The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-25

have formed Judgments upon the question: and although
we have no hope for the future still we can perform The
very humble duty OF standing upon The watch lower,
and at least have the courage say that we see storms
ahead though Others choose TO conceal the sight
from their view. | know very well that. so far as re-
CARDS the State that represent, not dollar has ever
been appropriated Tor internal improvement there moi
dollar believe, under the notions that now prevail can
be appropriated there and believe not dollar viii ever
be asked for the State Of South Carolina.
But what intended particularly 10 say before took
my seat this. in answer TO my honorable friend iron
Michigan, Mr. CAss that had heretofore relied much
upon the vigilance OF party opposition, Sir believe
exeT,s salaary influence TO have the vigilance oi an
ton And il the before you had been in-
uoduced twenty years ago, It would have met with the
opposition and condemnation OF the very in favor
OF it, But regard this trans ton measure IN
which both pailies likely to concur, and in which
there is no, that security which is 10 be obtained N the
this lime henceforlh believe there will be nothing like
the distinctions OF party And although s said some
times that party spirit is bad IN its effects and 70 70 be
deplored believe that II sometimes is, yet It has
been of the securities OF this Union that one party
has been opposition TO another, and has IN some meas
nre controlled lis public course. But if this party dis
tDction be oblerated in regard TO this bill,
we will be passing measure which, 10 my opinion,
will lay the foundation OF great imperial Union TO be
erected upon the ruins Of our constitution fon may
Union in which both parties concur to appeal TO the
treasury Tor the distribution OF money, upon the ground
that the different sections of this Union to live upon
the bounlies Of the government The worst sentiment
that can be embraced by free people is that which
leads if TO look TO the government for bounhes TO give
resent Of your bounes; all that they ask is
TO be let alone-lhey take of themselves They
have asked nothing OF this unjust distribution OF the pub
c treasure 10 build up one section at the expense OF
the other.
Now if the moaey which il is proposed to appropriate
Tor internal improvements is 10 be appropriated as boun
ties, where does il come from Does il come from the
sections that ask the bouny' II that is the case then
why should not the amendment OF my friend from Hi
nois Mr.. DouGLAsl prevail When this constitution
framed it was understood that there to be local
demands for Improvement and with that vew II was
left 10 those local communities TO make them by ton.
mage duties to improve local ports and harbors That
the understanding when this constitution adopt
ed The very fact OF having that in the constitution pre-
supposes that there local inequalities TO be supplied
and overcome and the trainers oil that instrument intended
allow part OF the country improve itself by the
indicated in the constitution ilselI II never un
derood that this government should ever have the power
to distribute the funds OF section OF the Union Tor the
benefit OF another. II was never so understood And
in saying this, hope il will not be regarded serious
reproach 10 me that think with Mr. Madison and with
Mr.. Monroe, and in some respects with General jack
son, and with Mr. Polk upon this matter.
Il is said, however. that my position is in conflict with
the position taken by my late venerable and amened col
league. Mr. Calhoun. I know that. stood up in this
Senate, and told Mr. Calhoun that disagreed with him.
1t is well known that told Mr. Calhoun that thought
the greatest mistake he ever committed was in The view
he expressed in that Memphis report and that, as un
des,ood it. il afforded security that would not be
abused And he invariably told me-he invariably re-
that admitting that il change from The early prac-
lice OF the government when the constitution adopt
ed had nothing but the Atlantic inlerestthat this
great Mississippi interest then unknown 10 the
stution. He said 10 me, here the Mississippi ac-
qued by the treaty with France, and we all well know
that that interest important and equal al least TO the
Atlantic interest and will you refuse by that cons,ruc-
lion OF the constitution, 10 have the Mississippi interest
improved, and e, the Atlantic interest have the proec
ton which will be given 10 II by this distribution OF the
money OF the government? Well, sir, my reply TO Mr.
Calhoun was what make now 10 the gentleman from
Tennessee, [Mf. BELLl that | would much prefer to
amend the constitution than 10 violate H. do not IN
derake TO say that II oreiatbers had expected that
our government would have been extended such
extent OF country is, they would not have put
provision in the constitution 10 make appropriations
tor the regulation OF commerce upon the Mississippi
But the constitution stands II L. Laws are station
ary-things progressive. Events have not changed
the import tue intent of that constitution. Yet you
are eyaiing BY compromises and constructions, and II IS
no longer the constitution IT has lost is identity
] am not one oil those who will consent TO violate the
constitution upon the miserable ground OF expedency,
and all The security which the minority have
der the constitution taken away from ihem and my rights
violated by provisions constructions, compromises and
platforms.
know tha, that great statesman, (Mr Calhoun,) en-
tertaned the view that the Mississippi could assume
the complexion OF national river because II ran through
several States. differed with him And say, with
great respect that while the constitution has clause in
relation 10 compacs between States, does not exhaust
the power OF Mississippi 10 make compact with Ala
1 bama, Missouri TO make a compact with Arkansas,
and on, until the compact extends from the mouth Of
State makes compact with another il loses It's right 10
make compact with third State. The very article OF
the constitution referred TO by the honorable senator from
Illinois, (Mr DoUGLAs and upon which he founded bis
amendment and which that compacts could be form
ed between States sho that these local Improvements
intended to be made by the States and the expense
was 10 be borne by the States.
will make one more remark before take my seat IL
was supposed at first that United States bank was alb
sogiey necessary regulate the currency OF the country
and long relied upon u prop, we believed
we could not get along without . But scarcely was u
broken down before the commercial connexon through
out the United States became more general and close and
commercial communications now much more iRtmate
and intelligent Than they were before the United States
hank was destroyed, and for the very that
changes are now based upon private faith
Now, il the United States undertake assume uris
the jurisdiction OF the State. My friend from Virginia
(Mr HVsTrR touched upon point which have thought
much OF relation 10 this matter-hat s that the United
States has exclusive jurisdiction has al ALL with
regard TO rivers in the different States Take Georgia
for shall undertake TO give illustration for my State
Suppose the United States undertook clear out the o.
mugee and Georgia protests against IL ands says no
you shall not clear out our rivers will clear them ont
according TO our own policy Well sir the United States
have the exclusive jurisdiction OF these rivers according
90 the doctrine broached here and therefore they pro-
wishes OF that State, because the tendency OF this doc
trne Is TO iederaize this matter and exclude the States
from any interference at all in the improvement OF their
own fivers and harbos There is but proposition
upon this subject II this power is exclusively in the
United Sales is exclusive The moment II assets s h
risdclion il Is ooneurrent until does assert its uTs
dcon, and The States may render aid and assistance In