The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-27

visions to this have only 10 say, in reference 10
the course pursued by Mr. Polk on that subject, that
in my humble judgment. il he had left nothing else
TO posieny but that Argument In iayor OF the con-
sliinion and the rights OF the States, he would have
cred instrument and the perpeiuator OF the rights OF the
Saies And the doctrines contained IN tha. message were
not rejected by his party. No has been more
worlhily embamed the memory o his political friends
as mere civilian than has James X. Polk. Look upon
his administration Ii not only pure IN every
spec but II was model administration OF democratic
governments and in that veto message his answer to all
those who desire to preserve the political institutions o
The country should be lost sight of for contains
the purest and best OF maxms--maxlms which may well
be Observed and cherished by politicians OF both parties
know that high authorities be quoted on the other
side oil The question. know that the opinion OF Gen.
Jackson quoted know il conended that he assumed
that there were improvements which the federal
government had power TO make; and admit that the
democratic party, since his day, have admitted that the
federal government had this power under the constitu-
ton, Tor works which strictly OF national char
acte But sir, with all due Difference TO those who
ierain such opinions. agree with MIR. Winthrop in the
HoCse vi representatives, when he said that this is either
an entire sysem or Is no system at all Mr. President,
have searched in vain for the power, either express
implied, which will enable Congress legislae for any
such purpose; at all events SO far. rivers
cerned admit that the power to levy duties carries
with the power to provide for their collection and you
may improve harbos your coasts which necessary
Tor your commerce where these duties collected. ALI
this can be done IT done egmaely; but do not think
you allowed to erect houses and make ports
Of entry on rivers where vessels nevergo
Then. Mr.. President. finding no power in the consu
tion for these appropriations finding that those who
ought to understand, and who in my opinion did under
stand, this constitution better than any who
the perpetuity Of its institutions and the rights of the
people, depend preserving the constitution untouched
believing do that this bill not only nfracs that
cred instrument, but grossly and papably violates it,
cannot support that bill in any shape or form in which it
may be presenled-neither the amendments nor the
original bill We ought not to exercise any doubtful
untouched, and thus object still de-
sirabe than all ohersthe perpetuy OF our institutions
with their untold blessings Pursue this course, and you
will never again hear the unwelcome word "disunion"
in this chamber
is not my purpose go length into discussion but
must beg few moments OF the time OF the Senate
while 60 into the particular character OF this bill have
SAID that these appropriations embraced every State OF the
Union. II the bill onIiis any other States than those
which have excepted, am not aware Of it, There are
about seventy different appropriations in the bill as it
passed the House oil and il it be amended.
proposed by the Senate Committee Commerce, il
will then contain about ninety five appropriations, which
are to be distributed for various objects in various paris
of the United States.
will not consume the time Of the Senate by discussing
the great and manifest injustice which s hereby done 10
different sections OF the country by the undue preference
which is given 10 Others but there is 10 which
will alude. Here, for example, is the Tennessee rlver
My friend from Tennessee Mr. BELL yesterday said that
tenton 10 additional facts in regard it, That river
divides the line between Alabama and Mississippi at one
point An important town OF Mississippi is on The bank
OF that river large portion OF the trade there is di
recled TO that point and il this river could be improved
would greatly facilitate the conyeniences OF large
portion OF my constituents We are as deeply inter.
ested in the Improvement OF this river the State OF
Tennessee. South Carolina and Georgia are also
deeply interested, and Virginia and North Caro.
lima Sir, If the Improvement OF the Mississippi river
is work of national character, then the improve
ment OF the Tennessee river equally Ii two States
being interested in work makes il a national work
then State being interested in such work will make
half pafIn And mav In nd Gasf,f
subdivision. II having commerce OF 500 900 900
sufficient TO enllle any locality TO public improvement
then locality having commerce to the amount OF one
dollar would entitle il TO public patronage in proportion
it would, in short make il partly national. We thus
enabled 10 the wisdom OF the constitution in with.
holding this poweti aud hope my democratic friends
will see the difficulty OF drawing any line OF distinction
in the principles they have laid down for their action
They say that we may make appropriations for national
purposes. very much doubt the doctrine OF that asser
uon.
Now, although am consuming the time OF the Senate
in making these remarks, must still say that have
hope OF defeating this bill expect il will pass and not
only that but expect that next session the whole
OF these appropriations Will be doubled and perhaps quad
mped and the next session they will be still further in
creased for this small appropriation is but the nitatoy
step. When this question OF internal improvements
sprang up few years ago. know that IL sudden
ly from few dollars 10 hundreds OF millions of dollars
and you may depend upon it, that is TO be again
have no hope thai il will be rejected when see so good
a democra, as my friend from Iowa (Mr DoDGEl out
stripping the whg party on this aoor--in short when
see democrats on
improvements. have no hope that, from any efforts
put FORTH this system will be rejected My friend
from Tennessee the other day said that he wanted TO take
a vote, TO see whether gentlemen were Tor against
these works oil internal Improvement. can inform him
that political capital be made out OF this question
now. The time has been when such might have been
the result i orclby reminded OF a speech which
believe you and myself Mr. President once heard n the
House OF Representatives Mr. Sawyer OF Ohio, remarked
that his colleague Mr. GiDDIscsl had got TO be only
second rate aboonist. They did not allow him even
the honor OF Introducing the Wilmot proviso And il
is, Mr. President, with the wbgs they have got 10
be only secohdrate internal Improvement men, the dem
ocrats bavng ouislrpped them by long mark. Well,
sir shall what viii be the result II may be said
that the democratic candidate Mr. Perce while mem
Der OF this body, having voted against proposition of
this kind he would, If elected exercise the veto power
My udsment. however, is that Mr.. Polk the last
in this country who has will this power
Although have much confidence in the moral and po
hca honesty OF Franklin Pierce as in any man now v
ing though believe that he a member OF this
body, and this bill wete before him, be would vote
against it, yet have no idea that with the precedents
before him, be President OF the United States, he
would veto such bill say this with all due respect;
but cannot but feel that the democratic party have
yielded up this question OF internal improvements. To
be snre the wings, 10 compensate for this have yielded
up the two points OF banking and the protective tarh
ou SO Tar as the power of the government and the rights
oil the States concerned and taking into view the
Eliminating influences OF such legislation would rather
have lost both of these other two questions to have
served the government from the corrupng influences Of
this system OF internal improvements.
Some senators this floor are waverIng IN doubt and
hesitation to the they should pursue, between
tbe desire TO perform their duty according to the conu
tie, miserable appropriations for their respective States
should exercise preudical influence the