Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-12-15

The means and time beng both limited.
il is not 10 be expected that all tho &C.
curate knowledge desired win be OBJ
tained, but il is hoped that much and
important information viii be added to
the stock previously possessed, and that
partial. if not full reports OF the surveys
ordered will be received, in time for
transmission to the two Houses of Con-
gress, on or before the first Monday in
February next, as required BY the act
of appropriation. The magnitude Of
the enterprise contemplated has arous-
ed, and will doubtless continue to ex-
cite, very general interest throughout
the country. In its political, its COM
merciaI, and its military bearings, it
has varied, great, and increasing claims
to consideration. The heavy expense,
the great delay, and, at times, fatality
attending travel by either of the 18th
mus routes, have demonstrated the ad-
vantage, which would result from inter-
territorial communication by such safe
and rapid means as a railroad would
supply.
These difficulties, which have been
encountered in period of peace, would
be magni6ed and still further increased
in time Of war. But whilst the embar-
rassments already encountered, and
others under new contingencies to be
anticipated, may serve strikingly to ex-
hibit the importance Of such a work,
ueither these, nor all considerations COM
bined, can have an appreciable value,
when weighed against the obligation
strictly to adhere to the constitution,
and faithfully to execute the powers it
confers. Within this limit and to the
extent of the interest of the govern
ment involved, it would seem both ex-
pedient and proper, if an 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 population of the
Pacific and Atlantic States. To guard
against misconception, it should be re-
marked that, although the power TO con-
struct, or aid in the construction of a
road within the limits of a territory is
not embarrassed by that question of ju-
risdiction which would arise within the
limits Of State, it is nevertheless held
to be of doubtful power, and more than
doubtful propriety, even within the lin
its of territory, for the general gov
ernment 10 undertake TO administer the
affairs of a railroad, a canal, or other
similar construction, and therefore that
its connexion with work Of this char
acter should be incidental rather than
primary. | will only add, at present,
that, fully appreciating the magnitude
of the subject, and solicitous that the
Atlantic and Pacific shores of the re-
public may be bound together by insep-
arabic ties of common interest, as well
as of common fealty and attachment to
the Union, l shall be disposed, so far
as my own action is concerned, to fol-
low the lights of the constitution, as ex-
pounded and illustrated by those, whose
opinions and expositions constitute the
standard of my political faith in regard
to the powers of the federal government.
1t is, trust, not necessary to say, that
no grandeur of enterprise, and no pre-
sent urgent inducement promising pop
ular favor, will lead me to disregard
those lights, or to depart from that path,
which experience has proved to be safe,
and which is now radiant with the glow
of prosperity and legitimate constitu-
tional progress. We can afford to wait,
but we cannot afford to overlook the
ark of our security.
Ii is no part of my purpose to give
prominence to any subject, which may
properly be regarded as set at rest by
the deliberate judgment of the people.
But while the present is bright with
promise, and the future full of demand
and inducement for the exercise of ac
tive intelligence, the past can never be
without useful lessons of admonition
and instruction. If its dangers 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 endeayoring to meet
the obligations of duty, the year 1850
will be recurred to as a period filed
with anxious apprehension. A success
full war had just terminated. Peace
brought with it a vast augmentation Of
territory. Disturbing questions arose,
bearing upon the domestic institutions
of one portion of the confederacy, and
involving the constitutional rights Of
the States. But, notwithstanding diff
ferences of opinion and sentiment, which
then existed in relation to details and
specific provisions, the acquiescence Of
distinguished citizens, whose devotion
to the Union can never be doubted, has
given renewed vigor to our institutions,
and restored sense of repose and Sc
curity to the public mind throughout
the confederacy. That this repose is to
suffer no shock during my official term,
if have power 70 avert it, those who
placed me here may be assured. The
wisdom of men, who knew what inde-
pendence cost-who had put all at stake
upon the issue of the revolutionary
struggle-disposed of the subject to
which l refer, in the only way consistent
with the union of these States, and with
the march of power and prosperity
which has made us what we are. 1t is
a significant fact, that from the adoption
of tho constitution, ,1ntil the offieare and /