Washington sentinel., 1854-07-13

mates Of the War Department relied on by gen.
temen in advocating those appropriations, and
intimations having been thrown out, il not direct
assertions made, that the Secretary of War ana
the administration approve of those appropria-
tions, he thought, in Offering this amendment 10
test the sincerity OF gentlemen on this question
He knew and the country knew, thai the Secre-
tary of War is opposed 10 those aPPropFiations.
His whole political life proves il, and ne mas not
recommended them in any document which mas
been sent TO this House. The estimates are from
officers under his charge. Nowhere has ne re-
commended appropriations for rivers ana narpors'
The Presidents past course shows wnai nis
opinion is, and he knew that the democraiic
platform declared that this government mas no
right 10 commence and carry on a general system
of internal improvements. The system IN tnis
bill commences in Name, continues through Inc
north, travels through the west, and lands In tne
south. .,ss aa. y. .pFt laas,E tfs
spoke for himself or for the whole democratic
party when he SAID that party is opposed to appro-
priations for internal improvements. NJ
Mr.. r.BARKSDALErep replied that alldemocrats who
adhere TO the democratic platform are opposed TO
internal improve ements by the general government.
Mr.. SEWARD wished the gentlemen and the
House 10 understand that he once belonged 10 the
whg party, and he was not ashamed OF il, and OF
many OF the principles they once advocated For
sufficient reasons he connected himself with the
democratic party, and whenever It shall become
necessary he would explain. %
Mr.. BARKSDALE was happy TO have the gen.
tleman in the democratic party; but would
thank him 10 adhere to the platform ILaughier.l
Mr.. SEWARD asked the gentleman 10 furnish
them with the platform of the party in Mississippi;
for he thought, so far as the democrats OF that
State are concerned, they have been unsettled in
their opinions. He though the present Secretary
of War had got himself outside Of the democratic
party when he became southern rights man j
and by doing that, assumed TO some extent the
<r onI fnr xuh Ich
the State-rights party Of the south have always
contended; a ground which national democrats
have never taken in their platform
Mr., BARKSDALE wished 10 know whether
Mr. Madison got outside of the democratic party
by the resolutions Of 9Sl [Laughierl
Mr.. SEWARD said there was variety Of abb
stractons in Mississippi and Virginia; and accord
ing to them, this government would never be able
to carry out any practical legislation; never. he
wished 10 get the exact limit OF constitutional
power which confers on Congress the right TO es-
tablsh general or special system of internal i'm
provements. He repeated, he wished the gentle
man 10 give him The exact line Of position.
[Laughterl He never had constitutional scrupes
on this subject. If that was necessary TO make
him democrat, he dssented from he democratic
platform. =,
Mr.. BARKSDALE said that il anything could
Justify him in believing that the gentleman had for
the present forgotten that he is n democrat, and
believed himself TO be wing still, il was the de-
claralion he had just made, that he does not un.
derstand the resolutions Of 9S and so. tRenewed
laughter
: After further proceedings, the amendment OF
Mr. RARKspALE was rejected.
Several other amendments were offered, and
voted down.
The committee rose, and the bill was reported
to the Home.
. Mr.. PERKINS, Of Louisiana, moved that it be
laid on the table .but the motion did not prevail
yeas 81, nays 80.
Pending the question on concurring in one OF
the amendments reported from the COMMITTEES OF
the Whole on the stale of the Union,
+ The House adjourned