Mr. SUMNER. The Senfrom Ohio reminds me also of the large amount of water power which is to be given to this corporation. say it deserves attention and I am glad that the Senfrom Iowa has brought that into the debate. But I think the Senator is mistaken when, 'on that account, he interposes the dilatory motion which he does by asking the re reference of this proposition to the commit tee. I do not know that at a subsequent stage of the debate itmay not be important to recommit it; but I believe that now where we are at this moment, we had better proceed with the consideration of the bill and especially have a vote of the Senate on the amendment reported by the committee. For one I wish an opportunity, and the sooner the better, to vote against that amendment. Senators about me say, so do they. Let us, then, proceed with the consideration of the bill, and I hope the Senate will vote down the proposition which is to invite the consent an cooperation of the State of NewYork. On that questionI hope the Senate will establish a precedent. The time has come for us to assert the powers of the national Government, independent of the States, in certain cases. The argument thus far in this debate has gone very much on the military power of the Government; little allusion has been made to that othersource of power which seems to me so ample: the power to regulate commerce among the States. I should prefer, perhaps, to found this exercise of power upon these words of the Constitution. I ask.on gross now to interpose its power to regulate commerce among the States, to interpose it on a great occasion, under circumstances, I admit, of special responsibility when I consider the time and the occasion, but under circumstances which I think amply justify the exercise of the power. Who, sir, can doubt that under these special words of the Constitution we have full power over this whole question? Who can doubt that without asking the consent of NewYork we may establish a canal about the falls of Niagara? I think that no Senator who hears me can now hesitate as to the power of Congress over that whole question. Assumin, then, that Congress has the power, the onigy question that remains is as to the expediency of exercising it at this time; and that again brings me to the argument of the Senfrom Kentucky, that at this time when we are in volved in a large national debt we should not undertake to increase it. To that I have already replied, as the Senator‘from Illinois has also rep ied before me, that we undertake to provide additional resources, we seek to extend the commerce of the country, to enlarge its means, and to enable it to meet this national debt which has been imposed upon it. I hope, sir, that there will be no delay, that the Senate will proceed with the consideration of the bill at once. The question is great; it is important; it is almost historical; it is nothing less than to determine whether the northern shores of Ohio and Illinois shallbe brought forward to the ocean itself, so that the large towns there shall be, as it were, ports of the sea. By this ship canal Chicago and Cleveland may be made sea ports on the Atlantic coast. Sir, that is an object which is well worthy of an honest ambition, and I do ask the Senate withoutany delay to give its best attention to it.