The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-06-24
NO. X.

out honestly Their opinion. They nave been led
INTO error because the principle which they have
adopted Is an incorrect one; but when these with
whom act and assorilte, whose gIory is declared
TO consist IN strict construction Of the COnstitu
lion, so wrong, II is sin for which / have no
such charity 1T is N vain. therefore, for gentle
men 10 tell that the Democratic party have
done wrong When they have d, ne so they de-
serve double censure, and | never mean to be
held by patty lines when they point my course in
direct vIclat.on Of the clear construction OF the
Constitution. 1t II he night To make this appro-
pra,on for the Territory Of Minnesoia--if the
principle upon which it is based be correct-it
Wi! be also with respect 20 lhe States. Gt nt.e-
men may ask when they please fer appropriations,
anu expect them 10 be granted. When case is
made out ior internal Improvements, the lands
and the wealth Of the Treasury of the Government
VIII be squandered upon these roads. repeat,
That 1t Is viii, reluctance throw myself upon the
attention OF The committee. | have avoided dis
c"SSion upon the subject, that mi sht not con-
sumo an improper and unnecessary portion Of
theif time. But know Of nothing more fiaught
With evil, and nothing which is more certain 10
produce The fostering Of discomfort and il-feeling
IN the hearts Of the people Of the old States
those States ho were tried in the Revolution and
VINO passed through its crucible. When they
look upon the broad domain which belongs to
them and their children, which has been pur.
chased by their struggles and their contributions,
anu ma that It Is passing away day after day
melting like the snow beneath The Influence of the
sunbeaul--when they feel every claim which ,hsv
may urge upon this Government IS regarded 40
idle-when they demonstrate and say tina, this
extensive territory belongs to US all in general,
and It s unheeded, they will lose confidence in
the lusllce Ui those VINO control the desiinles Of
the Government. feel assured that IN this pol
icy we adopt system Of legislation which is to
destroy The confidence Of the old States in tho
justice OF the Congress--that we will es;range the
hearts oil those who IN the day Of trial stood true
who nave conquered this domain and left il iG-
herI'ance to their children. They are to be cast
out, and The stranger, oyourner and foreigner, 10
10 BE- welcomed. and pat in possession of the ter
rioiy O! our country. The claims Of our own
ci'lzens are 10 be utterly dIsrcsarded. The whole
Atlantic slope IS 10 be looked upon as a foreign
Land And whilst am willing TO egisate lber-
ally, wiling 10 foster, to protect them, and 10
vote money snd nen for lhe defence Of their
homes and their nights, claim that equal justice
De done 10 the older members of the family of
States. am ready 10 make Just, generous
diSiributon 10 give the younger members OF our
Conicderacy full and liberal portion, even ,ha,
oil Benlanin, IN the inheritance. Stll | claim
that We Of The old States shall not be declared
iileghmate. clam that The old States should
oO 0"N'tieu ~ titl i,its. ASK Ht' extra pTNI-
leges- | only ASK justice. There is no gentle
man IN this committee for whom have kinder
feelings than the Delegate from Minnesota, [Mr.
Slbiey.l There is one for whom | would do
more; and would vote Cor ihis b, were 1t not a
concession ol the principle upon which have al
ways acted, and with my views of the Constitu-
ton, and of duty and propriety upon which /
shall always act. / conceive that such course
IS more necessary now, because there seems 10
ne an unsettled state OF opinion upon this once
csrdina. doctrine OF the party TO which l belong.
The veto message Of iIr. Polk was clear and
distinct avsr'nent of ha, portion Of our creed. l
am aware that many gentlemen Of the Demo-
cratic party dIsSentcd from his views. But The
doctrine is not wholly repudiated even by them, if
the pii,iorn Of the Baltimore Convention contains
The true creed. They distinctly disavow the
right of the Government 10 prosecute any general
system oi iniernai Improvements. MIR Polk act
ed upon thsI principle. lie discovered in The leg
IslatIon Of Congress. hat he believed to be the
prosecution OF such general system. Bu, other
distinguished Democrats, candidates aspi-
rants, with their fee, apparently upon that plat
form, have rot found any bill general TO
come within The purview O! inat resolution. Billie
including some ninety items, and spreading over
some tw enty-eIsht States, have not pcsn consid-
cred general, tut peculiarly particular, and
essentiA!y democratic in their character. In
deed, know OF 10 bill or scheme Of internal ID-
provemen; by th.s Government which il fuunded
upon system general enough to be forbidden by
the resolution Of the Baltimore Convention, at
hrned and re-alirned in the judgment Of many
Of those whose Distinguished position snlitls them
TO be regarded leaders Of the party. | desire
specially that il should be- ascertaned what il so
general 10 be forbidden, and so particular az 10
be allowed. In tho absence Of such Lights,
must content myself with the opinions and con-
siruc,ion Of the fathers Of the Republican party.
and those who, roverins their wisdom have used
he power OF their Office to resti ain unconstuiOna!
legislation.
Mr.. SEYMOUR, Of New York. Mr.. Chair
man, am certain nothing further is needed in the
suppor; # a bill like the now before the COM
mt,ee; and ] should not have detained the COM
mllce a moment. were it not that some remarks
have been made tending TO show that the voting
Of this appropriation for the construction and sur
yey Of these roads Ia the erritoTy Of Minnesota.
IS the adopting Of general system OF internal
provemeuts by the Federal Government. DO
not wish to stand wrong upon the record, Tor 40
have sad before, sag now that am not the
advocate OF such system. Nor do l propose.
At this lime, 20 go INTO Il genera! discussion on
the subject for the time viii not permit 1t. Ii
would be better devoted to the disposition OF this
biil II strikes me. 1t seems to me- tina! the prop
ostion bef1fe the committee Is one which IS in
perfect conformity with all the previous legisla-
ton Of this Government upon similar subjects.
What is it, sir' ]; is for the purpose Of aPpropri-
a,ng the sum of s5 ,000 !cr The survey OF a road
some two or three thousand miles IN length,
through ore Of the Territories and fer the SpprO-
prialon, also, cf some $40, 600 to aid III con-
s;ruc;ing certain roads already surveyed, aad tho
construction of v hch has already been commen-
ced under tho superintendence Of the War De-
par,ment Now, ! think that there IS perfect
distinction between improvements OF th" eharac-
ter, and wha, are usually termed internal in-
proycmen,s in o State. We know tiia, the Ter
ri,ories are peculiarly placed, by the Constitution
of The United States, under the legislation Of
Congress This is the poin; TO which they look
for all legislative assistance Of this character aod
TO which alone they can look. And when we
consider every Territory which has grown up
through the whole progress c: the growth OF oos
country, from small beginnings, from the modest
State, to become an important, rich. and power
ful State IN ,his MON. has me, with the same
difficulties with which The Territory OF Mnneso-
IA now meets IN reference 10 this subject, pre-