The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-10-06

In an article on the subject Of Atlantic and Pacific
Railroads, few weeks since, we took the position
that we were opposed to the construction of road
on any Of the routes, by the general Government
That believed it be the duty Of Government to
contribute to their construction all the routes upon
which citizens should undertake the enterprise.
Since that time, find that the subject is exciting
much interest in the Southern and Eastern States,
and that there is diversity Of opinion the subject,
among Democratic Journals some contendng that the
road should be "grcat national work." constructed
with the Of the nation under the control Of
government officers; others again maintain that 1t is
neither ,stitutional polite for the Government
to prosecute the work.
The grounds taken by Col Davis, in speech on
this subject, has led many TO believe that the Pres
dent in his first message to Congress, would advocate
the construction of "National Road" This is
most unequivocay denied by the Indiana State SEN
tinel edited by w. J. Brown, who appears TO speak
on this subject by authority. The Sentinel Of the
18th Sept, says:-
Gen. Pierce will not violate the Democratic doc
rine, to which he has always tenaciously adhered,
by recommending the construction Of this road as IA
national work. Congress possesses power to APP
propriate money from the National Treasury con-
struct works Of internal improvement. This princi
pie is clearly asserted in the National Democratic
platform. Gen. Pierce has disposition to depart
from it, If he had, the Democracy Of the nation
would not sustain him. Congress has heretofore
given lands to aid in the construction Of public im
provements. Such donations, either to States or
companies, Of alternate sections of land along the
line of any important work, always tend to increase
he va offh he banda in "A hich
more than comEensates the Government for the dona-
tons. Thus far, and no farther, NAV Congress 60 in
giving aid to this great work If il will be pro-
ductve as its advocates claim that it will be, then
associated capital will find in it profitable invest
ment III IT will not yield revenue to company, it
will be source of never-ending expense the Ma
ona Treasury, which ought not TO be incurred even
II ii is admitted that Congress, by the Constitution
has the power, which we utterly deny.
President Pierce, in his first annual message, will,
IN clear and distinct terms, the Democratic doc
rine the subject Of internal improvements by the
National Government. This know, and it is,
therefore, unnecessary to say what would be our
course, if he should not.
Laying aside all constitutional questions connected
with this important subject, and looking at the effect
the construction Of ''National Road" might have
on Minnesota, we would certainly advocate the con-
structon Of Roads by the associated capital of indi
vidua, assisted by liberal donation Of land by Con-
sress, because we might then count with almost a
certainty, that road would be constructed through
our Territory at early period, which would tend to
the rapid settlement and Improvement of lands now
in a measure unknown.
Regarding the prosperity Of the whole valley Of
the Mississippi, we would certainly wish 10 see the
Government contributing the construction Of Roads
instead Of becoming the constructor of great
thoroughares. With grants Of land from Congress
least three roads will be speedily in operation, pass
ing through three distinct tracts of country, distant
from each oher creating wealth in each, by the set
tement and improvement Of the land along the differ
ent lines, equal to that which would be created along
National Road
1t may be urged that the business would not Ire
sufficient TO support three roads to the Pacific. We
believe others might be added and that each line
business would be created by the settlements along
The line more rapidly than the work could progress
under the most energetic operations.
Look AT the immense tract Of country vet in a
unknown 10 the white man, the most of which is
superior in soil and climate for general agricultural
uses, now shut out from settlement. that would be
opened to- and quickly filed by. the hardy and indus
tricus agriculiurists of oar country, and Of the
prosecuted millions Ct freedom fearing Europe.
Last, though not least, of objections the con-
struction Of NatiOnol Road is that the policy Icing
discarded, the chickering's and dissen,ons Congress,
well the sectional strife and contentious out of
Congress would cease,-there would be no Their
delay in selecting one favored line, but the works on
each line would be immediael, commenced and pro-
gress, causing the rapid settlement OF the entire coun-
try west Of the Mississippi, from the Arkansas the
Northern Red River.
For the Mime soft, Pioneer