Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1853-12-10

and will couhiless- continue 70 excite . N
very general interest throughout the
cunnlry. 10 iis pOlaiesl. is commercial
and military bearings. IL has varied, great
and increasing claims 70 consideration.
The heavy expense, the great delay.
and. OF times, fatality attending travel, by
either Of the Islhmus routes, have demon
s,rated the aIraniage which would result
from iuer-Ierrilorial communication by
such safe and rapid means as railroad
would supply. The difficulties which
have been encouniered, il appears. would
be magnl6ed and sill fur her increased in
lime of war. Ru, whilst tie embarass'
menls already encountered, ami others
under new contingencies, To he anilcIpat-
ed, may seem slrikingly 10 exhibit the i'm.
purtance nf such work, neither these
nor all considerations combined can have
an oppreciable value, when weighed
against the obligation strictly 10 adhere To
le Constitution, and faithfully 10 execute
the powers it confers. Within the limit
and to The extent Of the interests Of the
government involved, il would seem both
expedient and proper, If an economical
and practicable route shall be found, to
aid by all Constitutional means in the
prosecution Of road which will unite by
speedy transit, the population Of the Pa
clfic and 4 IlitiG States. 70 guard
against miscons ruclon, ii should be re-
marked, that, ahhnughp p wer 20 construct,
or aid in the cpustruc.i n Of ruad With
| = Il ,i,okS.
held to be doubtful power, and Of more
than doubtful prupriety, even within tho
limits OF Territory Cor the general gov.
ernment TO undertake 10 administer the
affairs Of rairoad, a canal, or other SIM
liar construction and, therefore, It's con!
neclion with work Of this character
should be incidental rather than primary.
Approaching the magnitude of the
subject, and solicitous that the Atlantic
I and Pacific shores of the Republic may
be bound together by inseparable ties Of
common interest, as well as of common
fealty and attachment 10 the Union, |
shall be disposed, so far us my own action
is concerned. to follow the light of the
, Constitution as expounded and illustrated
by those whose opinions and expositions
constitute the standard of my political
faith. In regard to the powers of the
o Federal Government it is not necessary
n to add that no grandeur of enterprise, and
f no present urgent inducement, promising
q popular favor, will lead me 10 disregard
@ these lights, or to depart from that posi-
v ton which experience has proven 10 be
safe, and which is now radiant with the
v glow Of prosperity, and legitimate consti.
, tutional progress. We can afford TO wait,
= but we cannLt afford to overlook the ark
II of our own security. 1t is no part of my
!. purpose to give prominence to any SUBJ
!, ject which may be regarded as sci at rest
n by the deliberate Judgment of the people;
at but while the present is bright with prom.
:, se. and the future is full of demand and
!. nducement for The exercise Of active in
= telligence, the past can never be without
. useful lessons of admonilion and instruc-
,e ,ion. If its designs serve not as bcacons
70 they will evidently fail to fulfill the ol ject
of wise design.
- When the grave shall have closed over
~ all who are now endeavoring to NEE. the
70 obligations Of outv, the year 1858 will be
r, recurred to as period filled with anxious
apprehens ;ons. A successful war had just
\ terminated ; pence brought with it va /
o augmentation Of territory. Disturbing
y. questions arose, bca ing upon the demo-
il craic institution OF u portion OF the
l., coniederacy, and involving the constitu-
N tional right of the States. But noswt,-
If standing differences of opinion and senii.
n. ment which then existed in relation TO
,d details and specific provisions the acquies.
G. cence of distinguished citizens whose de-
II. votion to the Union can never be doubted,
he has given renewed vigor 10 our ins,iiu.
of tions and restored sense of repose and
" security to the public mind throughout
,,s the confederacy. That this repose is to
suffer no shock during my official term, if
or ! have the power to avoid it, those who
n, placed me here, may be assured.
a,f The wisdom of men who knew what
re Independence cost, who had put all a,
We stake upon the issue Of the revolutiona.
70. ry struggle, disposed of the subject to
hv which refer in the only way consisten,
Iv with he union Of these States, and with
=: the march OF the power and prosperity
nd which has n ade US what we are. 1t is q
lin significant fact that from the adoption o.
~. The Constitution until the officers ano
,ns soldiers of the Revolution had passed te
nm their graves, or through the infrmities o
he age and wounds, had ceased to par.ici
ar. pate actively in public affairs, there wa'
.ad not merely quiet acquiescence in, but I
prompt vindicalion OF, the constitutions
f,r right of the States.
no. The reserved powers were scrupulous
md ly respected. No statesman put forth III
10. narrow views of casuists TO justify inter
NJ ference and agitation but the spirit
,Iv the compact was regarded as sacred il
dly the eve of honor, and indispensable 70
no no the great experiment. of civil liber.,
and which, environed by inherent difficulties
zen was yet borne forward, in apparent weak
ev- ness, by power superior 10 all obstacles
tac, There is no condemnation which tn
row voice of freedom will not pronounce upo
1 to us. should we prove faithless to this gres
rms trust. Wnilo men inhabiting differei
/ il parts of this vast continent can no NOR
zen, be expected to hold the Same opinions,
- on,ert,;n tho Same sentiments, than ever