The daily union., 1852-08-19

undertake to say that this, war measure. might
not be yindicated, if expediency policy, and good faith
allowed us u tay that II was a war measure. Why,
sr. we have not ha with Great Britain for near
y forty ye4rs and why is il that for he first time il has
been suggesed-for believe this is the first timethat
IN cutting canal r1und the falls OF ST. Marys is 10
be done as war measure II is not usual, Mr. Presl-
dent, for war measures TO originate with legislation. II
not very common Tor OF this sort, for pur
poses OF war; to originate with single member, with
The legislative department OF this government Projects
OF this kind generally come down TO recommended by
the Department OF War, under the supervision and sug
| ges tons OF engineers
But allow me TO give you history Of this project,
which has now assumed the attitude OF a measure.
was here when this bill first introduced and il was
then introduced distinctly upon the ground that it fell
within the class OF that species Of bills which appropr-
aed the public lands for railroads that through the
public lands and take alternate sections 10 aid in their
construction That the measure to which this bill
was reIerble al the time 1t was first introduced, as
understood It, will not say that others did not under
stand II differently But the whole history Of this
ure may be traced in a very few words When il was
proposed upon the part oil the uni,sR States 10
railroad through the public lands, and allow the road 10
take alternate sections with view to improve the oher,
was vndicated upon the ground that the United States
landed proprietor, and had interest," therefore,
increasing the value Of its lands As long as il was con-
fined TO alternate sections through which the road ran, it
seemed 10 admit OF security and limit but how
long did that limitation continue A bill was presently
introduced 10 take the alternate sections Of land through
which the road ran TO the extent of fifteen miles each
side, and finally was proposed 70 take the alternate
sections in any part of the State And this the first
bill introduced here TO take land anywhere for the pur-
pose of cutting this canal around the falls OF St Marys;
and never till this amendment offered by the senator
from Michigan was il supposed to involve anything else
than the disposal of the public lands for the purpose OF
ehectng this object-this war measure, as II is now
called. 1t supposed that money would be re-
CURED for ii and this is the first bill thai has ever been
brought before Congress requiring nearly half million
OF dollars to be appropriated for the purpose OF cutting
canathe very first that has been brought
before the country for that specific purpose
ls said Is Tor war purposes Why, there scarcely
he IN
not be referred the object for the means OF war
are almost lllimitable. You make almost any
ufe war measure. When the proposition to aid the
Collins line was before and large appropriation was
| recommended because II was war measure, would
just as soon have regarded the barge Of Cleopatra sent
for the reception OF Anthony vessel OF war OF
these vessels of the Collins line, built for the purpose of
carrying men and women, and 10 run away from an en-
envy II to me the people of this country are to be
econciled to any measure whatever If you only appeal
to the spirit OF war; and do not want better usra-
ton OF it than could give from conversation that took
place between young trooper and revolutionary soldier
The young trooper flushed with excitement returning from
the paradeg round, met the old soldier and said We had
we shall have He said the enemy upon the
other side of the river, and asked il we would follow
him, and every one OF us said we would" Well" said
the old soldier jim, who are you going to war with !"
/" Why" said Jim, " Bonapare, and the British, and
amongst them" [Laugherl
Does the senator from Michigan Mr. CAssl suppose
that Great Britain is going TO make upon the United
States in the northwestern territory! will pay the
compliment 10 that people TO say il is the very last point
OF attack. But suppose one oil the senator's Scmpro-
nan speeches would spirit which would induce
the people TO charge the British upon horseback, and
Great Britain 10 invade the United States on the north
western frontier. Does any suppose for single mo-
ment that this is desired under apprehension
that Great Britain going to invade the United States in
the neighborhood of the gentleman [Laughter] Why,
sir, might well 60 to the lions den. have not
the least idea that Great Britain will make war in
that quarter When we look 10 measures OF this kind
must look 10 the ordinary sphere of
probability in which egsate; and there is not the
moes probability of an attack in that quarter And be-
sides, the honorable senator says il we acquire Can
ada there will be no necessity for making this canal as
But, Mr. President choose TO say that do not
gard as war measure at ALL Sir, there blessings
that they for the benefit OF Jacob. So you may
ask this appropriation in the name OF war; but il is for
commerce. | am not going 10 have my common
far bndedas TO say thai this is not commercial meas
Urea measure for internal Improvement for the purpose
oil aiding commerce. And did not the senator from Con-
| neclcut Mr. SMITH say as much And is IT not
truth Reduce H. SIR, 10 the simple form oil PROPOSE
ton, and is this To appropriate half million OF dol
lars cut canal for the purpose OF developing the To-
cal resources OF Michigan, and opening communication
baween the northern lakes and the seaport towns upon
the Atlantic And did not the senator from Connecticut
contend for much And sir, so far from obleclng TO
having those developed by the opinions OF this
commercial communication, would be The last man
that woad do so, if the work was 10 be effected by the
money OF those who exclusively interested in IT. But
when appeal is made TO the treasury OF the United
States, and am required TO pay part OF that money
have right citizen of these United States, to in
quire into the objects and operations oil the measure IT.
self
|, is often said by gentlemen here that they opposed
TO system OF internal improvements. Now, do not
hesitate TO say openly Mr. President, openly and before
the country, that preier-nhnely prefer--a general
system OF internal improvements TO local system OF IN
erna improvements and If the public treasury is TO be
expended by the United States for such objects, would
rather it should be expended road extending from
Washington New Orleans, and from Washington TO Bull
falo, and down the Mississippi river. taking these as the
great channels OF commerce. than TO appropriate II upon
any OF your local rivers barbors lakes, for any OF
your local purposesnot that would not be glad TO
the local resources of any part OF the United States de-
veoped but | do wish, in the regulation OF COM
merce it is be effected by the public money, that
shall be done somewhat with reference to equality and
Justice. And infinitely prefer that you should set down
now, under the sanction OF wisdom, and devise system
of internal Improvements that looks TO every part OF the
United States, than to bring forward local measure oil
this sort. do not hesitate 10 say So Why sir, II we
had the will and the wisdom of Deity, the temptation be-
fore would be almost great that could not under
this system, avoid being partial. Now, suppose Con-
gres should have the power according TO the theory OF
Espy, of making water descend from the clouds when
and wherever they wished II the very last power
before Heaven that | would wish to exercised BY
them II proposed that Congress should have the
power to regulate the Clouds and say where and when
rain should descend upon the nation, should say It
would require nothing less than the wisdom al God to
regulate such dspensaton And, sir, when you under
take TO regulate commerce by partial appropriations OF
money for local objects do moi say there is corruption.
Lords prayer lead into temptation" 1t is im-
possible that should guard against the temptations OF
interest No one knews what ~ necessary IN another
mari of tho couufrv. hut n his own