The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-22

ernment and will not be obnoxious to those constu
uonal objections which all sides assail the present
system. But IL introduces new element in the policy
OF the country, and perhaps that account requires
time TO be well considered and perfected. That II will
elicit discussion none doubt and that il comes too
late 10 undergo the ordeal of full debate the honorable
mover himself will admit Let il 20 to the country with
the remarks that introduced il here II will be studied
throughout the land, and gain strength is better an
dersood and then return hiiher with the commentators
oil the whole nation, the best devised mode OF throw
ing out OF Congress this exciting and dangerous topic OF
debate Such being my sentiments in reference TO The
amendment. aud being unwilling endanger lis success
by hasy consideration OF It's merits, ieel authorized
10 address myself to my honorable friend from illinois,
and 10 ask him TO withdraw IT, TO give himself time TO
perfect the system which is intended 10 initiate the
Senate an opportunity of besowng upon il the attention
which il is so eninenty entitled to claim, and the coun
try an occasion of testing its appropriateness through
the workings OF that other system which il is destined TO
supersede.
Mr. DOUGLAS Mr. President, deeply regret lha,
had not the opportunity of laying the subject before the
Senate at earlier day Of the session. order that we
might have obtained full discussion OF the al
this session. II could have done so, should certainly
70 final vo WIN The he hops beng
same day that the bill came from the House OF Repre-
sentaves; and, by the unanimous courtesy OF the Sem
a,e procured an order to have It printed The spirit IN
which has been generally by the Senate and espe
cially by those with whom have been in the habit OF
acting politically, makes deeply sensible that am IN
der obligations to yield to their suggestion to give them
further opportunity OF considering II, with the anxious
hope OF being able hereafter TO mature IT, and make this
plan upon which may all unite, and thus enable us
to have regular system for the Improvement OF rivers
and harbors am deeply impressed with OF the
courtesy and kindness with which the proposition has
been received, and with the suggestions that have been
made, that il will require more mature discussion than
can be given to II in one day; and with the view OF re-
newDg the proposition at the next session oil Cong
and OF putting it then into such shape that may not be
obnoxious to any one, and OF pressing to hna adop
ton in such improved shape, will for the present with
draw it, order TO allow the Senate to proceed with the
consideration OF the bill.
Mr.. ATCHlSON insist that the senator has no
Mr.. BUTLER. object to withdrawal OF the amend
ment.
Mr.. DAWSON. | regret exceedingly that PROPOSE
on should be made 10 withdraw the amendment and for
this announced that should consider the vote
upon il as test vote. Ii il be the intention OF those who
are IN The majority TO avoid coming to test on this ques-
ton, shall accompany II by motion 10 lay the whole
bill the table, for both propositions are now compara
lively new. No appropriations have been made tor the
last ten or twelve years Tor this obIecl and now we are
either to adopt new system or revive an old system.
Let the decision OF each be coiemporaneous, and "
majority in favor OF the amendment presented by the
senator from Illinois, then the question will be settled IN
that way and If they should not be IN favor OF II, II
would be settled in the other way. Now, let not one
be Withdrawn from Congress TO keep the ques
ton before the people, and claim that existing ques
ton which parties TO be rallied. The fact that this
amendment is not pressed shows that there is deerm
nation pass the original bill without any connexon
with thus trust tina, both will go together, and
aior from Illinois, lay The whole subject upon The Ia
be- so that al the meeting OF the next session oil Con-
sie.s we can have an opportunity 10 discuss 1t
MIR. CASS. do not know what right the honorable
from Georgia has 10 intimate that there is pof-
ton Of the Senate afraid 10 come TO decision on the
amendment now.
Mr. DAWSON did not say so, or intimaleit.
Mr.. CAoS. Then beg The senator's pardon, Tor 50
understood hun. thought be meant TO intimate that The
majority favor OF Inc bill wanted to evade lAis ques
uon.
Mr.. DAWSON. | said that the withdrawal OF the
proposition was evidently an evasion OF the question
upon this ground
Mr. CASS. | ask what right the honorable senator
from GeorgIa has 10 say so Here is proposition that
the honorable himself has not had opportunity
to put into proper shape That is obvious; II is conceded
on all hands. AS | have already said, the dispute be
tween the senator from South Carolina and the colleague
OF the gentleman is the strongest ILLUSTRATION OF the dItl.
Guilty oil the system proposed; and instead OF pressing
now II must be perfectly evident that this proposition
be fully discussed and passed by the two houses
oil Congress al this session. That is certain that
the sun which has now gone down 10 the west Will rise
again tomorrow morning IN the east Why, then,
should we who want to have the bill passed IN some
proper shape go and discuss amendment which we
know cannot be passed al this session THIS involves
new system; II involves a great, complicated, and
difficult constitutional question; and lis obvious tend.
ency is TO sink the bill, without adopting the system
proposed;
soS does mean, am sure, To intimate that there be
any disposition on my part TO eyade The question
Mr.. DAWSON. Not a, all for believe the senator
Mr. SOULE. II he had could have made this obyi-
answer, that am ready 10 vote and TO vote for
the amendment
MIR DAWSON. | am aware OF il and therefore my
remarks could not be applied to you
Mf. SOULE. Indeed, sir, II was with no such view
that ventured the suggestion made TO my friend IRON
Illinois IL made on my account and responsi
bllliy considered that the amendment might be IN
danger II urged at that late moment when so little
leisure was left TO give il deliberate consideration
wanted TO the which II initiated have fair
trial not only here, but before the country Ii could
be expected that would easily be induced 10 incorpo
rate IL in the present bill before had gone into a
invesg alton of its probable workings and results As
felt assured that 1t would not fail commencing itself To
the nation desired that might 60 before the people,
and return here escorted by expression o public
sentiment Such my object, and other. IL lakes
time to uproot long settled prejudices. Ii truth
has lis attractions and wins sometimes by its very novel
y has also to contend often against dsrust o in
novatlon and that obstinate rspugnance which we feel
against surrenderng opinions have long cherished,
and which constitute OF the cardinal articles OF our
political faith. have said already that the main fes.
i've judgment but am prepared pass upon all It's
details, nor IS the Senate. | want more light wish
TO anayze every part OF H. and to how can realize
the great object we have all in view TO attain, which
to do justice 10 all the exgences imposed upon this gov
ernment by the condition OF barbofs and rivers, with
out violating the charter which alone hold sae that
government and the interests seek to advance and
project
Mr. DAWSON. desire the question 10 be understood
distinctly here and everywhere else. The amendment
offered by the from Illinois creates no obligation
upon the States 10 carry IL out by law; il will not be
carried into execution single State in the Union be-
he ext tphtch ia only