The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-30
TOT inc bHio
Grants Of Land for Railroads.


The present session OF Congress- it TO be hoped will
be distinguished for liberal but the lime udcous
legislation in regard to the matter of granting lands for
railroad purposes Without expressing an opinion at
present in relation the various modes proposed for
managing dsposing of the public domain, we would
simply observe that IFS liberal bestowment in aid of the
construction of practicable lines Of railroads which will
open up settlement and cultivation the great interior
the valleys and thus extend and facilitate the
general trade and commerce of the whole country would
commend itself TO favorable considerable as
policy at honorable to the government and highly
advantageous 10 the general interest That these grants
should be made with reference 10 their practical utility
such the extension of lines already constructed to the
uhest desirable points westward, the connexon of great
navgabe waters and the probable effect upon the set.
Element of the country, and that they should also be &C
companied by conditions which shall furnish sufficient
guarantees both 10 the government and the people, for
their faithful application-are considerations self evil
den, and important that they fail to suggest
themselves every mind at expeden and essen
tial.
AS matter of sound governmental policy, careful dis
elimination should be made between grants States
and those prayed for by individuals incorporated com
panies States responsible in of failure to fulfil
the conditions imposed by Congress- individuals or com
panies may not safely be considered Thus much in
respect expediency. In point of principle the question:
in all its bearings, is too plain TO require discussion
along routes Of which the right Of way and other immu
mites have already been conferred companies already
organized in such States would be but nominal in poin,
of fact while the actual benefits would go the compa
MES 90 formed-a circumveniion of sound policy and an
encouragement OF fraudulent pretex which should be
scrupulousy guarded against.
This system OF Improvement is the favorte of the
lines both in the Old World and in the New Its sue
cess III far has been pre- eminent and lis magical nfu.
in lsyp q rpsD nj in
noting commerce. and in facilitating inercommunica.
ton between remote sections, render it highly de.
sirable that its vast benefits should be extended to
every portion OF common country The older
States applying their great wealth to a wise pur.
pose are already covered with work of railways
with great stretching weswardy, while Of the
new States emuous OF eastern enterprise, have also
started of in a similar OF improvement But their
means are lmied-too limited to carry them forward 10
the hands held out by their eastern sisters Great gaps
aching vods-are TO Intervene, cutting of commerce,
hindering fraternity, and preventing that easy and
slant INSTRUMENTATION which Is so essential TO good
neghborhood, and which makes us feel that we are
.bone OF one bone and flesh OF one flesh" Would it
not be wise then for the general government to step for
ward with generous hand and Gil up those gaps and thus
forever white our people in the iron bands OF
broherhool and a interest Yea, ~ II not a
duty thus TO dispense the fayors within the gift OF the
government Whatever tends 10 promote the prosperity
of the people adds much IA the power OF the nation.
The strength OF the lies in the eonien,ment
of The masses and their contentmen can result from
nothing so surely from in their several pursuits
Government, in this country made Tor the people-not
The people for the government Hence is held to be in.
cumbent on government to bear hand-and a liberal
one--in extending the OF commerce, in opening up
new and in bringing together The hearts as well
as the interests Of the whole people.
By the term liberal, here used, is merely meant a
sufficient aid II is not to be expected, would 1T be
right TO make appropriations which, from the nature Of the
case must ever remain peculiarly local in their benefits
SUCH for instance for building roads which
and terminate within the limits of single State, and
which do not connect, or promise 10 connect, with any
great lines Of communication II wonld also be useless
il not dangerous exercise OF lberay, 10 make grants
for roads running parallel with and at short distance
from naveabIe streams upon which important interests
have already grown up, and with which government at
least should interfere when that govern.
men has already expended vast sums IN the promotion
Of those interests by improving the navigation OF those
streams Government should, in event. into com
ieti,on with ts own works. destroy the value Of one
appropriation by making another from which rival in
iere.t may result The act while suicidal in itself would
aso be one OF bad faith towards those who, trusting to
the pa,erna Of The general government have staked