The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-01-22

10 oil public works and their conductors
10 all agents OF the Government whether
ma civil, military, or other capacity l.
can be obvialed Dot in one way: let the
commissioners be authorized 10 act as a
check upon my operations in this respect,
u the danger is 50 lhreattning; though it
nigh. be necessary FIRST to show what po>
Gtical power could be exercised in land
Of uninterrupted prairies, without popula-
iion or civilization.
Power and influence over States and
Territories through which The road will
pass.
| do no. propose 10 pass through any
6:ste,bu through Territories AMI waste,
uninhsbi'ed country, which is TO be peo-
pied and made Territories and States by
This road. The Government own Tie
lands; and admit the righ, TO give or ap,
propriaie them for such purpose, iu
certain way and manner While there
are no people except those who are drawn
forward BY the facilities which the road
alone can give, there certainly can be no
difficulty, as Interest is mutual. When
Territory. interests will be the same, and
all legislative acts must meet the approba'
lion Of Congress, which can and will pro.
vide for and protec, all. When admitted
Stale, Congress viii prescribe the terms
and conditions but the people, the lands,
and the road, become parts and parcel OF
the State, subject TO the same enactmen,s,
laws d regulations, as all other people and
property Of the State, save such reserva
lions as may be- made by Congress. So
j, appears TO the tina, the State and people
ofthe State would hold the power over The
road, not the road over the people. lis
exaciions, light. and fixed by Congress,
would always be useful 10 the people, and
would never conf1ic, with their inter.
est
But the day is 7ast with US for any in>
s'i'u'ion, man, or body Of men, to set them.
selves up against popular opinion or pop.
ular Interest. No such can stand aud
your own State at this moment is a striking
illustration OF this fact. Your fifth aud
las! objection is certainly without founda-
ton. | have never proposed 10 keep the
lands from sale, or 10 raise money upon
them other than by immediate and direct
sales 10 settlers, both for money and for
part money and part labor upon the road,
thereby a1ording The means Of sure SUBJ
sistence until they can provide from other
resources. Il is on the sale of lands en-
tlrely Except perhaps, if necessary. for a
small start or commencement that de-
pend and am satisfied that my expecla-
lions will be fully realized, The very ma
ture Of the work and case requires that
population should precede or keep pace
with il; and the very nature Of the work
will force such resall; The road canuol
be bull. wilhoutit.
And beyond The Missouri. 10 the Rocky
mountains aud to the Pacific, il you pease,
such euactmen;s may be made BY Con.
gress as shall secure to the people the
right to purchase or possess such lands as
they may desire; also secure from the
lands the mems necessary TO complete the
road. Instead Of blocking up The south
pass, the opening Of this ro,d would SLIM
ula,e such flood Of emigration TO Oregon
ss would break down all barriers-all op
position. The hope and expectation Of
The road would be 10 them every thing !;
The Strongest chain which would bind
lhom to US; the hes, means oil communi.
cation; the proper channel through which
they CAN receive the protecting care and
benefits Of our free Government, and the
stie avenue by which they can participate
IN Our prosperity and our glory; the
source OF all their wealth and social hap,
piness. Instead Of stopping, it would III &c
on the curreu. of emigration. And could
the people DO inimical 10 such a work p
No sir; mankind generally understand
what directly interests themselves in Pc
cuniary point Of view, and will foster and
protect such interest.
The principal ground on which have
started is. that The road can be bull! from
the pupIic lands, and tina. there is no 9TH
er means by which it Can be done You
admit the principle aud fact; the details |
consider unimporlant, having full faith
and confidence in the wisdom and ability
Of Congress TO fix and decide upon the de-
tails aecessary for such a work.
have tho honor 10 be,
very respectfully, your
obedient servan',
A. WHITNEY.