The daily union., 1852-08-29
THE UNION; WASHINGTON SUNDAY MORNING. AUGUST 80 1852

for these harbors as places OF refuge is daily
storms OF the most violent character rise there almost an
simultaneously; aud imminent is the danger OF life and
property that no Just legislature refuse 10 make some
provision for their protection.
The amount OF properly upon Lake Erie annually s
estimated at TWO hundred millions OF dollars The ION.
mage OF the lakes is Two hundred lhousand the passen-
gers who commit themselves TO the mercy OF these
waters lille short OF million every year; and all
TINS has been the work OF few short years. The sena-
Tor from South Carolina, lMr. DEsAUssuRR,l for whom
entertain great respect, says that lake and canal
navigation shortly 10 be superseded by railroads and
therefore should suspend proposed Improvements
That may be do not say il will not But would the
senator from South Carolina refuse To build railroads. be-
cause IN the course oil lew years that mode OF loco
motion and transportation may be superseded by
method still more desirable Certainly not Let me
tell that honorable senator that the navigation OF the
lakes from Superior TO Ontario be superseded
by railroads. Ii cannot. be done. You must devise
some more economical mode OF transportation than
railroads furnish before such result can haPpen do
not say how far "progress" may go-my friend IRON
Kentucky lMr, UNDERwooDl VIII appreciate but
allow me TO remark that within my time two facts Illus
tratve OF the advance of knowledge have taught me
lesson, and rebuked presumptuous antclpailons The
one was the Erie canal which, when projected, was rdl
culed and called in derision the big "dtch but which
IS now one OF the most useful avenues OF communlca-
lion in The world. The other happened in lSO6-7,
when Fulton, the inventor OF steam gaonor rather
should say the who first applied steam mac icay to
The purposes of gaon--asked OF the legislature oil
the State Of Ohio the exclusive privilege OF navigating
the rivers within that State with boats propelled by steam
and consideration Tor tins privilege, he offered TO con-
four miles hour. | was then member, and thought
myself very wise, and did many other members, and
we thought the proposition one not worthy OF serious
consideration and showed wisdom by an almost
unanimous rejection of it,. With these two facts within
my experience, must say, that when any project is
brought forward do not undertake to predict what will
be the result but have made up my mind that in all
cases will wait for the trial before venture 10 pro
nounce judgment
One word more and have DONE Some gentlemen
have objected that in all these OF appropriations
majority decide and therefore injustice may be done
Certainly somebody must decide; and il is not ma
jory il will be minority and do not believe that the
public interest would be safer with the few than with
the many. And if we desire the perfection OF minority
find them al Petersburgh, at Vienna
al Constannope, and at many other places, great and
small. The authorities there have majoriies, with
their discussions and votes to trouble hem and they
Joy themselves in all the repose of dignifed minoes.
All that be done where free institutions prevail
mark the chart OF the government and adhere 10
prescribing the necessary limitations, and then leaving
The majority TO decide on all questions that may arise,
and to decide upon their responsibility and sense OF duty