Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-24

of the State Governments, connected Win the sengh
and of the country would be made more en-
cien for the purposes intended by them In war they
would facilitate the transportation OF men, ordnance ana
and munitions Of OIL every kind to every
Mart ~ onr extensive coast and interior which at
toc might he made or threatened Those who have any
of the OF the late war must know
the good effect which would result in the of another
war from the command of interior navigation alone
along the coast all the purposes Of war; as well as OF
commerce. between the different parts OF our Union The
impedments to all military operations which proceeded
from the want Of such navigation, and the reliance
which was placed, Notwithstanding those mpedimcnts on
such commerce. cannot be forgotten. In every other
line their good effect would be most sensbly felt Intel
gence by of the Pest Office Department would be
easily, extensively, and rapidly dused Parts the
most remote from each other would be brought more
closely together. Distant lands would be made more
valuable and the industry of fellow citizens every
portion Of soil be better rewarded"
There is another view in which these Improvements
still of more vital Importance The effect which TREY
would have the bond of union itself affords an induce
ment for them powerful than any which have been
urged than all of them united. The only danger TO
which system is exposed arises from its expansion
vast territory Our Union is not held together by
standing armies or by any ties other than the positive
interests and powerful attractions of its parts toward
each other. Ambitious men may hereafter grow up
among who may promise to themselves advancement
from change, and by practising npon the sectional in
terests feelings and preudces enaeavor under various
pretexts to promote it. The history OF the world IS
replete with examples of this kinds of military command
and demagogues becoming usrrpers and rants and
of their cowcitzens becoming their instruments and
slaves. have little fear of this danger, knowing well
how strong the bond which holds together is and who
the people who thus held together but still it is
proper look and to provide against it. and 1t is not
within the compass Of human wisdom to make o more
eectua provision than would be made by the proposed
improvements With their aid and the intercourse which
would grow of them the parts would become so
compaced and bound together that nothing could break
1T cannot be doubted that improvements for great
national purposes would be better made by the National
Government than by the Governments of the several
States Our experience prior TO the adoption of the
stitution demonstrated that in the exercise oy the M
vdual States of most of the powers granted TO the united
States contracted rivalry OF interests ana isaPpeu
jealousy of each other had important influence on all
their measures, to the great injury Of the whole
then calls attention to the situation of the
Cumberland road and the necessity for particular and
early action the part Of Congress- and concludes with
the recommendation:
it is thought proper to this power in the Uni
ted States the only mode in which it be done is by
amendment of the constitution The States indiyd
ualy not transfer the power to the United States
the United States receive it. The constitution
forms equal and the sole relation between the General
Government and the several States and it recognises
change in it which shall not in like manner apply to
all. If is admitted that the General Government
may form compacts with individual States, not common
to the Others and which the others might even dsap-
prove into what perncious consequences mig ht it not
lead Such compacs utterly repugnant 10 the prin-
cipes of the constitution and of the most dangerous
have given their sanction only to the route and to the
acquisition of the soil by the United States right very
different from that Of jurisdiction, which cannot be grant
ed without amendment to the constitution and which
need not be granted for the purposes of this system
cept in the limited heretofore stated On full
consideration therefore, of the whole subject am of
opinion that such amendment ought be recommend
ed to the several States for their adoption
have essentially executed that part Of the task
which Imposed myself ofexamning the right of Con-
gress to adopt and execute system of internal improve
Lnrn - IL
1t is think, equally manifest that such power vested
in Congress- and wisely executed, would have the hap
pest effect all the great interests Of Union. 1t is
however my opinion that the power should be confined
great national works only, since, if it unlimited it
would be liable to abuse and might be productive of evil
For all minor improvements the of the States
individually would be fully adequate and by the States
such improvements Nigh be made with greater advan-
tage than by the Unon they would understand better
such their more immediate and local interests
quired."
In his annual message of Sd December 1922 President
MONROE recommended appropriation for regular
superintendent and repair Of the Cumberland road lie
called mind his long document the close of the pre-
viOus session. and his views respecting the right apro
praoa distinct from the right Of jurisdiction and
regnty the territory in question" His views
this point embraced in the following paragraph:
"Ths road Of ncalculable advantage in facilitating
the intercourse between the Western and the Atlantic
States Through it the whole country from the north
all the waters which empty into each, finds an easy and
direct communication 70 the seat of and thence
to the Atlantic. The facility which it affords to all mill
tary and commercial operations and also those the
Post Office Department cannot be estimated too highly
This great work is likewise ornament and honor
the nation Believing that competent power to adopt
and execute n system OF internal improvement has not
been granted to Congress- but that such power conn
ed to great national purposes and with proper limitations
would be productive Of eminent advantage to Union
have thought advisable that amendment Of the
tltiItfa IA shnFa
yera States. bill which assumed the right to adopt
aud execute such system having been presented for my
signature at the last session, compelled from the
view which had taken Of the powers Of the General Gov
ernmSnt, to negative it, which occasion thought II
proper TO communicate the sentiments which had form
ed, mature consideration on the whole subject To
that communication, in all the views in which the great
interest to which relates may be supposed TO merit your
attention. have now to refer. Should Congress how
ever, deem il improper TO recommend such an amend
ment they have, according to my judgment the right to
keep the road in repair By providing the supernte
dence Of it. and appropratng the money necessary for
repairs. Surely If they had right to appropriate mo-
ney TO make the road they have right appropriate IL
10 preserve the road from ruin From the exercise Of
this power danger is to be apprehended Under our
happy system the people the sole and exclusive foun
tain Of power"
In his message Of December ID, 1923, President Mon
thus referred the Of internal Improvement
"The sum which appropriated the last session
for the repair Of the Cumberland road habeen applied
with good effect that object. final report has not
yet been received from the agent who appointed to
supcrntend IT, As it is received it shall be CON-
municated to Congress.
Many patriotic and heightened citizens, who have
maae the subject object Of particular investigation
have suggested improvement Of still greater import
They arc OF opinion that tile waters Of the Chesa
4 moo En aYdn 4 -.