The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-07

through appropriations Tor mail facities and other puI
under aspects more imposing and more purely national
by reason OF the ordered by Congress- and now
in The process Of complexion for Communication by rail-
way scfoss he continent and wholly within the limits
OF the United Stated.
The power 10 declare war; to raise and support armies
70 provide and maintain navy and 10 call forth the mi.
a 10 execute the lave suppress instructions and re-
pei lnvasons, was conferred upon Congress- as means
TO provide Tor the common defence, and protect Ter
ofy and population wide spread and vastly mul-
lied As incidental ard indispensable for the exer-
else oil this power, it sometimes be necessary TO
construct military roads and protect harbors Of refuge
10 appropriations by Congress- tor such Objects sound
oblecon can be raised. Happily for country. It's
peaceful policy aad rapidly increasing population impose
upon US no urgent necessity for prepaaiion and leave
but few tackless deserts between assaabs points and
patriotic people ever ready aud generally able pro-
ec the These necessary links, the enterprise and en-
ergy OF our people steadily and boldly struggling
supply All experience afhsms that, wherever private
enterprise will avail Ii s most wise Tor the general gov
efnmen 10 leave 10 that and ind vidual watculness the
The surveys before alluded designed ascer-
tain the most practicable economical route for rail-
road tom the river Mississippi to the Pacific ocean
Parties in the field making explorations, where
previous examinations had not supplied sufficient data
and where there the best hope the object
sought might be found The means and tire being both
limited, Is not 10 be expected that all the
knowledge desired will be obtained, il is hoped that
much and important information will be added to the
stock previously possessed and that partial, if not ul
reports of The surveys ordered will be received time
Tor transmission 10 the two Houses OF Congress- be:
fore the first Monday in February next as required by
the act Of appropriation The the enterprise
contemplated has aroused, and will doubtless continue to
excite, very general interest throughout the country
In its POLITICAL its commercial, and lis military bearings
i has varied, great, and increasing claims consdea
lion; The heavy expense, The great delay and. at mes
fatality attending travel by either Of the isthmus routes
nave demonstrated the advantage. which would result
from interterrilorial communication by such safe and
rapid means as a railroad would supply.
These difficulties, which have been encountered in
period OF peace would be magnhed and still further
inn N UNI Yufh Tho
already encountered, and Others under contingencies
10 be anticipated. may serve srkingy to exhibit the
Importance OF such work, neither these. nor all consd-
eations combined, can have apprecabe value, when
weighed against the obligation strictly adhere the
constitution, and faithfully the powers con-
fes Within this limit and the extent of the interest
of the government involved, il would seem both expe-
dent and proper, II economical and practcabIe
shall be found, 10 aid, BY all constitutional means, in
the construction Of road, which will unite, by speedy
transit the populations OF the Pacific and Atlantic States
To guard against msconcepiion, should be remarked
that although the power 10 construct, or aid in the
siructon OF road within the limits OF a territory is
not embarrassed BY that question OF jurisdiction which
would arise within the limits of State is neverthe-
less held TO be of doubtful power and than doubt
jul pr0prieiy, Within the limits al territory for
the general government to undertake TO administer the
affairs OF railroad, canal or other similar coBstruc-
ton, and therefore that IFS with work OF this
character should be incidental rather than primary.
will only add. at present. that, fully apprecaiing the
MAGNITUDE 81 the subject and socitous that tie Atlantic
and Pacc shores OF the republic may be bound together
by inseparable ties oil common interest, well of
common featy and attachment 10 The Union, shall be
disposed, 90 far my own action is concerned TO follow
the lights OF The constitution, expounde2 aud Illus
,rsted BY those whose opinions and exposions cons
tute the standard my political faith in regard to The
powers OF the federal government Ii trust,
cessary TO say. that grandeur OF enterprise and
present urgent inducement promising popular favor, will
lead me to disregard those lights, 10 depart from that
path, which experience has proved 10 be safe, and
which is now radiant with the glow OF prosperity and
legitimate constitutional progress. We afford to
wait, but We cannot adoFd TO overlook the ark of
security.
It is no part Of my purpose 10 give prominence to any
subject which may properly be regarded set at rect by
the deliberate Judgment of the people. But while the
present bright with promise, and the future full OF
demand and nducement for the exercise OF active intel
lisence the past be without useful lessons OF
admonion and instruction. Ii its dangers serve not as
beacons they will evidently fail fulfil the object OF
wise design When the grave shall have closed over
all, who are now endeavoring to meet The obligations OF
with anxious apprehension. successful had jus,
terminated Peace brought with IL vast augmeni
OF territory. Disturbing questions arose, bearing upon
The domestic Institutions OF one portion Of the conede-
racy aud involving the constitutional rights of the States
But, notwithstanding differences OF opinion and seni-
men which Thea existed ia relation details and speci-
hc PROVISIONS, the acquescence OF distinguished Citizens
whose devotion TO the Union can never be doubted has
given renewed viggr 10 our institutions. and restored
throughout the coDfederacy. That this repose is to
suffer shock doring my official term il have power
10 avert IT, those who placed here may be assured
The wisdom OF men, who knew what iHdepend
ence cosi,who had put all at stake upon the OF
the revolutionary e-dsposed OF the subject TO
which refer, IN the only consistent with the union
OF these States and with the march OF power and pros
periy which has made what Ii is a sixDh-
cant fact that from the adoption oil the constitution until
The officers and soldiers OF the revolution had passed
their sravee, or, through the inhrmiies OF age and
wounds had ceased 10 participate actively public al
lara, there not merely quiet acquiescence bui
prompt vindcaton oil, the constitutional rights OF the
States. The reserved powers scrupuIousy
speced No salesman put forth the narrow views OF
casusis to Justify interference and agitation, but the
,t,fsh
honor and ind senssbIe for the great experiment of civil
liberty which, environed by inherent difficulties,
yet borne forward apparent weakness by power
perior to all obstacles There In condemnation, which
the voice OF freedom will pronounce upon u.s. should
we prove falthess to this great trust. While men in
hxbiing different parts OF this continent
be expected TO bold the opinions, or entertain the
same sentiments, than every variety OF climate or soil
be expected TO furnish the agricultural pro-
ducts, they unite in object and sustain
common principles essential 10 the maintenance of thai
object. The gallant OF the south and the north
could stand together during the suugge OF the Rsvon
ton they could stand together IN the trying period
which succeeded the cIangor OF arms. As their united
vaor adequate all the trials OF the camp and
gers OF the held their united wisdom proved equal
the greater task OF founding, upon deep and broad
basis, institutions, which IL has been privilege
enjoy. and will ever be sacred duty 10 sustain
but the feeble expression OF faith strong and uni
vefsai, TO cay that their whose blood mingled
often upon the field. during the OF 1884, and
country upon foreign SOIL will never permit aens-
ZION oil feeling weaken the power OF their united ef
forts, internal dssensons to paralyze the
OF freedom, uped for the vindication of ssf govern
ment.
have thus briefly presented such suggestions