The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-26

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the Senate. and the report upon which il was based and
one OF the members OF the committee the honorable
aor from New York, Mr.. SEwARpl proposed 10 the
committee 10 provide for this important work in this bill
upon ms motlon under Instructions from the committee,
the bill was thus amended during the temporary absence
OIL my colleague and myself from the chamber yesterday
evening Yet this is but one OF many improvements OF
national character that needed the Pacific
But will not detain the Senate at the close OF this la
POROUS days session. with my objections 10 this bill in
dela no one can deny that many Of the appropriations
contained IN II are local in their character and operation
some OF these may have voted for when offered as
amendments TO the House bill order equazei and
II any benefits are TO result from it. diuse them
generally through the country possible But no
ure oi ths kind receive my sanction, unless il
Is general and national in s character will not repeat
Tue able arguments which have been delivered this pro-
iohged debate by those with whom act and agree
sentiment With the exception have named, there is
nothing ~ The bill 10 commend 10 the support OF
overlooked in forming the BILL and may be considered
an accident that the provision for turning the San Diego
nyer s IN IT, From !he summary mannsr in which the
amendments proposed by my colleague and myself were
disposed oil merely asking Tor surveys of our two great
rivers, we have foretaste OF what expect for
our Stale II this system becomes the permanent policy oil
the government With butfour votes in the two houses
OF Congress. and the number the electoral col
iege the national character al The improvements
quIe w,llneyer m receive favorable consideration
1 Mr. WELLER. l desire Id say a word or two before
Inc question Is taken. know that exceed
insy anxious TO vote, and shall not deain them long
merely rise Tor the purpose OF stating my position in as
lew words as possible have been very friendly
10 this system OF internal improvements by the federal
government, even advocated by considerable por-
llon O ny political friends There are senators this
hoor much more laldinous in their construction of the
federal constitution than am. When represent
alive in the other branch OF Congress, felt myself bound
BY convictions of duty uniformly against appropr
aons TO improvements which may be regarded local
in their character. have nothing 10 induce
change the opinion which then entertained; but The
contrary, the experience of the past few years has de-
monslraed satisfactorily my ind that in order TO pre-
serve The and quiet OF this Union asiie from
ssItniona obligations, is of tbs last Importance That
this question Of internal Improvement should be taken
out OF the OF federal politics Ii had been here
therefore, yesterday, should have voted for the prop
oson introduced by my friend from Illinois, Mr. DoUG
LAS Tor hold that public benefactor who takes
out OF the OF federal politics any OF those ques
tons which calculated in their nature to divide and
distract the people He who can diminish the number OF
questions upon which the States divided is entitled
to the thanks OF every we'll wisher of the republic.
policy which prevents much possible the States from
being brought in collision with each other commands my
support
Sir this question above all Others in my judgment, is
calculated 10 disturb the peace and harmony of the States
Just SO long as the general government exercises the
power OF carrying system OF internal improvements
the States by appropriations ffu the federal treasury,
us so long mus, there be struggle between the States
as 10 n. amount OF money which they shall receive
lou make the Elaes The spendaries OF The federal
government We have seen during the progress OF this
6 through the Senate one senator reproachlng another
Tor having obtained Tor his State more than its proper
proportion OF federal pIunder! Such contest is the
necessary result OF the system. The smaller States may
contribute more than their share 10 The federal treasury
b The larger ones viii take care 10 use their numbers
in the other branch OF Congress appropriate within
their own limits In other words, you may find Califor
MIA exceedingly useful in replenishlug your treasury by
contributing than s3 10000 per year. bat when the
grabbing comes for internal improvements, The great
States OF New York, Pennsyvan and Ohio will take
care to demand The lions share. In this way the people
OF the small States, through their may be tax
ed, and thus compelled 10 carry system OF internal
Improvements within The limits OF the larger This,
in my opinion is calculated 10 eDgender bad feeling and
sp las rha HpftIn rh
several members oil this conederacy Ii would perhaps
be impossible TO ado any system which would not oPe
rate unjustly upon some portions OF the republic TINS
must lead 10 dlssensions difficult 10 De Ieconclled-to
quarrels disastrous in their results.
Sit, this IS inevitable under that system II the general
government is to engage in system OF internal improve
nents o local character you bring the States directly
IN conflict with each other; produce bitterness OF feel
ing, which IN the end must as have already said, alien
ate them from each other This hold TO be the neoes
sary result How long do you suppose the government
will stand after the States have lost all affection for each
other Destroy that bond Of love, of sympathy which
now binds them together, and the Union will soon
TO exist scramble for the public money will soon place
The States IN antagonsn 10 each other.
With that party TO which belong at least that por.
institutions until they have covered the whole American
continent II is OF the last importance that should con-
hne the federal 10 the few that have
been delegated 10 II by the constitution Sir, al early
age in the history of this republic il supposed that
however well adapted form OF government 10 the
control oil small portion OF territory yet by extending
~ h"iuS anu VhhsUB Ihlo tue. ohlon dhtaBohisuOai
States, or al all events, States whose interests TO
some extent in conflict with each other you would endan
ger the government and weak the bond that bound the
States together II the doctrine OF the whig party were
carried out Il would be dangerous grant you, enlarge
the nube OF States but under the democratic doctrine,
u you conhne the general government TO the few and
simple powers given 10 by the constitution, and II you
take care that every State The Union studiotiy ob
stains from intermedd az toh tie affairs Of heir negh
bors, you may 20 and increase the number OF States
until you have covered the whole American con-
lnent, and the Union will be stronger then than il is
now, But the salvation of the whole depends upon
this. Therefore, If believed in this extended system
OF internal Improvements by the general government
within the States, should depreoae the extension OF
our territory, because, when you bring those States to-
gether with conflicting interests, ii will be almost i'm
possible 10 adopt system OF improvements which shall
do justice to each and thus preserve The peace and the
harmony of the whole But sir, il you leave this qnts-
ton TO the Siates-- you give them, as proposed by
my friend from Illinois, power TO levy tonnage duties
Tor the purpose OF improving their habors and naviga
Bile rivers within their lmits-you would take away
from the federal government OF those questions
which, IN my judgment, more than any other, calcu.
lated TO divide and distract the people OF this Union
Il was for that reason that was anxious to have
corded my vote for the proposition of the senator from
no harbors, navgabe rivers and il is somewhat diff
hcut to explain TO the representatives OF those States
how II that they directly interested in the improve
ment OF harbors and OF rivers within the limits OF other
States For instance, IL is very difficult matter TO sat
sfy my friend from South Carolina Mr. BuTLER] that II
right TO take portion of the federal funds which belong
TO his people, and appropriate them TO the Improvement
OF harbor or river in the State OF Ohio II ~ wrong
in principle am, however, in favor OF those improve,
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