Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-12-22
faithfully to execute the powers i, con.

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faithfully to execute the powers il con.
fers, ~
Within this limit, and through the ex.
ten, of The interests of The Government
involved, |. would seem both expedient
and proper, il an economical and prac,i.
cable route shall be found, to aid by all
Constitutional means in the construction
of road which will unite, by speedy
transit. :hc population of the Pacific aud
Atlantic States. TO guard against mis-
conception. it shoulc be remarked that,
although the power to construct, or TO
aid in the construction of a road within
the limits of territory is not embarass-
ed by The question of jurisdiction which
would arise within the limits of State,
il is, nevertheless, held to be of doubtful
power, and more than doubtful proprie
~, even within the limits of territory.
FOR the General Government to under.
take to administer the affairs OF rail-
road and canal, or other similar con.
slructions; and, therefore, tina, lis con.
nec.ion with work of this character
should be incidental, rather than prima.
~. e--.ersr.s ta saa.H .
will only add, at present, that fully
approaching the magnitude of the sub
ject, and solicilous that the Atlantic and
Pacific shores Of the Republic may be
bound together by inseparable ties of
common interest, as well as of common
attachment TO the Union, shall be dis
posed, SO far as my own action is con-
cerned, to follow the lights of the con-
stitulien, az expounded and illustrated by
those whose opinions and exposilions
constitute the standard of my political
faith, in regard to the powers OF the Fed
eral Government. ar# uHla
1t is, | trust, not necessary to cay that
no grandeur of enterprise. and no pres.
ent indictment, promising popular favor.
will lead me to disregard those lights, or
depar! from that path, which experience
has proved TO be safe, and which is now
radian, with lhe glow of prosperity and
legitimate constitutional progress. We
can afford 10 wait, but we cannot afford
TO overlook tie ark of our security. ss
Ills no part of my purpose TO give
prominence to any subject which may
properly be regarded as set a. rest by
the deliberate judgmeh, of the people. -
But while the present is brigh, with
promise, and the future full Of demand
and inducemeni for the exercise OF acs
tive intelligence, The past can never be
without useful lessons of admonition and
instruction. Ii its dangers serve not as
bea cons, they will evidently fail 10 fulfill
the oujec. OF wise design. When the
grave shall have closed over all who are
now endeavoring 10 meet the obligations
of duty, The year 1853 will De required
10 as period filed with anxious appre-
hension. . .. Nm #a+aas ..:....-.
A successful war had just terminated.
Peace brought with it a vast augmenta-
ton of territory. Disturbing ques lions
arose. bearing upon the domestic lnslitu.
tons OF one portion Of the conlederacy,
and involving the constitutional rights of
the States; but, notwithstanding the diff.
ferences OF opinion and sentiment which
then existed, in relation TO details snd
specific provisions, the scquiesance of
distinguished citizens, whose devotion
TO the Union can never be doubted, has
given renewed vigor to our institutions.
aud restored sense of repose and secu
rity TO The public mind throughout The
confederacy. Tha. this repose is TO suf-
fer no shock during my official term, it |
have The power 10 avert it, those who
placed me here may be assured.
The wisdom of men who knew what
independence cost, who had put all at
stake upon the issue of the Revolution
airy struggle, disposed of the subject 10
which refer, in the only way consist
emf with the Union of the States and
with the march of power and prosperity
which has made us what we are. IL is
a significant fact, that, from the adoption
of the Constitution until the officers and
soldiers of the Revolution were carried
to their graves, or through the infrmi.ies
Of age and wounds, had ceased to par
.icipa,e actively in public affairs, there
was not merely u quiet acquiesance IN,
but prompt ,indication OF the consti-
tutional rights of the States. The re-
served powers were scrupulously res,
pecied.
No statesman put forth the narrow
views OF casuists, to justify interference
and agitation; but the spirit of the Com
pacl was regarded as sacred in the eye
Of honor, and indispensable for the great
experiment of civil liberty, which, en-
vironed by inherent difficulties, was yet
borne forward in apparen, weakness, by
q Power superior to all Obstacles
There is no condemnation which the
voice OF freedom will not pronounce up
on us, should we prove faithless 10 This
great trust. While men inhabiling diff
ferent parts of this great continent can
no more be expected 10 hold the same
opinions, or entertain the same senti-
men,s, than every variety of climate or
soil can be expected to furnish the same
agricultural products they uniie in a
common object, and sustain common
principles, essential to tho maintainance
of tina, object.
The gallant men Of the South and the