Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-01-17
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

The message then enters upon the broad
field Of internal improvements. To the
discussion Of his subject, indeed, So inter.
esIing 10 its origin. so important in lis
progress. so vast in lis consequences. nearly
one half of the message ia devoted. And
wc venture TO say that no citizen ut New
York can rise from the perusnl of the c'o.
uucn, passages in which is ch,oniclcd the
hjs,crv Of The Internal Improvements of
that STATE, without glow Of honest pride
at The picture they present Commencing
with Iuc,d exposition Of the present llabl.
tho rcckcssness and imptovidence which
characterized the early legislation on the
subject Of The Erie Canal Enlargement,
the message proceeds with the declarn'ion,
that public sentiment and the circumstances
Of Tic times require US TO "rc'rench the
expenditures upon our works OF internal
Improvement. and prosecute the system
with moderation and economy" that "all
issues of stock should be 50 limited tina,
the interest on the whole debt Of the state
should at no time exceed lis surplus revc
nues :" and that 'Ihe increase Of these
revenues should be relied upon for the
Ultimate cxtingulshment Of the debt" But
Ike hope is confidently expressed tina! the
Legislature will be enabled to adopt such
plan Of fiscal operations as Will re'nv'g>
crate the public credit, and efec,ualIy
secure the completion, without unnece,sa.
~ DELAY, Of the several mpor,an. works
heretofore commended to favorable consld
Grafton. Having thus referred TO the pres
: en-, condition AID probable future engage
mepts OF the State, the Governor next en-.
,ers into n mastery and most eloquent
defence Of The great system of Intcrna
improvements.
The present crisis hes produced renewed
opposition to the entire system. IL il
boldly denounced a. unc institutional. for
- eigu TO the legitimate sphere Of 'eg-la,iv,
p action, destructive Of The Liberties of TIT
nenpie, and rulnous To their welfare. Til,
:. ap,c,ous theory ~ pronu gated. thai The
| duration Of national existence is dlvisbI'
MO periods corresponding with generation
!. If men, and tina, the State has at no time
@ rlch, TO undertake the construction o
wnrks which will have charge upon
= subsou uen, generation. Ii Is a necessar
consc oucnce Of these principles, that III
entire system must be abandoned aud lha
The Obligations assumed N IT'S prosecu,o
/. NAV be cast off by subsequent generations
:. These principles hav" been fondIv avnw"t
~ and have tended TO impair the contidenc
NJ If mankind in the integrity and good ial
!, Of the people this state, but they deriv
!, no support from our history. Reason an
II experience teach that every human socie'
, has continuous identity. susceptible {
n Indefinite prolongatlnD, and incapable {
:. DIVISION. The c,'zan Of every state feels
\, as /, hns been well SAD. that alt huugh mol
A al himself he is part of a community tina
,t NAV. and he hopes will, be perpetual. Ii
" Is conscious hat evrty important measur
>, Of Government ~ winch he may be engage
in is IN some degree the result OF causes ante
:. ror to his own existence. and may be pre-
:. duc,,vc not only of consequences lmmcd
&c a,cly aff' cDing hlmscl' and his con'em2orf
d r,os. bu, of others pcrvaalng the who
:. state. and distant as lis dissolution. Tn
H. da;Iv labor, Of lle, although stimulated b
~ immediate necessity, are cheered by tt
Of expectation Of distant good. The gcnoI
70 on. cfIor,s of public benefac'ors, by who's
nr Inventions, in>iruc'ion'. aud achievement
no our race has been raised from the savas
II, condition through every imperfect socl
oI state to the freedom aud dignity OF Sc
nd Government, have always been directed
of objects more remote than those OF Immrd
nj ate or personal advantage. Beoevoe
he desires Tor the welfare of those who shG
Nv succeed Us produce not only ;ndlvldnal al
he domestic eXer,'on, bat social action
n cverv form adapted TO relieve the necess
10. ties or promote the welfare OF mankind
on Animated by such impulses, and arouse
:, ia such efforts with reference to dlsln
ne periods, linen seem to approximate heI
nd towards the dignity Of character 10 wine
nd our race is destined IN future state. ~
mi Susceptibility to such impulses aud II
of powcr of making such cifirls are amor
mi the strongest proof, that such sta
II awaits US The humao heart knows Ie
m ua.s,ons stronger or more universal tn
TIC the desire to be remembered whcn
ey shnlI have ceased to exist, aud 1t es'lmn'
n. the value of fame by the lapse OF TIN
n> through winch that fame may endure n,
IN the portion of the earth 1t may Pervad
OF The motives and Achievements OF the re-
OF pulmonary age knew no such m,serao
raj bounds as those now prescribed W
Ter national independence was sought ana o.
M tanned not alone tor those VINO ach'eV'
ir- il nor for one generation only, nor Tor
to narrow cycle of years, nor for any perio
*. I'm, ,or oil generations and for all tim
To- On, repubGcan institutions were des'gne
be n, their foundation not alone for three m
NJ l.. NM In