The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-12-15

gress as means to provide for the COM
mon defence, and to protect a territory
and population now widespread and
vastly multiplied. As indispensable for
the exercise of this power, it must some
times be necessary to construct military
roads and protect harbors of refuge
To appropriations by Congress for such
objects, no sound objection can be raised.
Happily for our country, its peaceful poll
cy and rapidly increasing population im-
pose upon us no urgent necessity for pre-
paration, and leave but few trackless des-
erts between assaiable points and patri-
otic people ever ready and generally able
to protect them. These necessary links,
the enterprise and energy of our people
are steadyily and boldly strugglingto sup
ply. All experience aflirms that wher-
ever private enterprise will avail, it is
most wise for the general government to
leave to that and individual watchfulness
the location and execution of all means of
communication.
The surveys before alluded 10 were de-
signed to ascertain the most practicable
and economical route for railroad from
the river Missipps to the Pacific ocean.
Parties arcnow in the field making exatiops
where previous examinations had not sup
piled sufficient data, and where there
was the best reason to hope the object
soygh might be found, The means and
time being both limited, it is not to be ex-
pected that all the accurate knowledge
desired will be obtained, but it is hoped
that much and important information will
be added to the stock previously possess
ed, and that partial, if not full reports of
the surveys ordered will be received, in
time for transmission to the two houses of
Congress, ON or before the first Monday
in February next, as required by the act
of appropriation. The magnitude of the
enterprise contemplated has aroused, and
will doubtless continue to excite, very
general interest throughout the country.
In its political, its commercial, and its mil
itary 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 isthmus routes, have demonstrat-
ed the advantage which would result from
international communication by such safe
and rapid means as arailroad would sup
ply. a
These difficulties, which have been en-
countered in a period of peace, would be
magnifed and still further increased in
time of war; But whilst the embarrass-
ments already encountered, and others
under new contingencies to be anticipated,
may serve strikingly to exhibit the impor
tance of such work, neither these nor
considerations combined, can have an ap-
plicable value, when weighed against the
obligation strictly to adhere to the cunsti-
tuition, and faithfully to execute the pow
ers it confers.
Within this limit and to the extent of
the interest of the government involved,
it would seem both expedient and proper,
if an economical and practicable route
shall be found, to aid, by all constitution
al means, in the construction of a road,
which will unite by speedy transit, the
populations of the Pacific and Atlantic
States.
70 guard against misconception, it
should be remarked that, although the
power to construct, or aid in the construc-
ton of road within the limits of ter
ritory is not embarrassed by that question
of jurisdiction which would arise within
the limits of a State, it is nevertheless
held to be of doubtful power, and more
than doubtful propriety, even within the
limits Of a territory, for the general gov
ernment to undertake to administer the
affairs of railroad, canal, or other sim
liar construction, and therefore that it's
connexion with work of this character
should be incidental rather than primary
| will only add, at present, that, fully ap-
preciating the magnitude of the subject,
and solicitous that the Atlantic and Pacif-
ic shores of the republic may be bound
together by inseperable ties of common
interest, as well as of common fealty and
attachment to the Union, I shall be dis
posed, SO far as my own actionis concered
to follow the lights of the constitution, as
expounded and illustrated by those,
whose opinions and expositions constitute
the standard of my political faith in re-
gard to the powers of the federal govern
ment. 1t is, trust, not necessary to say,
that no grandeur of enterprise, and nc
present 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 constitutional
progress. We can afford to wait, but we