The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-20

gesled. weconcocled system, which he has promul-
gated TO The Senate to-day How many are there 10 unite
win him on thai plan he shows US vary clearly that
he Is willing 10 adopt some mode which, II The majority
OF the senators will up to him, WILL IN his opinion,
AVOID this unequal distribution OF The lands 10 lew Of
plan Just he H. he will persist IN his past course,
and permit The waste to go on by these partial appropra
lions 10 the new States until the whole are exhausted.
lie will not agree that the moneys received from them
upon sale shall be received into the treasury OF the Unl
ted States trustee for the benefit Of all the States.
and be distributed among them accordingly. great
many advocates 10 be found for that SYSTEM but he
will not agree TO that. That would be mode OF
curing justice 10 the whole Another mode would be 10
distribute the lands in kind among all the States But he
will agree 10 that, because II might lead 10 general
system OF internal Improvements, 10 which he says he
is opposed, or which he abhors as said moment ago
have heard this idea of general system OF internal Inn
provements so often mentioned that want from the hon
orable senator from Virginia explanation of what
he means by it, have not only heard il from him, but
have il on what called platforms We told
by these gentlemen that they opposed upon principle
TO general system OF internal improvements. sure,
Mr.. President you have seen such platform as that
What sort oil system The honorable senator III favor
of
Mr. HUNTER | am in favor OF none 10 be carried
on by the general government
MIR. BELL Does the honorable gentleman mean by
this general system only such internal Improvements by
the general government as lie within The limits and lnrs
dcton OF the States, slch roads and canals running
through States ~ he does, understand him distinctly
Many OF those who hold TO This idea tell u.s. and have
told for several years. that they opposed 10 gene
raj SYSTEM but they not opposed 10 certain internal
improvements They go against general system-that
is the making of roads and canals through the States by
the authority OF the general government and by moneys
paid out OF the United States treasury.
MI. HUNTER am opposed 70 making roads and
canals through any OF the States at the expense OF the
general government. Is the senator answered now
Mr.. BELL. No, sir.
MIR. HUNTER. II he will PROFOUND his question
o BEI r M honorss senator is not alone in his
doctrine upon this subject There is pretty large party
holding tue same creed | expec, that is the party the
tramps OF which the senator heard coming up the sup
port OF State rights and il is assumed that they will
trae all before them. do not to say that it il
should be So it is matter which should abhor by any
for do not perceive, in the present aspect of al
fairs, that there be any great practical difference in
the administration OF the affairs of this government
whether i shall be by party another But the
ator says he IS opposed to general system OF internal
mprovements--that IL, to making roads and canals
within the jurisdiction OF the States at the expense OF
twenty years stern cpponen, of such system and
know of no large party in the United States that
IN favor OF such system. But sir, upon well
| considered view OF what | thought to be practical
and benefcent construction OF the constitution, am
in favor Of making certain internal improvements
by the authority and by the means OF the gene
raj government have been led to this view
by the further reflection and consideration that it
would tend TO impair the just wisdom and beneicence OF
we have such power--f il should be decided that
there inhibition in the constitution against the
general government protecting the navigation and clear
ing out and improving the great rivers and other natural
channels OF communication and intercourse between the
different States continent like this, and in valley
like that OF the Mississippi which is TO constitute the
major part OF this Union in time TO would regard
il great calamity TO the whole country. The great
OF the interior not within the jurisdiction and
control OF the States and if Congress does not clear
The distractions 10 navgaon the States cannot These
rivers are deemed 10 be under the jurisdiction of the
United States, nayigabe rivers repeat that should
regard great calamity if the constitution should be
construed strictly that could not have that power
although we have the power OF regulating in
the INTERIOR given in the same clause and in the
tarspc nEt ha n,nbtr 4
commercehe power the great rivers and lakes
of the interior that have the seacoast The pow
honorable senator says that The latter is for foreign
merce only. Not al all You erect lighthouses. keep
Lights. place out beacons and many other things on
the coast at annual expense OF millions you expend
millions the coast survey, TO give facility and safety TO
the trade and navigation between the States inland
coastwse. say, then, 1t is an unreasonable and an
oversaned construction OF the constitution make this
difference and that tends 10 weaken for the affections
OF the people OF large section Of the United States Life
and property, trade and prosperity, considerations TO
which mus, look, in the interior well on the
seaeoast But ] come back to the honorable seHa-
tor understand the honorable senator TO cay that he
opposed 10 general system OF internal Improvement
say that | am also deem it inexpedent, to say moth
ing OF the power. would be opposed to it other
grounds but do not pretend TO go now into the power
OF the federal government 10 do IT, because have found
sufficient objection to II IN it's nexpediency and in the
necessity 10 prevent the extravaganza and corruption
ment OF our great rivers and harbors the lakes
Is the senator IN iayor OF internal Improvements to any
extent
Mr. HUNTER am not
Mr. BELL. That is the way understood him the
other day, when be said he opposed 10 general
tenn oil internal Improvements and that Is The point TO
which intended 10 advert IN regard 10 the doctrine OF
State rights However much may respect that gentle.
and those who hold similar views with himself
whatever good there may be in having party in th.
country that stands positively all questions OF this
description, and is the watch TO guard the limits
OF the constitution, yet upon these practical and beneh
cent points OF internal trade and navigation think il is
TO be regretted that these gentlemen feel themselves 10 be
so much ,rsmmeled
That incidental question noticed in my remarks
yesterday. alluded TO IL, aud asked in reference 10
the Improvement OF the great lakes and rivers OF the
country, and in reference 10 the tariff what practical
good what benefit, resulted 10 the country from the
course OF the Staerghs party except the general bene
fit that may be derived from the opposition of party OF
this description, always al hand question and oppose
every measure OF questionable constitutional power
Now, wish TO say that have had the highest respect
State rights party from my first coming into public life
! formed my early notions by them. | practsed upon
them took their principles and their practices upon
faith during my noviilale in politics, without any careful
examination OF my own. | have the highest respect
not only for their talents but for the sincerity OF mos, OF
those gentlemen who have figured largely in connexion
with that subject and for the who has To- day
stood forward as the leader of that party.
! have detained the Senate on these points 10 show
that regard great misfortune that any party in the
country should hold such scruples in regard the public
domain that they allow il TO be unequally and partially
distributed, Tor fear that any equal and Just policy
would lead 10 lax construction OF the constitution in re-
gard TO the power OF making internal improvements.
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