The true Democrat., 1856-12-09
Remarks of Hon. Wm. R. Cain,


 Compamy,'' delivered in the Senate, Nov.
 p, 1856.
 Mir. PREsIDENT-The Senate has arrived at that point in the consideration of this bill, at which discussion might well cease; for it may be presumed that ifs provisions are we'll under. stood by every member, and the final vote of each already determined. Yet there are ele. ments of hostility, no. only to the particular pro- visions of this bill, but to the whole matter of it, and to the great enterprise which it seeks to set on foot, which will doubtless develope them selves and require to be met and dissipated, so long as it remains debatabe question before the Senate.
 The value to a State, of such improvements as this bill proposes to encourage, is so vast, so lasting, and so we'll appreciated by all, that while pressed by continued opposition into ex- plantation and defence, I cannot but apologize to the Senate and the country, for undertaking further argument on points which the experi- ence of all civilized nations, for so many years have made so plain, as almost to forbid nega- tive opinion.
 The time has gone by, when men, looking only to what has been, can successfully resist the progress of improvement The cotton-spin- ners and hand loom weavers of England, who resisted in riotous mobs, the introduction of machinery-the men who broke up the simple mechanismS, by which Bolton and Watt strove to substitute the power of steam for that of hu- man bone and muscle, have long since passed into derlson. The men who first navigated the Mississippi, dragging their slow barges against its current, making but one toisome voyage in season, looked with sullen distrust upon the steamer which was so soon to make them and their calling subjects of fable rather than sober history. There may be those, who, witnessing the great and beneficial change thus produced have come to regard the navigation of our riv- CTS by steam power, as the end of all improve ment, and to look upon rail,oays, excelling the steamboat in speed as far as st excelled the clumsy keel, as an innovation not to be tolera- ted. Such immovable conservatism has it's ad- mirable uses planting as it does, mlestones by the highways of progress, to mark the speed with which the world of science, and art, and industry, is moving on.
 Nevertheless, the benefcient influence of this mode of transport and communication, is great fact, written all over the land and engraven upon the surface of almost every State. The commercial advantages. the wealth, the in- crease of numbers, the new fountains of pros- perity and happiness laid open, by systems of railways, have come to the knowledge of all. The subject Is scarcely fit for debate, at this day ln our history, so plain is the proposition to every intelligent mind.
 The legislation of Congress, never partial to objects of special or doubtful character, has fully recognized railroads on national thorough fares, as not only expedient and necessary in every other sense, but of national utility and necessity-as one of the proper agencies in car ryins on some of the most important operations Of the government itself. And the duty and au- thonty Of Congress to make appropriations of the puollc domain, for purposes contemplated in this bill are not questioned. No senator has raised question of that kind. When such question Is proposed, it will be time to think, not of pass ing this bill, or any bill, except one declining the trust and casting these lands back upon the government
 It is now three and half years since this do- nation was made to the State of Arkansas. With prompt action on our part, the great work contemplated by Congress, would have before this time, have been entered upon, and far ad- vanced Tn its prosecution. But long delay and unwlse legislation, at the last session, have thus far deferred the useful application of the grant and grlevousy disappointed the just hopes of our own people.
 It IS true that company was chartered, with authority to survey and build this road four years since. It is equally true that an act was passed two years since, approving the survey, and attempting transfer of the lands It Is equally true that the act contained conditions de- stroy ing the value of the grant, in contravention of the meaning of Congress, and leaving to the company no alternative but its rejection. Con- posed of prudent and sagacious men. who fore saw the disastrous and fatal operation of that act, and the hopelessness of success under it. the company wisely declined-offering at the same time to yield up their charter, whenever other agencies could be found, to do the work.
 And this state of things comes down to us with its vexatious and embarrassing antece- dents. for settlement. If there is any one subject of legislation devolving upon us at the present session, upon which the wishes of our whole constituency have been made known to us in un- mlstakable, mandatory language, it is this one and crave not that strong rebuke which we shall encounter at the hands of disappointed people, who await with long suffering the result Of our deliberations It is action that they de- mand of us-timely and judicious action, suited to the case in hand, and tending to practical result; and this bill, in my judgment, points out the true way.
 It IS just to Congress, because it carries out its design in good faith, and will, within the ten years prescribed, not only give the government transportation of property and troops. and the mails, but induce the sale of all its lands in the State, at high prices
 It is inst to the State, because it secures an honest iulhlment of the trust imposed by Con- gress and preserves its honor, besides increas- Ing beyond precedent in its history, it's popula- tion and taxable wealth.
 It IS just to the company named in this bill. which has been fully recognized by the lesisla- t'on as the proper instrument to be employed has the located line, beyond dispute, and is the only means by which the State can do this thing; and because it enables the company to do It without embarrassment, in an efficient NAY and with tho .,r1S r,oct of f,:. ~....,-