Mr. W DE. Mr. President, I cannot agree with my colleague in postponing this measure. I think, with the Senfrom California and other Senators, that it is not a new question. It is one that has been before the public for several years, and every man of thought and reflection undoubtedly has made up his mind with regard to its merits. It is one of those measures so essential that in m judgment we cannot be too early in commeucmgit. I know that when any great measure is)fOPOSEdto be undertaken it is always approached with some little hesitation; and the time seems never to come when you are to commence. It took us a great while before we could enter upon the project of building the Pacific railroad. I believe that it was up in Congress some 8 or 10 years every session before we had the courage to grapple with the question and enter upon the commencement of the work. It ought to have been commenced at least 5 gears before it was, and now be in the process of completion; and it would have been if we had not had this same hesitation that I see now to commence this work. There was no reason for it then. The great project of the Pacific railroad was before us when we were almost entirely free from debt, and then this great nation, with no embarrassment at all upon it, did not seem to have the courage.to commence it in season to have the full advantage that they would have got from it if they had commenced it at an earlier riod. I do not think we got a great deal 0! additional information upon that subject at the time we did commence it over and above what we had at a much earlier period. It is so with this work. It is always said by some that the time has not come to commence such a measure. Sir, I think the time has arrived. I have felt that it was a humiliation to this great nation for several years past that we paid toll to a foreign nation in navigating the lakes; that we suffered GreatBritain. through her colonies, to institute these measures, instead of making a thoroughfare through our own country. I do not believe that this measure will embar rass us in a financial point of view. I believe it will be worth infinitely more than it will cost. I believe, with the Senfrom California. that when a nation is oppressed with great debts it is the last time in the world when it can lay down and fold up its hands and do nothing. Then is the time for it to extricate itself by its courage and by its perseverance in entering upon great and profitable enterprises that every man must admit will be of the greatest national importance when they are completed. The cost of making this great improvement. will not compare with its advantages when made. The nation can afford to embark in a measure that will cost something to achieve, when we know that the accomplishment will be infinitely more than the cost of doing it. The credit of the nation is good; the enterprise will be beneficial; and the quicker we enter upon the project and begin to receive the profits of it the better. I am against the postponement. I am ready to 2nd the motion of the HoRep and at.thething forward as soon as it can be done. Ihope we shrll not postpone the bill, but shall enter upon its consideration, perfect the project, and put it through at this session.