The daily union., 1852-08-20

not lose dollar Dy tns appropriation OF the public lands
thought that-as on such questions had before been
very often defeated by majority OF this bodyhey would
still carry through the measure appropralng public lands
for this work.
Why is il that that course has been abandoned and h,
present plan presented This body may be compared Il
one OF these lakes and the other branch OF Congress
another. These appropriations OF the public lands fo
railroads and other internal improvements. il
not get from OF these political lakes bodies to the
other, SO as to pass through both The House of Repre-
seniaves have checked this prodigaly in the appropra
ton OF public lands Then il was instantly perceived
that the idea OF improving the value of the public lands
must be abandoned The next principle TO be resorted Ia
was, that was Tor the encouragement OF commerce. and
to put II upon the ground that Congress had power to
regulate commerce between the United States and foreign
countries aud between the States How is this idea mel
here! Why, there is division of sentiment upon that
power OF Congress- and many OF friends both sides
OF the chamber deny that under that article of the cons
tulon money can be appropriated for the encouragement
OF commerce.
Then was, when these two grounds had failed that
my ingenious and distinguished friend from Michigan
from South Carolina, decidedly begerent, thought
to raise the cry of war; in this country excite the pub
lie mind and seek for the passage of this bill upon the
ground OF the necessity of this canal as means of de
fence. Why, does he moi recollect that certain Secre
tary OF War; very distinguished for intellect and purity of
CHARACTER and now member upon this floor, once
commended survey Of this canal between those two
Iakess How many years ago was that' How many ad
mnsrations have passed since that survey took place
Several Has there ever been any recommendation from
either branch OF Congress for the appropriation of money
to cut this canal for The public defence from the days Of
General jackson down to the present hour!
Why ST. the distinguished senator INA from Michigan
said the other day that President Polk had it in his mind
once to recommend that this work should be completed
when he was apprehensive Of between this country
and Great Britain but he did not recommend it when
the cloud or speck OF war had passed away Where
that speck cloud of that makes il necessary that
this appropriation of halt million of dollars should be
made TO commence this canal as public defence The
from South Carolina has told you that no human
being now expects anything like The only specks
that see which render i necessary now TO make this
appear to be means OF public defence consist first of
failure in the appropriations of the public lands for build
ing railroads and canals by the stubborn
by The House OF Representatives; and secondly, failure
TO carry the measure under the idea OF increasing the
commerce OF the country These failures throw it
sarlly upon this grea, principle of public defence
Now, SIR It IS known TO you that am one of those
who vote for bills of internal Improvement whenever they
are Tor national purposes or for the purpose OF ncreas
ing commerce; but in every instance must r. for The
ae aed IN Ss and
Otherwise appropriations for them wouIu not, in my judg
ment, be constitutional
There two questions presented here-a question OF
constltutionaty and question OF expediency. waive
the question OF consttutonay and putting upon the
ground oil expectancy and referring to the history of this
country Tor the last twenty years in relation 10 this very
canal, what cause is there now for making this appo
prauon OF S500,000 OF the public money? There is
cause existing MIR. Polk said il not necessary.
No regular estimates have been sent for it
The estimate made OF the amount of the cost under the
order OF the Secretary of War many years ago. 10 which
was not made by the order of either branch of
Congress We have called upon the executive de-
partments to say whether this work necessary for
The public defence The departments have called
upon Congress to make an appropriation for this public
defence, or this means OF public defence.
The best plan Tor us 10 adopt in relation TO subject OF
this kind is to submit the matter 10 the Committee Mil
ary Affairs; let them ascertain if there be essiy for
such public defence let them call upon the executive
departments for all the information they have and lay that
information before US, and then let report be made upon
which you can base appropriation OF money and not
suffer senator, however elevated his character, how
ever supreme his control IN consequence OF that elevation
OF character. merely rise and present bill TO appropriate
half million Of dollars. without its being founded upon
single application from any department OF the govern
ment OF the country.
Why, sir. suppose some southern gentleman-my
friend from Florida, for exampe-should ask appro.
praton to-day OF million of dollars TO make canal
across the peninsula OF Florida that would
millions OF commerce. and render the defence OF the
whole Atlantic and gull coast much more efficient than il
is now would not gentlemen ask whether the gov.
eminent OF the United States through its executive de-
partment had had the canal surveyed, and esti-
mate made OF the expenditure and the necessity of its
construction! Surely they would ask that But here for
particular local objects, for the benefit OF State indi
ydnals, or companies holding large amounts OF capital in
different sorts OF mines-pnncpaly copper mineswe
called upon 10 appropriate this amount This improve
ment is in the language Of the senator from Michigan,
vastly important TO the local interests OF Michigan
have doubt OF IT, IL may be advantageous TO the whole
OF that section OF country in degree but not upon
the ground of It's being public defence, of
defence from foreign enemy. That, IN my judgment,
has been assumed ground upon which this appropr-
alton should be made, when the real truth OF the matter
is that the canal intended for direct local advantages
and perchance, commercial benefit Admitting that to be
So and putting 1t upon that ground, IL is known that
ority OF this body cannot be obtained 10 support IT,
That being known the only other ground upon which
all stand is this Whenever appropriation is asked
which is really for the purpose Of erecting public de-
fence, protecting frontiers, cites any
posed part OF country, then becomes general in its
character, and all stand upon it and make the APP
preparation Hence il is that il sought TO place this bill
upon that principle
Now, does this principle apply here land il il does
apply, is there any why to-day should make
the appropriation None at all. Mr. Polk has not
ommended it, Mr.. Fillmore has not recommended il.
As understand, no branch OF the government has ever
asked this appropriation.
MIR CASS. The honorable senator will allow me 10
say that he is mistaken. The construction OF this work
recommended by the President in bis annual
sage.
MIR. DAWSON Which messagel
Mr.. CASS. | think the President recommended the
construction OF this canal in his message Congress at
the session before last.
MIR. DAWSON. Did MIR. Polk make any recommend
alton
Mr.. CASS. Mr. Polk did moi make any recommenda-
hon TO Congress Tor the construction OF the work.
Mr.. DAWSON. Is there any necessity for il now I
Why appropriate money when there Is no existing ne.
cesslty Tor Do you say, in peace prepare Tor war Ii
you do there not many vastly more important points
coast requiring millions OF appropriation to place them
in deiensble condition This is for an inland section
OF the country upon the northwestern lakes, where an
enemy will scarcely again Now we are called
upon appropriate this money Tor that work, abandon
ing every other section OF country, and where have
The views of the honorable senator from Michigan him
SELF showing that he did not originally intend this work