Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-12-15


tons of the government to the construction OF
the constitution set up in 1898, and marked it
as an admonitory, proof of the necessity Of I
guarding that instrument viii sleep yagilz
ance, against the authority Of fseceedens, wasslip
had not the sanction OF Is more plainly defined
powers.
Our goversuissht exists under q written COM
pact between sovereign STATES, lniting for spec
ial objects, and with specific grants, to then
general agent. II, then, in the progress Of its
administration, there have been departure from
the terms and intent of compact, it is, and will
ever be, proper to refer back to the fixed stand
ard which our fathers left Us, and to make q
stern effort TO conform our action to 1t.
II would seem that the fact Of principle
having been resisted from the Srst by many o
the wisest and most patriotic men Of the repub,
tic, and a policy having provoked constant STRIFE
without arriving at conclusion which can be
regarded as satisfactory to its most earnest ad-
vocates, should suggest the inquiry, whether
there may not be plan likely to be crowned by
happier results.
Without perceisiug any sound disti ction, or
intending to assert any principle as opposed to
improvements upon the seaboard for the protec-
tion of foreign commerce., | submit to you,
whether it may II be safely anticipated that, it
the policy was once settled against appropra-
tons by the general government for local i'm
provemenls for the benefit of commerce, ocali-
ties requiring expenditures would not, by modes
and means clearly legitimate and proper, raise
the funds necessary tor such constructions as
the safety or other interests Of their commences
might require.
II that can be regarded as system, which,
in the experience of more than thirty years, has
atno tue so commanded the public Judgment
as to give it the character of a settled policy
which, though it has produced some works of
conceded Importance, has been attended with
an expenditure quite disprepottionate to their
vslue,-and has resulted in squandering large
SIMS upon objects which have answered to no
valuable purpose, -tke interests OF all the States
require it to be abandoned, unless hopes may
be induged for the future which find no warrant
for their parts.
With an anxious desire for the completion
of the works which are regarded by all good
citizens with siacese interest, have deemed it
. nv duty to ask at your haadS deliberate re-
consideration Of the question, with hope that,
animated by desire to promote the perma-
uent and substantial interest Of the country,
your wisdom may prove equal to the task of de-
visng aud maturing plan, which, applied to
this subject, may promise scmethiag better than
constant strife, the suspension of the powers Of
local enterprise, the exciting of vain hopes, and
she disappointment Of cherished expectations.
In expeRdiRg the appropriations made by the
last Congress-, several cases have arisen in rels-
ton to works for the improvements Of harbors,
which involve questions as TO the right of soil
and isdlc,ion, and have threatened conflict he
tween the authority at the State and geaera'
...-t,k k,Aa 10
water jetty or dam, would seem necessarily to
carry with it the p0wer to protect sad preserve
snch construction. This can only be efec iualiy
done by having jurisdiction over the soil. Bu
no clause OF the Constitution is found, on which
10 rest the claim Of the United States to exer
else Jurisdiction over the soil Of State except
that conferred BY the eighth section of the frs
article of The Constitution. 1t is then submitted
whether, in all cases where constructions are tt
DO erected bv the general government, the righ
of soil should not FIRST be obtained, and legsla
tive provisions be made to cover all such cases.
For the progress made in the construction Of
roads within the territories, as provided for IL
the appropriations of the last CongressI refer you
TO the Report Of the Secretary of War
There is one subject Of & domestic nature
which. from its intrinsic importance and the
it involves, -cannot tail to receive your early at
tention. alude to the means Of communica
ton. by which different parts Of the wide expanst
of our country are to be placed in closer con-
nection for purposes both Of defease and com
mercial intercourse, and more especially such al
appertsn to the communication Of those gre'a
divisions Of the Union, which lie on the opposite
sides Of the Rocky Mountains.
That the government has not been uRmindfu
Of this heretofore, is apparent from the aid It ia
offered through appropriations for nail faciiitie
and other purposes But the general su9ec
will now present itself uader aspects mere im
posing and more purely aattoaal, by reason c
the surveys ordered bv Congress, aRd now i
process of compleiioa for communication b
q railroad across the Continent. ard wholly within
the limits Of the United States.
The power to declare war, 10 raise aad s0ppoi
almles, to provide aud MAINTAIN navy, AID
call forth .ke matia 10 execute the laws, sup
press instructions, and repel nvasions, wa
conferred upon Congress, US means to propid
for the common defense, aad 70 protect the terri
tory and population now wide spread and vas,
" multiplied. As incidental 70 and indlspens
be for tie exercise of this power, 1t must sotae
times be Necessary to Construct military road
and protect harbors Of refuge.
To appropriations Of by Congress for such ot
jects, no sound otjecioa can be raised. Happil
for our country, it, peaceful pol'cy and rapid
increasing population Impose upon us no 1sget
necessity tor preparation, and leave but re
&rackless deserts between assallable points and
patriotic people evcs ready and generally 40
to protect them.
These aecessary links, the enterprise and Ell
ergy Of cur people ace steadily aad boldly stru,
CLING TO sapply. All experience affirms tia
whatever private enterprise Will avail, It Is mo
wise for the general government to leave 10 tn
and individual watchiuInesS the location and e.
ecatiou Of all means Of communications.
The surveys before aladed to we're design'
90 ascertain the eaost practicable aad econamic
route for railroad from the river Mississippi
the Pacific ocean. Parties are 10. 10 the tie
making explorations, where previous examln
tions had not supplied sufficient data, and whe
there was the best reason 10 hope the obie
sought might be found.
The means and time beug both limited, 1t
not to be expected that all the accurate kaow
edge desired will be obtained, but 1t is hop
that much ami imPortant information will he a
ded TO the stock prey ioasly possessed, and III
partial II not iull rePor,s ii the surveys order
will be received in ti,ne for transmission TO
two houses of Congress, on or before the ii
Monday 10 February next as required BY the
OF appropriation.
The magnitude Of the enterprise coatemp
ted has aroused, and will doubtless con tinuc
excite very general interest throughout
county. la it's pa iticaI, its commercial, aud
ani.iary bearings, it has varied, great, aud
ereasng claims to consideration. The hen
expense, the grea, delay, and at times fatal
attending travel by either Of the is,hmus rou
have demonstrates the advantage which wei
result from territorial communication by 8,
safe and rapid means as railioad would supp
These difficulties which have been encou