the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Vinton] suggested at the beginning of this session.  In that information we shall have a stern, unbending basis of facts—­a basis in no wise subject to whim, caprice, or local interest.  The prelimited amount of means will save us from doing too much, and the statistics will save us from doing what we do in wrong places.  Adopt and adhere to this course, and, it seems to me, the difficulty is cleared.

One of the gentlemen from South Carolina [Mr. Rhett] very much deprecates these statistics.  He particularly objects, as I understand him, to counting all the pigs and chickens in the land.  I do not perceive much force in the objection.  It is true that if everything be enumerated, a portion of such statistics may not be very useful to this object.  Such products of the country as are to be consumed where they are produced need no roads or rivers, no means of transportation, and have no very proper connection with this subject.  The surplus—­that which is produced in one place to be consumed in another; the capacity of each locality for producing a greater surplus; the natural means of transportation, and their susceptibility of improvement; the hindrances, delays, and losses of life and property during transportation, and the causes of each, would be among the most valuable statistics in this connection.  From these it would readily appear where a given amount of expenditure would do the most good.  These statistics might be equally accessible, as they would be equally useful, to both the nation and the States.  In this way, and by these means, let the nation take hold of the larger works, and the States the smaller ones; and thus, working in a meeting direction, discreetly, but steadily and firmly, what is made unequal in one place may be equalized in another, extravagance avoided, and the whole country put on that career of prosperity which shall correspond with its extent of territory, its natural resources, and the intelligence and enterprise of its people.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG POLITICIANS

To William H. Herndon.

Washington, June 22, 1848.

Dear William:—­Last night I was attending a sort of caucus of the Whig members, held in relation to the coming Presidential election.  The whole field of the nation was scanned, and all is high hope and confidence.  Illinois is expected to better her condition in this race.  Under these circumstances, judge how heartrending it was to come to my room and find and read your discouraging letter of the 15th.  We have made no gains, but have lost “H.  R. Robinson, Turner, Campbell, and four or five more.”  Tell Arney to reconsider, if he would be saved.  Baker and I used to do something, but I think you attach more importance to our absence than is just.  There is another cause.  In 1840, for instance, we had two senators and five representatives in Sangamon; now we have part of one