The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-12-22

tcntlOn i allude TO the means OF communities
ton of which different parts of our country are
to be placed in close connection, for the pur-
pose both Of defence and commercial inter-
course and more especially such as appertain
to the communication OF the great divisions
of the Union. which lie ON the opposite sides of
the Rocky Mountains. That The government
has not been unmindfnl Of this heretofore is
apparent from the aid il has afforded through
appropriations for mail facilities and other pur-
poses. But the general subject will now pre-
sent itself under an aspect more imposing and
more purely national. by each of the SURVEYS
ordered and now in process of completion for
communication by railroad across the continent
and other places within the limits of the Uni
ted States. The power to declare war. to raise
and support an army. 10 provide and maintain
q navy and to call forth the militia to execute
the laws, suppress Instructions and repeI in
vasions was conferred upon Congress.
AS q means to provide for the common de-
fence aud protect the territories and population
now wide spread and vastly multiplied. as in
cident to and indispensable for the exercise OF
this power, it must be necessary to construct
military roads and protect harbors of refuge
To appropriations by Congress TOR such objects
no sound objections can be raised. Happily for
our country. its peaceful and rapidly advanc-
J ing population impose upon us no urgent duty
for preparation and leaves but few tracklcss
deserts between assaiable points and patriot
! ic people are ever ready and generally able to
| to protect themselves. The enterprise and en-
crgy OF our people are steadily and boldly
! struggling to supply the rest. All experience
aiiirms that where private enterprise will avail
! ii is most wise for the general government to
/ leave to that individual watcllfuness the lcca-
! ton and extension Of all means of commun;ca-
/ ton. The surveys alluded to were designed to
ascertain the most practical and economical
route for a railroad from the Mississippi to the
Pacific. Parties are now in the field making
exploration. where previous examinations had
not supplied sufficient data, and where there
were the best reasons to hope the object sought
ight be gained
! The means being almost limited. it is not to
be expected that all the accurate knowledge
will be obtained, but it is to be hoped that
much and important Information will he added
to the stock previously possessed. and that par
tial, II not full reports will be received in time
! for transmission to the House before the first
Monday in February next, as requested by the
act approximation. The magnitude of the en-
serprise las aroused and will doubtless con
tinue to excite very general interest through
out the country. la its POLITICAL its comncr-
cial and military behring's. it has varied, great.
aud increasing claims to consideration.
The heavy expense, the great delay and at
times fatality attending the travel on the 18TH
which would result from intcr-terrtCriaI com
mnncation by such safe and rapid means a. 4
railroad would supply. The difficulties which
have been encountered it appears would be
magnlied and still further increased in the time
ofwar. But whilst tie endorsements already
encountered and Others, uudcr new coatinnen-
cics to be anticipated may seem etrikincly 10
exhibit the importance of such a work neither
these For all considerations united can have an
apprecIabie value when ghed against Tie
obi legations strictly to adhere 10 the coDstitu-
ton and faithfully to execute the powers if
conitrs.
! Within the limit and to tbc extent Of the in
forests OF the government inv olvcd il would
seem both eXpedent and proper if an ecoDom;
cal and practical route shall be found to aid by
all the constitutional means in the prosecution
Of a road which will unite 10y speedy transit the
population OF the Pacific and Atlantic states.
10 guard against miscOnstruction it should be
remembered that although power to construct
or aid in the construction O. q road within the
limits Of state exists, it is nevertheless held
TO be doubted power and gilmore than doubt
ful pgopricty save within the Limits of a terr;,o-
ry Tor the general government 10 undertake to
administer the affairs Of a railroad. 4 canal or
other similar constructions. and therefore its
connection with q work of this character should
be incidental rather than primary.
+
and solicitations that The Atlantic aud Pacific
shores Of the republic may lie bound together
by hseparabie ties of common interest rs well
/ as oil common .ealty and attachment t. Tie L Il
ion. shall be disposed as far as nv own action
IS concerned, to follow The lieht Of the coG.tj
tuition as eXpoundcd and Illustrated TX thosc
whose opinions aud expostions constitute tLe
standard OF my political faith. In regard II the
federai government 1t is not necessary 10 add
lha1 10 grandeur Of enterprise ana no present
argent inducements promising popular favor.
will lead me to disrc gard these lrLts or fo de-
part from that condition which experience has
proved to he safe and which is now radteut
VITA the glow OF prosperity and legitimate.
constitutional progress. We can afford tc wait
but we cannot afford to overlook The ark of our.
own security to give prominence to any subject
which may he regarded az set at rest hv the de-
i!berate judgment Of the people But While
the present IS bright with promise and the fjl-
turc is full of demand and induccment. for the
exercise of active intelligence. the past can
never be without usefulness Of a,imonition and
instruction. If its lessons serve not as beacons
they viii evidently fail to fulfil the object OF q
wise design.
When the grave shall have closed over II,
who arc now cndeavOring to meet the ob,iya-
tlons OF duty the year 1853 will he required TO
rs a period filled with ANXIOUS appreleusions
2 u.
brought w,;h 1t q vast acquisition Of territory ::
disturbing questions arose bearing upon the do
nestle institution Of one portion OF the confcle-
racy and involving the constitutional rights OF
the States. But notwithstanding differences Of
opinion and sentiment which then existed in re-
lation to details and specific provisions the az
quiescence of distinguished citizcas whose de-
votion to the Union can never be doubted. has
given renewed vieor to our institutions and re-
stored sense Of reposc and security to the
public mind ttrouc hout the cOBfcdcracv. That
this rcp0sc is TO suter no shock during nv of
ciai term, IL have power TO avoid Il. those Who
placed me here may be assured The wisdom
Of the men who knew what independence cost.
who bad put all at stake upon the issue of The
revolutionary struggle disposed Of the subject
to which refer in the only way consistent with
the non Of the States and with the march of
The power and prosperity which has made Us
what We are. 1t is significant fact that from
the adoption of the Constitution until the Off
GERS and soldiers OF the revolution lad passed
TO their graves, Or through the infrmities of
age and wounds had ceased TO participate ac-
lively in public affairs, there was not merely q
quiet acquiescence in. but prompt yindica-
n tBn nncfi