The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-20

beautiful and wonderful invention, the telegraph.
on which the magnetic current, like a newsboy,
trayerses the wiry track. and instantly bears mes
cages from the Atlantic 20 the western frontiers OF
Missouri.
MIR. HARRIS, OF Tennessee. after saying that
the House was well prepared now as II would be
at any other time either to act upon the motion
pending or upon the bill itself, demanded the pre-
Nlous question.
Mr.. RANTOUL requested the gentleman to
Withdraw, the motion, as the debate, SO far, had
come from single section.
The House then refused 10 second the demand
for the previous question.
Mr.. RANrOUL said that, in his opinion, the old
thirteen States have certainly great interest IN
determining what shall be done with the poblic
lands. In some respects equal with the new; and
thequeston is what use can be made with the pubhc
lands until some general measure shall be agreed
upon beneficial and equally advantageous to the
Old and the new States.
a general plan of railroads, he said, has been
commenced, (not confined TO any particular State
or secuon,) forming portion OF great and Well
conrived system. The commerce OF the nation Is
destined TO be an Interchange between the valley
OF the Mississippi and foreign countries 10 great
extent Ii is matter OF interest, then, that addi
tional channels OF intercourse shall be constructed,
open and convenient. So far this bill proposes
TO aid Missouri, IT does without the ioss Of dol
lar to the General Government. II the Atlantic
States would have "A great commercial and navi-
eating interest, they should look to the agricultu-
raj productions of the West, which keep that inte
rest live. He would say to the people OF the North
east that cotton, wooen, and iron must some day
other be manufactured hundreds OF miles west OF
where they now The precise year cannot be
given; bat the West will cease to buy those things
OF the Northeast, and make them ust when it shall
think that II Will be 10 its advantage Therefore,
the Northeast should encourage the West in agfi-
culture, opening roads to the Mort beast and South
east, connecting the Atlantic slope with the valley
of the Mississippi in the cheapest and most pracu-
cable way. So sure as course shall be taken to
I a.
turing depart from the Northeast to the West.
Mr.. MOORE, OF Louisiana, expressed his regret
that gentlemen had connected schemes like that
contained in the bill with Internal Improvements
by the General Government. But by looking over
the statute books II would be that the very
first law regulating the public lands, at the com
mencement OF this Government, made large donI
tons of the national domain for public purposes.
Even before tbs Constitution was formed, dona-
tons were made for educational purposes Alter
dwelling for few minutes upon this branch oil the
subject, he proceeded to speak Of the project OF a
railroad from the banks OF the Mississippi opposite
TO New Orleans. to the State of Texas The road
Is to be abou; hundred and fifty sixty miles
in length; and if the grant asked Tor this purpose
shall be made, the work will be constructed. The
advantages OF such q means OF Accommodation
are apparent; several of which, stated by the
gentleman were, that the mail could be carried at
the lowest possible price. Instead Of weeks being
occupied in their transmission from New Orleans
to the Sa blne, they would get through III twelve
hours besides, there is hundred times lees dan
ger railroads than on steamboats,. In addition
10 this there would be immense saving OF time
to travellers by this mode of travelling, and like
wise of money TO the General Government, and to
individuals, in the item of transportation.
The greatest curse that could beall a country
for large tracts OF lands to get into the hands
OF pecuaturs; and he would support any proper
system 10 avoid such calamity.
Fifty one years ago be descended the Mississippi
river. The great valley of the Mississippi con-
tanned but few thousand souls and hatboats
conveyed the whole OF their produce to market.
In 1912 he the first steamboat touch at the
levce in New Orleans. Now a thousand palaces
atoat on that mighty stream, moving as if by
magic; and ten millions of souls occupy the Mis-
sissippi valley. In 1851 the products and COM
merce Of the valley were estimatedat 300 900 900;
and the xports domestic alone from New Orleans,
SOL o000 600 In view of all that he had stated, he
said that he proud Of being pioneer and a CT
tIzcn Of this glorious Union II be should live ten
years longer, he expected To railroad extend
ing TO the western limits Of Texas; and he antici-
patCd that the day viii come when the trip from
the Atlantic 10 the Pacific will be made in for
ty-eight hours. In conclusion, he spoke OF the be
nchts generally consequent upon the construction
Of railroads, which make every inch Of land
through which they run worth teniold the original
value.
MIR. FICKLIN said the more be considered the
matter, the more he was convinced that the course
of this Government should be more liberal in fu-
ture than il has been in the past Instead Of act
ing in n parsimOnious manner, and holding with
the miser's grasp the fourteen hundred millions OF
acres ofland which belong to the Government, it
h o Is agn nse pt me eT d9na
He spoke In favor Of the bill under consideration;
and, when he concluded his remarks
The House adjourned.