Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-21

it should be remarked that, although the
power to construct or aid in the construc
ton OF, a road within the limits of terri
Tory, y not embarrassed BY that question
oil Jurisdiction which would arise within
the limits of State, il is nevertheless held
to be of doubtful power, and more than
doubtful propriety, even within the limits
of a territory. for the general government
to undertake to administer the affairs of
railroad, canal or other similar eonstrue-
ton, and therefore, that its connection
with work of this character should be
incidental rather than primary. I will
only add at present that, fully apprecia-
ting the magnitude of the subject, and So
licitous that the Atlantic and Pacific
shores of the republic may be bound to-
gether by inseperable ties of common in
terest. as well as of fealty and attachment
to the Union. L shall be disposed. so far as
my action is concerned, to follow the lights
of the constitution, as expounded and IL
lustrated by Those whose opinions and
expositions constitute the standard of my
political faith in regard to the powers of
| the federal government. Ii is, L. trust,
not necessary to say, that no grandeur of
enterprise, and no present urgent induce
ment promising popular favor, will lead
me to disregard those lights, or to depart
from that path which experience has pro-
we'd to be safe. and which Is nov radiant
with the glow of prosperity and legitimate
constitutional progress. We can afford
to wait, but we cannot afford to overlook
the ark of our security.
1t is no part of my purpose to give pro-
min ence to any subject which may pro-
perly be re garded AS set at rest by the de-
liberate judgement of the people. But
while the present is bright with promise.
and the future full of demand and induce
ment tor the exercise of active intelli-
gence, the past can never be without use
full lessons of admonition and instruction.
Ii its dangers serve not AS beacons, they
will evidently fail to fulfill the object of
wise design. When the grave shall have
closed over all who are now endeaSorins
to meet the obligations OF duty, the year
1850 will De REQUIRED to as a period TILED
with anxious apprehension. A successful
war had Just terminated. Peace brought
with it vast augmentation OF territory.
Disturbing questions arose, bearing upon
the domestic institutions OF one portion OF
the cOnfederacy, and involving the con-
stitutiontl rights Of the States. But, not
outstanding difference of opinion and
sentiment, which then existed in relation
to details and specific provisions, the ac-
quiesceEce OF distinguished citizens, whose
devotion 70 the Union can never be doubt
ed, has given renewed vi9or to our inSLi-
buttons, and restored sense ofrepose and
security to the public mind throu shout
! the confederacy. That this rePose is TO
suffer no shock during my official term.
! If have power to avert 1t, those who
! placed me here may rest assured. The
wisdom of men Who knew what iudepcn
dence cost-who had put all at sta e
| upon the issue OF the revolutionary strug
gle,-Iisposed of the subject to which
refer, in the only Iay consistent with the
union of these States, and with the march
of power and prosperity which has made
US what we are. II is a significant fact,
| that from the aIopIioa of the constitution
| until the officers and soldiers of the revo-
luton had passed to their graves, or
through the intirmities of age or wounds.
had ceased to participate actively III pub
lie affairs. there was not merely "a quiet
acqu!escence in,t but prompt yindication
of, the constitutional rights of the States.
The reserved powers were scrupulously
respec ed. No statesman put forth the
narrow view of casuists to justify interfe
renee and agitation, but the spirit of the
compact was regarded as sacred in the
eye OF honor, AMI indispensable for the
great experiment OF civil liberty, which,
enyiroGed by inherent difficulties, was yet
borne forward in apparent weakness by a
power superior to all obstacles. There is
no condemnation, which the voice of free
! dom will not pronounce upon US, should
We prove faithlesS to this great trust
While men inhabiting different parts of
this vast continent. can no more be ex-
pected to hold the same opinions. or en-
terrain the same sentiments, than every
variety of climate or soil can be expected
to furnish the same agricultural products,
they can unite in a common object, and
sustain common principles essential to
the maintenance of that object. The
gallant men of the south and the north
Could stand together during the struggle
of the Revolution; they could stand TO-
gether in the more trying period which
succeeded the clangor of arms. As their
united valor was adequate to all the trials
their united wisdom proved equal to the
Siea'et InsA vi tOuhuihS' upon oeep
and broad basis, institutions. which it has
been our privilege to enjoy, and will ever
be our most sacred duty to sustain. Ii
is but the feeble expression of faith.
strong and universal, to say that their
sons, whose blood mingled SO often upon
the same ield during the war of 1879,
and who have more recently borne in tri.
umph the dag OF the country upon a
foreign soil, will never permit alineation
of feeling to weaken the power of their
united efforts, nor internal dissensions TO
paralyze the great arm of freedom. up