The daily union., 1852-08-19

ingenuity has been taxed TO multiply the means OF de-
ence and in the progress OF knowledge these have in
creased III number and power the OF as.
sauit have become more dangerous and efficient.
suppose no one will question If the alleged dscov-
cry OF Archlmedes at the siege OF Syracuse, by which
the Roman fleet was burned, should be repewed and
practically applied TO the destruction OF hostile squadrons
but that il would be fully competent authorize the
purchase OF mirrors larger and more expensive, II
sary, than ever issued from the workshops OF Venice,
IN order 10 destroy enemy seeking destruction
refer 10 such state OF things Illustrative of the pnc
pie which governs this subject and which enables 10
apply the advancing science OF the age indefinitely in
defensive as they may be applied IN offensive operations
suppose no one questions our power to encrcle the
whole country with wall OF stone, vast and useless
as that of China, should the wall Of hearts that de-
tends quail at the aspect al the approach Of danger
And our power is equally unquestlonabe 10
OF the vessels oil the navy from her cradle TO her desnsd
element either by marine ways, by canal, ditch,
you please for that purpose whichever mode might be
most economical expedent even 10 draw one across
the land, should she be required in a new situation
These are powers which fairly incident TO the main
tenance OF navy; and in the exercise OF this right Of
transportation, II i can be done cheaper and better by
ditch or canal than by the construction OF mode OF land
communication, surely it may be done without over
stepping our constitutional power. Such point cannot
be seriously contested
But will not push these considerations further II can
not be necessary ALI that is required is TO show that
this work. from the nature and condition OF the north
western frontier, is truly work Of defence. And in do
ing this shall not again 60 over the ground that has al
ready been occupied before the Senate. will merely re-
mark that Lake Superior is elevated above Lake Huron
about thirty feet, and that in the water communication be-
tween them at the Sault Ste. Marie fall or rapid OF
about twenty five feet which interrupts the navigation
between those great internal SO that vessels cannot
pass from to the other and their freight must be taken
out and carried across portage and then ranshpped for
its destination. or course neither the mercantile nor
military marine employed upon Lakes Erie, Huron, and
Michigan. which are all united by navigabe communca
tons constituting in fact one vast sheet OF water, Tor
the purposes OF navigation can pass into Lake SUPERIOR
and therefore double manne-bo,h commercial and mil
taryis required to do what should be the work OF one
md xuh mn hQ thQrA INN lna IN Tho
river st. Mary's, were the existing one overcome
The injury which this obstruction occasions, and will
still more OCCASION to the business OF the country has
been already sufficiently shown to the Senaie and needs
no repetition. II is, indeed, apparent on the slightest
consideration of present and prospective state OF things
in that magnificent and growing region.
Mr. President, IN both the wars we have had with
England IT has been found necessary TO have fleets upon
the great lakes In the revolutionary struggle we coed
do but little towards that object; but in the war OF 1912
efforts powerful and more successful, and
had armed squadron upon Lake Champlaln,
another upon Lake Ontario, and third upon the middle
lakes And SO long as Canada IS possessed by England
we must adopt the same policy in the event oil war with
the latter country whatever may be the nature OF the
operations in which we may find it necessary to engage
One of the senators disposed TO rebuke dsposi
lion TO look forward with any precautionary spirit TO the
possible future relations between us and England and
asks emphaticay il not prophetcay, if any fears
anticipates collision with that country.
WE'LL sir, il appears to me it required some moral
age TO propose such queson-almost, indeed triumph
antly-wheH il had been asked with much apparent
u
Georgia, [Mr. DAwsoS.l who, think, within a few
hours afterwards when the information respecting the
fishing difficulties reached u.s. made the amends honora-
bic, conceding the faibility OF human Judgment He
however advanced the conjecture that these troubles
might have been got up 10 ruin his reputation as a
soothsayer. do not know how this may have been,
how necessary England may deem it to assai his repua-
ton in this respect; but. sir II is assigning about
tlona motive for her course any that occurs 10
No wise government should calculate perpetual peace
Accidents beyond the reach OF human foresight and be-
G
the march OF nations ready to interrupt their amcabe
laons, and to bring hosties between them History
full OF lessons upon this subject and they may be yet
read with profit for the passions Of still influence
their course both individually and collectively; and
commend TO attention the letter OF Mr. Monroe TO Mr.
Adams, in 1915, read day or two ago TO the Senate
upon another OCCASION
"But It often happens with nations, with individuals
that just estimate OF their interests is not inabe
of their conduct We ought to be prepared every
point against such an event"
was forcibly struck with remark once heard made
upon the prevalent propensity TO embark in hostIlities
which has distinguished every age OF the world by
who died in exile. after having filled throne and gained
the honorable sppellaon OF the Napoleon OF peace that
nation out Of pdr as ueu as ictnt an
There is much wisdom well as truth in the sentiment
especially when we look, beside the material cost of
and the loss OF life occasions, to the moral evils il
is TO engender and TO its effects upon the social and
political condition OF country STILL II Will come, and
the true rule is to pursue the avocatons OF peace as
though would never break out but 10 watch the
signs OF the times that il would not find unpre-
pared should ii break out tomorrow. There so
many points OF contact between and Eng that
there may be many points OF conflict, which may involve
the Two countries war; unless their governments and
people animated with mutual spirit OF moderation
and forbearance Let song OF perpetual peace lure
TO danger- will say destruction for II we true
10 ourselves the united world In could not destroy
us
In the course OF this discussion, besides the improba-
bty of war, have heard charged as another
son for refusing TO grant this application, that II
would be useless, because, should war come, Canada
would fall with comparatively little opposition certainly
with so little to render military marine upon the
lakes unnecessary. Mr.. President, we are taught,
well by the book of history by the Book OF Revela
ton that the NOT asags 10 the sum, nor the battle 10
The strong. Too much presumption and sell confidence
have often robbed powerful nations OF victory, and driven
them recrean from the field OF contest II is not easy
TO reduce people determined upon resslance and in
any future with England, when or how may
the OF operations in Canada, or at any rate
their facility, will depend essentially upon the disposition
of the inhabitants England has great means OF annoy
ance-no denies that and II she should put forth
her full strengh-and who doubts t--she would be
formidable coadjuor with her Canadian subjects in the
defence OF the country That could overun and de-
prve her Of her possessions in oar neighbohood, am
perfectly satisfied.
But | wish neither 10 underate the difficulties we
should have 10 encounter the preparations we ought
10 make. II is an error committed once to our cost
and which hope we shall not commit again. IL ls an
error of which | parook well Others but from
which recovered by the aid of experience. There
was even then great disparity in our strength,
pared with that OF our opponents II is indeed, greater
now; but still British North America has increased since
then in rapid ratio in population and power In the
event OF war with England it will undoubtedly be our
policy, among other of annoyance, TO seize her
continental colonies and to hold them await the ar
II IF calf otrt