Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-01-31
Ohio 9tatesnratr
Mr.. Griswold's Remarks on Keck's Res
OlutiOns.

10 our brief notice Of the discussion upon the
resolutions Of Mr.. KEoK, protesting against an
appropriation by Congress, Tor the construction
Of ship canal through Illinois and the enlarge
ment Of the canals through the State Of New
York, we attributed to Mr.. GMsWoLD language
which he says he did not use. We had no in
tention Of doing any injustice to the gentleman;
and as we have full notes Of bis remarks, we
give below all that part Of them which en-
bodies the points We noticed: T
Mr.. Griswold opposed the resolutions for two
reasons First-Because he was In favor Of the
policy contemplated by tha bills now before
Congress, looking to the construction and en-
largement of ship canals; and second-Be.
cause he was opposed to interfering With the
action Of Congress by resolutions OF the Gener-
al Assembly.
After arguing tho Importance of these canals
from a commercial point of view, he put IL up
on the ground of military necessity" II was
we'll known that by the terms of our treaty with
Great Britain, the United States could not
maintain armed vessels upon the Northern
lakes. Here was a great frontier stretching
over thousands of miles from Lake Ontaro to
even the extremity Of Lake Superior without
any adequate defense. In case Of war With
England or of an attempt on her part to inter-
| feEe 10 the present great struggle by means of
| her Welland canal, che could command this
whole frontier With iron. clad guaboats, ready for
action, while We ehould be and remain utterly
helpless, All our fair cities and harbors would
| be at the mercy Of the enemy. This was b
force that could not be met by proclamations.
Was there not danger OF such interventioh2
Who could tell how long this war was to last2
Already nearly two years had elapsed and the
Southern rebels we're still In as great force as
when the war commenced; and this led him to
the second ground of opposition to the resolu-
tions under consideration. The present Con
gress was clearly great failure They had
met In the greatest crisis OF our nation's his
tory, and they had shown their Inability to carry
the country through this great struggle. Either
not understanding the greatness OF the contest,
or deriding the power Of the rebellion with their
cry of "On to Richmond, !" they had forced our
undiscipllned troops into certain defeat. When
the great power Of the Southern Conied-
eracy was displayed, then their cry was for
procla mations, which we're likely ID be
utterly futile. With the everlasting cry of the
negro on their lips, their highest ambition
seemed to be to get Gfice or jobs for relatives
and followers. Under their government the
finances OF the country were 10 moet de-
pIorehle condition. Gentlemen bad sad mech
about the great expenditures, yet the cost of
these proposed works was as but dust "a the
balance In comparison with the other militia, =
expenses. Il was not proposed by those in IA.
vor of completing these works to use the ready
means of the Government-only it's credit: and
IL Congress showed no more sagacity 10 the fu-
ture than they had in tho past, bonds, whose
interest and ultimate payment rested upon the
revenues Of these canals would be safe and desir-
able investments, when their legal tender and
other securities would be sunk in utter insoly.
ency. Again: We were not the constituen.
CT of Congress. They we're alswerable to- the |
people, and our resolutions ought not to have
any more force than that of any other body of |
respectable gentlemen.
IL vas said, however, that we elected the |
Senators, and therefore had a right to instruct |
them. He said he thought il was in exceed |
ingly bad taste for this House to attempt to in
strucs tho man whom they had recently elected, |
According to the claims of his supporters, the |
whole Government both civil and military, |
rested upon that distinguished gentleman. He |
differed with them in their estimate of the Sen. |
ator. During ttoelue gears of seruics in The Sen.
ate of The United States he had never originated
StHgte WnpOJtdNt measure. MS Chtef chdT0cfer-
istic as audaeity, and s chief claim to notorietv
toas that he was bully. He was q fair sam
pie Of the dominant force of the present Con-
gress, Instead Of extricating the finances of
the country from the difficulties which were
bringing us to ruin, they were engaged in at.
tempts to drive from his place the Secretary of |
State, whose management of our foreign affairs
was never surpassed, and whose ability was
second to none Of the great statesmen who pre-.
ceded him In that high Office.
Instead of giving heed to the views of the
Secretary Of the Treasury, man who rivals
Hamilton In ability, they are tbwarting him on
every hand, and endeavoring to drive him from
his post, II, conscious of their great failures,
they have at length conceived measure of
wisdom and importance, for heavens sake let
US not protest against II. If they already see
that through their shortcomings our country is
brought to ruin and the great Southern region
Ia lost-if they now are endeavoring to save to
the North something Of empire, let US hail It
with joy.
If in the great calamities which this rebel.
lion has occasioned, this great work is COM
pleted, 1t will be something of consolation to |
know that the great West shall be forever In
connected with the Eastern sea-
board.
Michigan for Cox for Speaker.