Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-09-01
Speech of Mr. Butler, of So. Ca,

SpeeCn OF uuf' butleII VI oO' Vd'I
on CUTTING CANAL AROUND FALLS OF ST. MARY S.
In the Senate of the United States, August, Is,
1852, rs in Committee of the Whole, having
resumed the consideration Of the bill granting
to the State of Michigan the right of way
and donation of public lands for the com
struction of ship canal around the Falls OF
ST. Mary's in said State, Mr.. Butler said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: regard this as one of the
most important measures which has been
brought before the Senate durisg the present
session. regard it as what may characterize
as q pioneer measure-as n measure leading TO
that system of internal improvements which has
been referred to bv the Senator from Kentucky /;
and shall take the liberty, in the very few re-
marks have to offer, 10 express my opinion
upon this subject Timo will not allow Inc to
go fully into the discussion.
1t is said Of war that it must necessarily be
unlimited in it's ends, and iimtuble in its means.
The latter cannot be defined or prescribed. |
shall not undertake to say, that as war nlea-
sure, this might not be vindicatcd if expedicncy,
policy, and good faith would allow us to say
that il was such measure. But, sir, We have
not had war with Great Britain for nearly
forty years, and why is it now, for the first time,
suggested that in cutting canal around the
Falls of st. Nlary's, we are TO regard it rs war
measure! 1t is not usual, Mr.. President, for
war measures to originate with the Legislature !;
nor is it common for any single member of the
Legislative Department of the Government to
originate proposition of this kind rs war
measure. Projects Of such a nature usually
come recommended from the Department of
War, under the supervision and suggestion Of
engineers IN reference toa system looking to
war | understand this is proposed by the
Senator from Michigan, as 4 war measure, with.
out looking to any particular war. Allow me
to give the history of this bill. was here
when the bill was first introduced, and it was
introduced distinctly on the ground, that it fell
within that species of bills, which appropriate |
public lands for Railroads running through the
public domain, which would take one alternate
section, under the view that the other would
thereby be increased in value. That was the
class of bills to which this was refcrable at the
time that it was introduced: at least so under
stood it. 1t was so spoken of in debate.
may not have understood it correctly. shall
not say that others may not have understood it
differently.
But the whole history of that system may be
traced in 4 few words. When it WAS first pro-
snseG that the Unfed States, as a landed pro-
pfieiof. 6drT allow road to run through the
public lands, and the road to take alternate Soc
tions with the idea that the Improvement would
increase the value of the other sections, it was
yiudcated on the ground that the United States
was a great landed proprietor, and had, there
fore, an interest in increasing the value of its
lands. TWAS conceded that suc! policy would
contribute to enhance the value of the land.
So long rs this was confined to the alternate
Al. ,,.h, Oh fbo md
some security and Invitation against abuse of
such a policy But how long was that limita-
ton adhered to! We all know that very short
~ afterwards bills were introduced not simply
TO take the alternate sections along the line of
the road, but to take sections anywhere within
fifteen miles of the line, and finally it came to
this, that land equivalent to alternate sections
could be taken anywhere within the State
Such was the state of things when this bill WAS
introduced, and this was the first that was ever
introduced here proposing to take land any
where for the purpose OF internal improvement
by cutting canal around the Falls of ST.
Mary's. Until the present session-uniil this
amendment was offrred-it was never supposed
that this bill would involve anything but the
disposal of public lands for the purpose of af-
fectinp this object-this war measure, as it is
true character of the bill. 1t is said, however,
that names are things 1t was never supposed
that money would be required for this purpose,
and this is the first bill requiring the appropria-
tion of half million Of dollars for tho purpose
of cutting 4 canal. 1t is, repeat, the very first
measure ever brought before Congress appro-
priating money for that specific purpose. 1t is
said thatjt is for war purposes that the canal
was to be constructed. Why, sir, there is not a
measure which can be brought before the Sen
ate, if the means of war are illimiablc, which
,aay not be called war measure. On this
principle, you may give any measure such COM
pexion.
When the Collins line was under considcra-
ton, We were to be rcconcilcd to the approprla-
ton Of q large amount for its maintenance, be-
cause those vessels were said to be war vessels.
Iwould as soon consider the barge sent by
Cleopatra to receive Mark Antony, war vessel:
as one of the Collins line of steamers YES
sci carrying women and children, and to run
away from All enemy, to be called 7 war vessel !.
1t seems to Inc, that the people of this country
are supposed to be willing to be reconclcd TO
any measure, if you appeal to their spirit and
love Of war. do not know that can better
Illustrate this war-like spirit and belligcrent
temper of our people, than by recting dia-
logue between young trooper and revolu-
tionary soldier Jimmy Pacton, in returning
fsom the muster of troop Of cavalry, called
upon Joe Num-, revolutionary soldier. Joe
had seen hard service-had experienced some
thing more than the ordinary dangers Of war.
Privatioas, hardshps, and the cruelty of a tr-
umphant enemy, fer a while, had been suffered
by him. He was great favoste, for bis frank
ness and good humor. Says Jimmy: Uncle
Joe, Captain Brooks made a speech to-day, that
satisfies me we are to have war. ten you
what he got our courage up to the fighting
point" @Webn says Uncle. Joe, "what did
the captain sayr' 10 understand Jiumy's ac-
count of the speech it may be proper to remark,
that the captain had served in the Revolution
with great credit, and one incident in his militia
ry career had attracted particular attention and
applaue.. In the face of an enemy much more
numerous than the party to which he was at-
tached, the captain, then STRIPPING, had volun-
teered to cross the river, little Saluda-and
make an, attack Thus the crossing stream
to attack, generally formed q part of the cap
tains address to his troops. Jimmy, in giving
his account Of the speech, which had inspired
him with SO much ardor and courage, (for even
after riding eight miles he was still chock fulD
said, that Captain Brooks had told them in ami
mated accents, that they must prepare their
minds for war. They must keep their swords
bright and keen Their powder dry, &C.; and
concluded by this stirring appeal: Now, fellow
soldiers, suppose the enemy was on the other