The daily union., 1852-08-20

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e-ground Tor the two nationsl trust would not long
pe so; and | have very strong impression upon my
mind that, in the event OF war with Great Britain
certain portion OF the two millions Of the best citizen
soldlery existing in the universe would be very likely to
oyefun Canada. and TO expe the British power from this
continent | acknowledge that have no doubt but that
result would be brought about il Great Britain should be
brought into actual hostility with us.
But what then Is il too much for now, for proec.
lion TO lille and for the defence OF frontier 10 expend
100000 IN order 10 make Lake Superior and the three
lower lakes all one water TO be raversed by
the same ieet! II seems TO sir that is only
sary 10 ask that question in order get answer from
every intelligent mind.
Sir did intend TO enter into the discussion Of this
question. nor do intend TO do SO now. desired by the
which had It in contemplation to offer TO this bill oI
adoption by the Senate 10 place il upon the ground thai
It was necessary part OF the naval power which this
government possesses-not the general power but
the naval power 1t is not designed for the transit o
troops or for the transit of military stores but the pri
mary and fundamental object of this bill, according my
apprehension OF IT, is TO transfer the armed vessels of the
United States to Lake Superior, and also from Lake Su
peor 10 the lower lakes and doubt not but that this
government has the power 10 establish the special
communication between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Mr. President in looking at the defence OF the frontier
and at the measures necessary TO perfect that Defence
not this expenditure of half million of dollars mere
plltance to accomplish great object that OF
pletely perectng-n the most economical manner and
with the least possible expenditure OF the public money
the line OF defence between US and the most powerful
government with whom we are most likely to come in
conhct' ask if either economy constitutional power
is in the way of accomplishing this great public object
Mr.. President rose rather for the purpose OF expla-
nation, and TO avoid misapprehenson, had ventured
TO meddle with this BILL and in order to place myself in
the right position, 10 state the ground upon which
debate in this body that il is not essential TO the public
interest TO complete this line of deences, shall vote
against the bill but am one OF those who go for the
defence OF the country | am willing to expend any
amount OF money for the defence OF the country, but
am not willing to expend one arlhing for the consuc-
ton of roads and canals within the limits OF the
aIUn atnQn nj hla HMM
Mr. BELL. wish, sir, TO ask the honorable senator
one question He places this exclusively upon the de-
fensive power-the war power; whether it relates to
The naval military force, suppose, makes great
difference. Transportation by the canal IN time OF war,
OF articles for ordinary military purposes suppose, would
be necessary as well as the transportation of ships II
that be true, it is giving the parties holding jurisdiction
over tract of land piece OF ground TO erect military
fortibcaon-a batery-upon II is the same principle,
| as understand IT.
| Mr. TOUCEY. Yes, sir.
Mr. BELL. Then, Mr.. President, if this be put ex
cusvey upon that ground the honorable senator repu
dates the idea OF commercial power or any other power
that is named, except simply the one which he has
stated. Then sir suggest to him whether he ought
not TO withdraw his amendments for if il is to stand upon
that ground, the United States ought TO have complete
control jurisdiction, and management of the land But
understand his proposition is TO cede it away Of the
States 1t is. that this condition OF being useful in
shall be wholly dependent upon what that State shall do
with i-wheher they shall keep II in repair or not IL
u.s. that alter we have appropriated the money
siruc this work, under the superintendent of our mill
tary engineers, we shall transfer II altogether from
CONTROL submit 10 the honorable senator whether his
proposition TO amend this bill is not totally inconsistent
with the principle upon which he places it.
do not pretend to be military man, or to be versed
in the art of war. like the honorable senator from Mich
igan, Mr. CAss;l nor do suppose the honorable
tor from Connecticut MIR. ToUcEYl is; but | should
like TO ask question OF the honorable senator from
Michigan, because he also speaks of this war
power | understand that this proposed canal is but
mile in length Just 10 get clear OF the falls and that
for the purpose of transferring any ships-owar which
we may have upon Lake Superior into Lake Huron, or
from Lake Huron TO Lake superior, the emergency Of
| the may require in time OF Now, want 10
inquire who the opposite bank OF this stream, the
ST. Marys Is there terra rna there, for the purpose
OF building forts and batteries upon the opposite side
How is the egress OF this canal 10 be guarded How
you 10 get your ships through this place in time OF war;
| The honorable senator says we can build forts and
batteries to protect our ships; but they can also erect
forts upon the opposite bank 10 niure our ships, and
doubtless they would II they saw we were transporting
naval marine 10 those upper lakes so that al last it
brings the contest upon the land, making il depend upon
the character and the number OF the guns in the forts
IL you extend this canal even TO Lake Huron, some fifteen
twenty miles, you would still have TO have your out
let upon each lake, as well as place OF ingress all ex
posed 10 the batteries OF the enemy
Then, sir, this whole preence-l do not mean TO say
that honorable senators have that opinion OF -his
whole argument OF this canal being necessary for war
purposes. entirely futile II the British population in
Canada should reach 10 such extent require
military defences to be increased If they should
reach TO such extent as 10 become formidable TO
there OF their FIRST acts in the event OF war, would
be to erect forts and batteries, TO command these
places. So that in any point OF view in which you
slider il, the argument is entirely fute-I had almost
said, though not versed in the art OF war, that il is
almost ridiculous TO put II upon any such ground.
Why, sir, although you may extend this canal, II woul
still be within the reach Of the enemys guns. Unless
you extend 1t the whole length OF the lakes you cannot
be out of the reach OF the enemy's guns and even
them when II enters Lake Superior, you would still be
exposed 10 battery erected upon the British side; and
on TO Lake Huron. There such lhng-if know
anything of the Bnilsh-as your making canal along
the line OF the two countries which you could in time
OF for the purpose OF Transporting your vessels from
lake TO another. intended, sir TO move 10 lay this
bill upon The table at the close of my remarks but if
any senator wishes to reply TO them, will not do
Mr.. TOUCEY. Does the senator IRON Tennessee wish
TO prevent me from replying to him upon the question at
alll
Mr. BELL will hear the senator from Connecticut ;
but intended TO 10 lay this bill upon the table II
the honorable senator's place this upon the principles OF
the river and harbor bill, they put in that bill and
II they convince me that that ground is tenabe,
will assist them in doing il.
/ Mr.. TOUCEY. With the leave of the senator from
Tennessee, will reply 10 his inquiry. The amendment
which have proposed to this bill is inconsistent with
the view which take OF it, ! acknowledge, sir, that,
my Judgment we have the power TO take this land for
the construction OF this work. for The object which have
stated upon making compensation to the private owner
II we had not that power, in my Judgment we could
construct this public work because the constitution limits
our power TO taking land for public use upon making
compensation and IL this be not for the public use,
within that provision OF the constitution, il is within
the provisions of the constitution at all
Now sir, is there any objection that the only purpose
for which want this shipcanal s 10 transfer our
armed vessels from lake to the other Is il objected
that interfere in the least degree with The