The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-28
Mr.. pEsAussuRE. Certainly. sir.


eompished nothing OF any Importance during The past Two
days. They have been spent about amendments which
could not be very material OF important. whether they
were adopted or rejected. | wish now TO say TO the
friends OF the bill matter OF suggestion for their
grave consideration, whether they would not better alb.
stain from entering into debate and rather hear what 9TH
ers have 10 say. There To be some necessity for
this course owing TO the ateness oil the session and the
press OF business upon think the friends OF the bill
will succeed best In accomplishing their object ii they
will orbear, as far as they from debate, and be will
ling 10 hear others instead OF speaking themselves.
Mr.. DESAUSSURE. Mr. President. am opposed
TO this bill, and shall have 10 vote against it, am es-
pecally opposed TO the amendment under consideration
introduced by the committee, which IS 10 appropriate
$4,000 Tor survey OF the Rappahannock river Virginia
together with other kindred amendments proposed by tue
Committee on Commerce; SUCH Tor example, as appfo
pIiang $4,000 for survey OF the Taunton river IN
Massachusetts,. aPPropratng Tor me survey q he san
Antonio river in Texas and repairing ihe public works
at Little Egg Harbo New Jersey and Tor the survey oil
East Pascagoula bay; for the survey OF Shrewsbury
vsr New Jersey 0r spsIs q T., repair
ment OF Cape Fear river, al and below Wilmington,
North Carolina There are several other amendments Of
kindred character proposed by the Committee on Com
MERGE to all of which ooject W.
differ very much from the distinguished senator from
Massachusetts, Mr. DAVIS who has just taken his seat,
who to suppose that these amendments unim-
portant. On the contrary regard them of the last
Importance; for however unequal and unconstitutional
may consider this whole system OF internal improve
mens however may regard il as leading TO the greatest
abuses, am persuaded that these amendments
than the bill, and show the inevitable tendency OF the
system, The bill ITSELF independent OF the amendments
OF the committee embraces some large objects OF general
concern but these amendments essentially vicious
they appropriate money Tor local objects. which the
country at large has no interest. aud lead exactly TO
will prove fatal TO the construction OF the consttu
ton which sustains them.
do not propose TO deain the Senate at this stage of
the session with constitutional argument upon the gen.
eral question believe that it would be out Of time,
and fear must add out OF place. Therefore, when my
friend from Mississippi Mr. ADAMs] yesterday referred
to the constitution was little surprised, for must
confess that have to regard the constitution upon
this subject pretty much as dead letter here II was
once deemed OF Importance to adhere to the letter OF the
constitution, and grieve to that in any particular i
should have become dead letter. regret TO be obliged
TO say that the constitution has become, in some parlcu
lars, Just what majority OF Congress choose to make
II; and yet that is the necessary result OF carrying out
the policy indicated by the bill and amendments and
which Is pressed upon US by gentlemen in favor OF a
| ment. F
believe that when ancestors framed this compact
OF union they acted wisely They thought so in their time
various political communities OF unequal power, yet il
might be made 10 the equal rights of all by i'm
posing certain restrictions on The power OF The majority
representation in this body But what sort OF protection
does furnish when come TO that class OF questions
where, BY loose construction, you would have the
power and where by strict construction according to
the letter and spirit OF the constitution, you would
have III Why, sir the majority will override you
They will override you, and make the federal compact to
mean whatever their interests may dictate
Talk about the guards which the Constitution has pro-
vlded that shall require three fourths in order TO effect
an alteration Why, sir two thirds OF Congress, OF
The State legislatures call convention, and it is
that It requires three-fourths OF the States to rafy
amendments That is very wise and apparently safe
pecauiion but when question up here to the
construction OF the instrument and the OF your
lpower-nowlthslandng the fact that, to common
dersandng, il will seem that no such power was ever
granted by the instrument yet when what are termed
large views of public policy prevail, perhaps the
higher law" inerposes II is found convenient TO con.
st,ue The constitution 10 carry into effect The objects
which the majority have in view. Instead, therefore.
OF the alteration OF the constitution by three ourths,
you have i altered By naked majority Of the two
houses oil Congress That is the result greve TO say
il, but it is and fear it will always be So II am
asked whether this incident all human compacts
concede IT, Then, what is the remedyi Why sir it must
be found in the high spirit OF the parties 10 the compact
and II there is no common judge to decide when the
agreement is violated and power usurped those who wish
10 force their views on the minority must do at the risk
OF The destruction of The compact and Of the Union.
know OF no other remedy than that But il 10 be
remedy which will rarely be resorted TO. There have
been times some amos, too recent to be termed gones
when The country has been excited almost TO desperation
by what have been supposed TO be usupatons OF
by the federal head The suffering States have discussed
separately, and some OF them conformity. whether they
should make common cause and The evil; but all
these discussions have ended in nothing The aggreved
States found out at last that they had better endure the
evils animated perhaps by Christian patience and hu-
mhiy, or by noble loyalty 10 benehcent Union il
may be by an unwngness 10 risk the consequences OF
lis dspeasure or It's arms However that may be, they
gave up Tue struggle. we are therefore remiited 10 the
purity of Congress and the orbeaance OF dsnerested
majority instead OF those safeguards which the consttu
lion intended 10 provide, and failing which, resort can
| only be had to a strong heart and firm will.
true, II has occasionally happened that in the
OF usurped power the general government has been
checked Thus, in the year 1891, the tariff policy was
arrested by the loud remonsirances-ihe mprecations
had almost said--of large portion OF the Union. who
denounced The policy fatal to their rights and interests
and necessarily destructive 10 the Union. You gave way
under The impression that consequences more disastrous
N han though a.
vanages could be gained by adhering TO that policy
which had been frauduIently ngrafted upon the consu
ton. and therefore you gacously and chaaby acceded
TO reduction OF the tariff hy graduated scale How
long did that last Only until the hungry applicants for
favor at your hands back here with importantly and
sharpened appelites TO demand another tariff and another
and oppressive tariff granted in spite of what
supposed to be compromise, and settlement OF the
question forever.
| have great faith in compromises and am afraid
that although may happen sometimes that the govern
ment may be arrested in this way, in the exercise oil
usuTped power, the lust of power aud love OF plumber
will prompt the renewal OF the attack believe IL
distinguished English statesman who said that you
may enencn yourself chin deep in parchment, but the
sword OF corruption will lind its way into the vials OF
the constitution. II is vain to rely upon parchment
Your constitutional forms must be grated in the hearts
AMI the habits OF the people, and be guarded by I'M
sleeping vigilance and determined courage or they can
not be preserved.
However. as said, do not propose TO enter into any
constitutional discussion OF the general question: but an.
poach the proposition before which relates TO the sur.
vey oil the Rsppahapnock river
Various opinions have been entertained 10 the power
OF The government 10 undertake general system of in
iernal improvements Distinguished statesmen have en-
Of np1 Ia tn,n II