Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-10
NoRIIIel BoIN


and that the members should hold stated and spe-
cia1 meeting the supervision of the affairs the
Institution Theorganization not having taken place.
1t seemed to me proper that it should be effected
without delay. This has been done ! and an occa-
sion was thereby presented for inspecting the con
dtlon of the Institution, and approaching its sue
cessful progress thus far and its high promise of
great and general usefulness sssaas
have omitted to ask your favorable considera-
ton for the estimates of works of local character
in twenty of the thirty-one States amounting
to one million seven hundred and fifty -four thous
and five hundred dollars, because Independently of
fairgrounds which have often been urged against
the application of the federal revenue for works of
this character inequality with consequent injustice,
is inherent in the nature of the proposition and be-
cause the plan has proved entirely inadequate to the
accomplishment of the objects sought.
The subject of internal improvements, claiming
like the interest and goodwill of ALL has, neverthe
less, been the basis of much political discussion, and
has stood as deep-graven line of division between
statesmen OF eminent ability and patriotism. The
rule of strict construction of all powers delegated by
the States to the general government, has arraycd
ITSELF from time to time, against the rapid progress
OF expenditures from the national treasury works
of local charactar within the States. Memorable
as an epoch in the history of this subject is the
Message of President jackson, of the 9th of May,
1880, which met the system of internal improve
ments in its comparative infancy but rapid had
been its growth, that the projected appropriations
in that year for works of this character had risen
to the alarming amount of more than one hundred
millions of dollars.
In that message the President admitted the diff
Guilty of bringing back the operations of the govern
mcnt to the construction of the constitution set
up in 1913, and marked it admonitory proof
of the necessity of guarding that instrument with
sleepess vigilance against the authority of precc-
dents, which had not the sanction of its most plain
ly defined powers
Our government exists under a written compact
between sovereign States uniting for specified OBJ
jects and with spt cic grants to their general agent
If then, in the progress of it's administration, there
have been departures from the terms and intent OF
the compact it is, and will be, proper to refer
back to the fixed standard which fathers LETT US,
and to make stern effort to conform our action to
it. 1t would that the fact of principle haV-
ing been resisted from the first by many of the wis
est and most patriotic men of the republic, and
policy having provoked constant strife, without ar
irving at conclusion which be regarded as
satisfactory to its most earnest advocates, should
suggest the inquiry whether there may not be a
plan likely to be crowned by happier results
Without pcrceving any sound distinction or intend
ing to assert any principle opposed to improve
ments needed for the protection OF internal conf
merce, which does not equally apply to improve
mcnts upon the seaboard for the protection OF for
eign commerce, 1 submit to you, whether it may
not be safely anticipated that, if the policy were
once settled against appropriations by the general
government for local improvements for the oenent
of commerce, localities requiring expenditures
would not by modes and means clearly legitimate
and proper raise the fund necessary for such con-
struction the safety other interests of their
commerce might require.
If that can be regarded a system, which, in the
experience of more than thirty years, has at no time
commanded the public Judgment as to give it the
character of settled policy,-which, though it has
produced some works of conceded Importance, has
been attended with expenditure quite dispropor-
tomato to their valuc,-and has resulted IN Squan-
dering large sums upon objects which have answer
ed no valuable purpose;S-the interests OF all the
States require it to be abandoned unless hopes may
be INDUCED for the future which find warrant in
the past
With an anxious desire for the completion of the
works which regarded by all good citizens with
sincere interest have deemed it my duty to ask at
your hands deliberate consideration of the ques-
ton, with hope that, animated by desire to pro-
mote the permanent and substantial interests of the
country, your wisdom may prove equal to the task
of deVising and maturing plan, which, applied TO
this subject may promise something better than
constant strife the suspension of the powers OF local
enterprise the exciting of vain hopes, and the dis
appointment of cherished expectations.
In expanding the appropriations made by the last
Congress- several cases have arisen In relation to
works for the Improvement of harbors, which IN |
volve question to the right of soil and JuI1sdlc-
tion and have threatened conflict between the au-
thority of the State and general governments. The
right to construct brcakwater, jetty, or dam, |
would seem, necessarily, to carry with 1t the power
to protect and preserve such construct tons. Inns
can only be effectually done by having jurisdiction
over the SOIL But clause of the constitution is
found, on which to rest the claim of the United
States to exercise jurisdiction ever the soil OF |
State, except That INC VI
the first article of the constitution 1t is, then sub
mitted whether, in all where constructions
are to be erected by the general government, the
right of soil should not first be obtained, and legls-
ative provision be made to all such cases.
For the progress made in the construction OF roads
within the territories as provided for in the appro
Driaons of the last Congress- refer you to the re-
port of the Secretary of War.
There is subject of domestic nature, which from
it's intrinsic importance, and the many interesting |
questions of future policy which 1t involves cannot
fail to receive your early attention. alude to the
means of communication by which different parts OF
the wide eXpanse of country are to be placed IN
close conneXen for purposes both OF defence and
intercourse and more especially such as
appertan to the communication of those great divis-
ions of the Union, which lie the opposite side OF
the Rocky Mountains.
That the government has not been unmindfu OF
this heretofore is apparent from the aid it has atfor-
ed through appropriations for mail facilities, and
other purposes. But the general subject will now
present itself under aspects more imposing ana more
purely national, by reason of the surveys ordered
by Congress, and now in the process OF completion,
for communication by railway away across the con-
tinent and wholly within the limits of the United
States
The power to declare war, to raise and support ar
miles, to provide and maintain navy, and to call !
forth the militia to execute the laws suppress lnsur-
rections, and repel invasions, was conferred upon
Congress, as means to provide for the common de- /
fence, and to protect territory and a population
now wide spread and vastly multiplied. As nciden-
tai to and indispensable for the exercise of this pow
err it must sometimes be necessary to construct mil
tary roads and protect harbors of refuge. To APP
preparations by Congress for such Objects no sound