
stons OF this kind have been carried almost by unan
nous vote OF this body Then, say. take the land
and we will get rid of this vexed question 10 the