Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1856-05-21

following extract from debate in the Senate, on
the 6th the subject of river and harbor improve
ments There is much truth and force in what Mr..
Butler, of South Carolina, says:
"MR BUTLER.-Now, sir. know that Mr.. CAL
houn did maintain that the Mississippi was an in
it had assumed dignity equal to the Atlantic coast
at the adoption of the Federal Constitution. He
truly said that the power to regulate commerce
through the Mississippi was an immense one. My
friend from Michigan, however, knows how differ.
ed from MIR. Calhoun.
Mr.. CAss.-True.
Mr.. BUTLER-When he undertook to limit the
dignity of river, and to say that one which ran
through three States was entitled to appropriation
from the public treasury, l said here then, as say
now in the face of the tribunal to which am will
ing at all times toappea it is flacy. Mr.. Calhoun
heard me stronger language than that.
Mr. CAss.-I heard it.
Mr.. BUTLER.-Yes sir; you did hear it. and be-
leve you very often hear what say this subject.
The result of this doctrine however, is that no mon
ey be appropriated for rivers of any of the At
lantc States. believe it has been said here that
Virginia had her own rivers; that all her waters rose
within her own boundaries, and that therefore she
could not have dollar of appropriation 1t was re-
piled that she might have appropriations for her sea-
board ports. Sir upon that point tell you that De-
ity has done than man can ever do; and doubt
very much whether the intermeddling of man with
those ports has not done harm, except in the erec
ton of lighthouses to show people where to come in.
l think l may apply this remark to the harbor of
Charleston. believe that $50 900 is the extent of
the appropriation for dredging the harbor of Charles
ton.
Mr.. STUART.-No, sir.
Mr. BUTLER-How much?
Mr.. SrUART.-Two hundred thousand dollars.
Mr.. BUTLER.-When was it appropriated? If the
Young, brilliant, and dashng sister of the Republic,
AIichgan) only about eighteen years of age, is 10
come in and claim as much South Carolina which
is seventy years old, it will be very unfair thing.
Laughter.
Ms CAss-You make no allusion to me? Laugh
teri
Mr. BuTLER.-No sir.
Mr. CR1rrENDEN-South Carolina is old enough
to be put on the retired list. [Laushter.]
Mr. BuTLER-Yes, sir; but it would be unfair
that State having existence of only ten or fit
teen years should come in and claim an equality OF
appropriation for these objects with one that has
had an existence for fifty, OF sixty, or seventy or
eighty years.
MIR. JONES, of Iowa.-You are old enough to take
Mr. BUrLER.-Well, sir, if gentlemen from that
part of the country require guardians, suppose
must do the best can for them [Laughter.] lido
not believe that any appropriation OF money to
dredge out the channel of Charleston has done any
good. believe that the winds of heaven will blow
the sands into the very place from which the dredges
of the contractors have taken them out think
the same thing in the main. of the lakes. l doubt
much whether this whole attempt to regulate wa
ters by the appropriation of money is not of doubt
full exedency, without touching the question of con.
stutionality. So far as regards lighthouses and
similar appliances the question is different one.
They have always existed throughout the civilized
world
If each port would improve its own harbor
think it would be the better plan. am opposed to
appropriating the public money for such purposes
but, according to the suggestion of the honorable
Senator from Kentucky, if it is to be done, and the
minority is to be controlled by it. let it be done by
the intelligence of majority exercising ajurisdic
ton over the whole subject, and not by partia
SYSTEM"