The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-25


Mr. HALE. do not think that am peculiar in tha,
but am 10 favor OF system in favor OF general sys
TEN. | think that some gentleman whom have bas ii
address the Senate this morning has qualified il by saw
ing that he is not IN favor OF unreasonable system
We'll, think will agree 10 that am in favor OF !
Jndic,ous system, OF general system, and of a rea
sonable system. | am in favor of everything ha,
liked to have said, which is national in its objects
But forget another dictionary OF the language has 90
10 oe made, and The word national will have an enrel,
inherent meaning from what il used to have. We have
nothing national in the northern States There is nothing
national in New Hampshire--nolhng at all: mean n
me modem acceptnllon OF the word. had supposed in
the old dictionaries that have seen that natonan was
general " but gentlemen opposed 10 what is general
am IN favor OF everything which is truly national in Ia
aspects am IN favor of improving the Mississippi the
lake in which the citizens OF this whole country are IN
ierested. will not conine my sympathies nor m action
here by any such miserable as might aIis,
from the fact that dollar has ever BEEN or probab,
ever will be, appropriated to the little State which have
The honor IN part 10 represent No. sir will remem
per here however may forget elsewhere. tha, am
citzen OF the United States and that when speak o
national interests have something else besides negro
slavery That connect with the definition OF national as
word IN reference TO political subjects For the Sc rea.
sons sons am IN favor OF this bill will vote for it, and
VIII not delay nor haTass embarass the Senate by
ierng amendments, but will endeavor as they are pre.
sented TO give an understanding vote
Wh these remarks leave the subject barely obsery-
ing that have not examined SO mnuiey could wish
aud probably shall not examine this BILL from the yerv
detects and deficiencies of which have had occasion 10
complain again and again on 0e floor of this Senate MY
Complaints thus Nine or ten months OF the session.
hope that may speak with the respect that is Jue 10 The
Senate; am not speaking of this Senate but | am
speaking OF some Senates that have sat
months OF the time has been taken up n making
that have had possible conner with any practical
subject OF legislation before the Senate and on The very
eve and heel OF the session The important business nvoy-
log millions OF expenditure, and all the great interests oil
the country forced into the very last hours OF The
sion, when, from the very necessity of our position no
consideration can egven, and examination had of The
great subjects about which we are sent here egslae
How do we hnd ourselves at this momentl About a
week and ball oil The session left, and have vet got
10 consider the appropriation bills for the civil and dplo-
uatc expenses OF Inc government, for the navy for the
army Tor rivers and habors and, by the blessing of
God, hope we have yet got TO consider the homestead
b All these great measures OF the Senate are left to
this e span OF hme-to these lew. brief, flee ting hours
OF he lag end OF the session that has consumed nearly
the whole year by the vicious system which has prevailed
Sir do not of course, speak OF this Senate and of this
session am speaking historically OF another Senate
that used to SIT IN the island of Nnkapoo some wears
ago But sir, we may take advantage OF the history OF
those who have gone before US, avoid the errors into
which they have fallen, and devote the little time that
is left TO the business of the session.
Mr.. MALLORY II the vote which is now about TO
be aken Is 10 be regarded as test vote, deem il proper
to say word upon the subject do not deem il proper
however al this moment to say one single word OF the
general policy which this bill attempts 10 carry out or
the constitutional power upoa which 1t Processes 10 be
based. Nor will occupy your attention by adyerting to
tue Importance oil thi5 particular amendment. appre-
hend however, that every senator who is familiar al all
with the condition OF this country see If he gances
over thus b that this very amendment which il is pro.
posed 10 contain is more important TO the welfare of
this country than twenty nine thirtiehs OF the ether
measures OF this bill Ii is to afford an outlet TO the
immense trade OF the Mississippi valey-to that trade in
which every senator here representing any portion of the
great western valley is directly inerested-trade which
at this very time amounts to hundred and fifty mil.
lions, The amendment is based upon this common SCI Sc
view that the bill it from the committee seems
10 contemplate contract that 10 be made by the Secre-
ay OF War and proposes that it is complete the entire
work; while the amendment contempaies that a report
shall be made 10 Congress TO how t.is money has
been appropriated and recognises at the very outset the
TACT that ihlsis but partial and temporary appropriation
But sir, rose TO say more particularly that this at.
tempt TO cut off all amendments to this bill will necessa
ry preclude many gentlemen from voting for it who 9th.
erwise would feel induced TO do so although the bill
might not be altogether pleasing them even after the
have been permitted some what TO amend it And would
follow the example OF The honorable gentleman from
New Hampshire, Mr.. HALE and remind the Senate tha,
there is such State as Floda and that, while hundreds
of thousands Of dollars for secoss of the country
and large sums which not apparently necessary are
appropriated IN others by this bill, here is State having
fifteen hundred miles OF seacoas embracing within lis
folds more dangerous navigation than exists upon the face
oil the earth, along whose coast two hundred and fifty
millions annually pass in the Gulf of Mexico and you
have not appropriated single dollar for its navigation
| do not speak in behalf OF Florida as waning anything
for berself bat il this bill is based upon great national
viewsf these are great national measures which you
seek TO secure-let follow the plan we have adopted
in the forcalon Of this country and take those works
which are evidently the most important and follow them
up. beginning at the right end first Why, sir il has been
In contemplation by public since the acqu-
son OF Florida 10 canal across that State The
survey is actually made and have arrived al that
state OF things IN which our bureaus are perfectly
vefsan with the whole matter and estimate has been
made Tor new survey which shall not exceed the cost
of $4,000 II this work is completed next 10 the transit
across the ishmus OF Tehuantepec, il will be the great
national work of our country
In advertng 10 this subject will say, in addition that
Tor some two or three hundred miles vessels carrying
this immense commerce between Cuba and the United
States without lights the OF Florida while on
the New England coast you have multiplied your lights
that you cannot travel mile without being in sight of
one. You have scarcely the Florida coast You
are losing your millions annually, at the smallest cacu.
aton, OF western produce and northern shipping, barely
and purely for want OF lights and buoys And We, this
only is pary appropriation Of IS 900 for letting one in.
let into another, and that is peculiarly local than
national
Now, 10 the policy OF all these measures. call upon
the Senate TO let those gentlemen who have national
views who not local in their views-andT profess
not 10 be profess to ask nothing for Florida but
only those great which CONTEMPLATE national Sc
II what we can all vote for. for one, willing to
make II the best bill As it stands certainly
cannot vote for 1t.
Mr.. BORLAND. Mr.. President, il seems TO that
senator's in their remarks upon this question, have pro
ceeded upon the ground that proposition has been made
10 deprive them OF the liberty OF Speech or the privilege
OF offering such amendments which they may choose
offer to this bill Now do not understand that there is
any such proposition Whether this question be decided
way the other, every senator otter any amend
ment 10 the bill which he may choose The only ques-
ton, as understand IT, presented by the senator from
a.. 49,. l,a.. IL. r