The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-25

States in the event Of a with foreign maritime
power; 70 defend California from ioelKn enemy Can
OF al this time with either France Engla La
of with either OF those powers what would
be the necessary result Z Could we send single man.
could we send OF powder, TO the assistance Of
mat State by the superior fleets OF England and
Francederded the powers OF those governments may
have been here-it must be manifest 10 every who
Will reflect that We could not lunl the energies OF this
country and all IFS vast had been brought 10
bear upon the subject OF resistance, and that would
ualess by accident We would not then be in position
TO defend California in the event oil with foreign
maritime power superior TO without such railroad
say therefore that il Is necessary for the military puT,
poses OF the federal government that this road should
be made without it, OF the States OF the Union
would be beyond the reach OF protection by the fedora
government
If am right in the first proposition, that the federal
government is bound to defend every State 10 this Union
il am right in the second proposition. that without
such road she could give no defence to California,
the conclusion irresistible that under the power TO
make military road the federal government possesses
the constitutional right to make the road indicated BY
this bill and being otherwise unable to defend Caior
MIA, she is therefore bound 10 make this road The con-
stutiona power make such road Tor military pur-
poses will not be denied by any one. II will be con-
coded by the honorable senator from South Carolina,
Mr. BUTLER who may feel justly proud IN being con-
sdered spar excellence" the guardian OF that inslru-
Mr. BUTLER. If am defender OF the constitution,
q very poor | am afraid.
Mr. PRATT. 4 thought the senator sand the other
day he was proud oil the designation.
Mr.. BUTLER. So am.
Mr. PRATT really have believed him to be so
anxious to defend the constitution according 70 his un-
Of IT, that suppGssd ne was entitled to ms
As to think that nobody can differ from him and be right
say then. that this is proposition which even that
the o war Or
could not defend California without military road from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, he cannot avoid admit
ting the right Of the United States to make military
road and cannot help concedng the obligation on the
part OF the federal government to place herself in posi-
ton to defend that State If she j. not in that position
without this rOadif this road is the only measure by
which she place herself in that posonshe is bound
to make the road. He surely will not deny this.
One or two observations more and will conclude. The
bill introduced by my honorable friend from Texas pro-
vdes for the completion Of this road II differs from all the
other have had before US in this particular
that provides that the road shall be made and provides
the means for making il. All the others for some
preliminary steps to be taken before the question is de-
iermaed whether the road shall be made or not By
this bill the road to be made Therefore 1t Is that
am in favor OF this bill in preference 10 all the rest
This bill contains feature objected to by Others but
which constitutes the main reason Of my approval Of
in preference to others, and that is, that it takes from
Congress the necessity, after these surveys shall have
been made, of deciding which route shall be chosen
feel thoroughly convinced that if should wait until
submitted the Congress of the United States indicating
some hall dozen routes and half dozen terninl,
upon this side and upon the Pacific it would take Con-
gress longer time than they would have any session OF
Congress- with the conflicting interests represented here
to determine which of these roads they would adopt
Now, for the purpose have indicated, 1t is not matter
of paramount importance which route is chosen. say
that it is the duty OF this government TO place itself in
position to defend California in the event OF be-
tween this government and foreign maritime power. and
it is material what route is selected for the purpose
have Indicated; but it is material that we should place
ourselves, soon as we can, in position to discharge
our duties.
believe Mr. President, if those who oppose this bill
will suffer its friends have the amendments which they
propose TO offer made to the BILL and thea come and Of
fer their objections the bill it stands amended that
all such objections will be readily answered will
PROPOSE II II be in Order the two amendments which
have indicated
Mr. MASON | have made the motion to commit
the BILL and that question must OF course be taken before
any further amendments can be received.
Mr. GWlN II the senator desires to commit the bill,
then lei have test vote upon the proposition, to
see whether are to have the bill or not
The PRESIDENT. To what committee does the
ater from Virginia propose to refer the bill
Mr. MASON. To the Committee on Roads and Ca
nails.
Mr. GWIN Inasmuch as this proposition comes from
avowed enemy OF the bill, and for the purpose OF de-
feang the bill hope the friends of the measure will
Mr. MASON. am an avowed enemy TO the bill, bu,
this motion is not made for the purpose OF defeating il
trust the bill will be defeated by fair vole but my object
is TO have the bill perfected If the committee do il,
in its details. -Four or five gentlemen in committee
perfect the details OF the bill which it would be i'm
practicable for tie Senate 10 do.
Mr.. GWiN. | understand the gentleman from Vir-
gnia say that he would not vote for any bill OF this
Mr.. MASON Nor will L.
Mr. GWIN. Therefore, say he is an avowed enemy
to the road.
Mr.. RUSK. rise simply for The purpose Of saying
that regret extremely that the want OF time and
sty OF coming TO a vote, which believe il is duty
to do upon this bill at this time, will prevent my
ing the eloquent remarks but very mach mistaken views
OF the senator from Virginia must be permitted, how.
ever, here say that deny that there any assaults
upon the constitution in the provisions OF this bill Sir,
there breach OF the constitution in failing to carry
out those provisions of it which impose upon you the
duty to govern and protect your citizens and TO extend
equal rights TO all The citizens OF this republic. There is
now existing tax upon every man who goes to Caor
mia of $500, which this bill repeats The dying groans
Of hundreds Of your fellow cItzens constantly travel
ling through the wilderness between the two portions OF
the country and the dead bodies of thousands who have
sunk into their graves by the way, rise up to charge you
that, Notwithstanding the people OF the United States
have been for SIX years urging this great work upon you
the Congress of the United States have been standing
here violating the constitution by refusing TO carry ont
OF the greatest provisions in it, do not intend TO
go into argument. My sense of duty will not allow
me- under the present circumstances TO consume the
time but intend to say ,hs-ihat will stand upon the
provisions OF that BILL and that will claim to be dem
ocrat And that will pledge myself 10 take that
bill and show that principles OF the democratic party
from the first days Of its existence down to the present
time, have been violated in its provisions, and that the
only danger TO the constitution that be found in il at
ton fairly and honestly, and giving to those who are
three thousand miles from you, who now powerless.
that protection which you here in this Capitol ENJOY
Mr. BUTLER As suppose we shall have TO swal.
low this bill want explanation OF the eleventh
section presume the gentleman who introduced il can
exrlan it, That section ii understand it, plants cor
poraton within the limits OF State, and gives TO Con-
la. thai AafA