Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-12-16

the common defence, and to protect territory
and population now widespread and vastly
multiplied. AS incidental to and indispensable
for the exercise of this power, it must some
times be necessary to construct military roads
and protect harbors of refuge. To appropria-
tons by Congress for such objects, no sound OBJ
lection can be raised.
Happily for our country, its peaceful policy
and rapidly increasing population impose upon
us no urgent necessity for preparation, and
leave but few trackless deserts between assaiabe
points and patriotic people ever ready and
and generally able to protect them. These nee.
essary links, the enterprise and energy of our
people are steadily and bodily struggling to sup.
Div. All experience afiirms that, wherever pri
vate enterprise will avail, it is most wise for the
general government TO leave to that and indi.
vidual watchfulness the location and execution
Of all means OF communication.
The surveys here alluded to were designed to
ascertain the most practicable and economical
route for rail road from the river Mississippi
TO the Pacific ocean. Parties are now in the
field making explorations, where previous ex-
aminations had not supplied sufficient data, and
where there was the best reason to hope the OBJ
ject sought might be found. The means and
time being both limited, it is not to be expected
obtained, but it is hoped that much and impor-
tant information win be added to the stock pre-
viously possessed, and that partial if not full re-
ports of the SURVEYS ordered will be received,
in time for transmission to the two houses of
Congress, on or before the first Monday III Feb
ruary next, as required by the act Of appropri-
alton.
The magnitude of the enterprise coutem-
plated has aroused and will doubtless continue
to excite, very general interest throughout the
country. In its political its commercial, and
its military besrings it has varied; great, and
increasing claims to consideration. The heavy
expense, the great delay, and, at times, facility
attending travel by either of the isthmus rctueS,
have demonstrated the advantage which would
result from intereritorial communication by such
safe and rapid means as q rail road would sup
ply.
These difficulties, which have been encoun-
tered in period Of peace would be magRihed
and still further increased in time Of war. But
whilst the embarrassments already encountered,
and others under new contingencies to be an
ticipated may serve Strikingly to exhibit the i'm
portance Of such a work, neither these, nor all
considerations combined, can have an apprecia-
bic value, when weighed against the obligation
strictly to adhere TO the constitution, and faith
fully to execute the powers it confers. Within
this limit and to the extent Of the interest of
government involved. it would seem both expedi-
ent and proper, ifan economical and practicable
route shall be found, to 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 misconception, it should be
remarked that, although the power to construct,
or aid in the construction OF road within the
limits of a territory is not embarrassed by that
question of jurisdiction which would arise with
in the limits of State, II is nevertheless held
to be of doubtful power and more than doubt
fu propriety, even within the limits of a territory
for the general government to undertake to al
minister the affairs of railroad, a canal, or
other similar constructions, and therefore that
its connection with a work of this character
should be incidental rather than primary.
viii only add, at present, that fully appreciating
the magnitude of the subject, and solicitous that
the Atlantic and Pacific shores of the republic
may be boud together by inseperable ties
sc - branch at the &-n faallu
and attacnIncslS TOsifet { MON, shall be dispoS
ed, so far as my own action is concerned, to fol-
low the lights Of the constitution, as expounded
and illustrated by those, whose opinions and eX-
positions constitute the standard of my polite
al faith in regard to the powers of the federal
government. 1t is, | trust, not Necessary to say
that no grandeur of enterprise, and no present
urgent inducement promising popular favor,
will lead me to disregard those lights, or to de-
part from that path, which experience has prov
ed to be safe, and which is now radiant with the
glow of prosperity and legitimate constitution
al progress. We can afford to wait, but we
cannot afford to overlook the ark of our secu.
rity.
1t is no part of my purpose to give promi-
hence to any subject, which may properly be re-
garded as set at rest by the deliberate Judge
ment of the people. But while the present is
bright with promise, and thetuture full of demand
and nducement for the exercise Of active intelli-
gence, the past can never be without useful less
ems of admonition and instruction. If its dam
gers serve not as beacons, they will evidently
fail to fulfil the object of wise design. When
the grave shall have closed over all who are
now endeav ring to meet the obligations of
duty, the year 1850 will be required to as pc
Rod filed with anxious apprehension, A sue
cessful war had Just terminated. Peace brought
with it a vast amount of territory. Disturbing
questions arose, bearing on the domestic insti-
tutions of one portion of the confederacy, and
involving the constitutional rights of the States.
But, notwithstanding differences of opinion
and sentiment, which then existed in relation
to details and specific provisions, the acquies-
ceone of distinguished citizens, whose devotion
to to the Union can never be doubted, has CIV
en- renewed vigor to our institutions, and restol-
ed sense Of repose and security to the public
mind throughout the confedracy. That this
repose is to suffer no shock during my official
term, if have power to avert it, those who pla-
ced me here may be assured. The wisdom of
men. who kew what independence coSt--who
had put all at stake upon the issue Of the sub
iect 10 which / refer, in the only way consistent
with the ueion of these States, and with the
march ofpower and prosperity which has made
us what we are. 1t is a significant fact that
from the adoption of the constution until the
officers and soldiers of the revolution has
passed to their graves, or, through the inirmi-
ties ofage and wounds, had ceased to partici-
pate actively in public affairs, there was not
merely quiet acquiescence in, but prompt
vindciation of the constitutional rights Of the
States.
The reserved powers were scrupulously re-
spected. No statesman put forth the narrow
views of casuists is justify interference and agi
tation, but the spirit of the compact was recar-
ded as sacred in the eye of honor, and dispen
sable for the great experiment of civil liberty.
which, environed by inherent difficulties. was
yet borne forward in apparent weakness by
power superior to all obstacles. There is no
condemnation, which the voice of freedom win
not pronouce upon rs, should we prove fathless
II. Il