Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-12-09


ed by the eighth section ofthe first article the Cnst
s. then submitted whether Ill all cases yyhara m luton
are to be erected by the General Government b@
soil should first be obtained aud LEG sa tive e CHI IS
made to cover all such cases. P'''s0Q
Fer The progress made in the construction Of ro,a
the Territories, provided for in the aporonro With
asst Congress- refer you to the report If the Scc,o
There is one subject of domestic nature which g
intrinsic Importance, and the many INTEREST," f. m 'nR
future policy which it involves, not fail to rhSo,
early attention allude to the of clunn, Fe YIN
uh ch ferept parts of the VIDE eXpanse of our
be placed in closer connection for purposes hni F
md commercial intercourse, and more especially ~ ,fa i
pertain the communication Of those great d;y;s;' 1
Union which lie on the opposite sides Of the Rock y u
tairs. ''C
That the Government has rot been unmndf1I of a..
ofore is apparent from the AID it has afforded t @
preparations for mail facilities and other purposes !
general subject will now present itself under aspects
posing and more purely national, by reason Of tho %
ordered by Congress- and now in the process Of lFr
or communication bv railway across the continent P
V within the limits Of the United States. ' VIII
The power TO declare war, TO raise and support ann;
provide AID maintain navy and to call forth the min
execute the laws, suppress instructions, and Iept
was conferred upon Congress as means t. provide e.
common defence, and TO protect terri tory and p1
low widespread and vastly mutt Piled As Ecidetiy f
I'D spensabie for the eXe1c Of this power, nu,f
times be necessary to construct military roads and ~
harbors Of refuge. To appropr atoms by Congress f
bjccts no sound objection can be raised. Hanpy e. N&
country its peaceful policy and rapidly increasing pn,
impose upon us no urgent ty for preparation aa
bur few rack ess deserts between ASA liable points and
These necessary links, the enterprise and energy of o
pie are steadily ard boldly struggling to supply An
renee afIms that, wherever private enterprise win ava
most wise for the General Government leave to &
nd vidual watchtuness the location and execution ~
means of communication.
The SURVEYS before alluded to designed to aso
he most pract cable and nomcll route Tor ralrg
he Mississippi to the Pacific ocean. Parties now IN
leld making explorations, where previous cXaminat.
not supplied sufficient data, and where there was The
reason to hope the object sought might be found T6emo
nd time being both limited 1t is not to be expected ba
he accurate Knowledge desired viii be obtained blt
cd that much and important information will be added
stock previously possessed and that partial if not I'm
ports of the surveys ordered will be received in t
he two Houses of Congress, before the first Nr
February next requ red by the act OF APPROPRIATION
magnitude of the enterprise contemplated has aroused
will doubtless continue TO excite, very general ;nt-r
throughout the country In It's political, commerce.
is military bearings, il has varied great, and rcr,,.
claims to consideration. The heavy expense, The pr,
lay, and, times, fatality attend ng travel by either Of ~
tsthmus routes, have demonstrated the advantage ID
would result from nter-terr;tora contnu lic ,ol II
safe and rapid means railroad would supply.
These icutes which have been encounter d in rn 4
of peace would be magnled and Still further increased
time OF But whilst the embirIstsSlents ae DIV ec
tered, and others under new contingencies to be
may strk:ngy to exhibit the importance Of sa4
work neither these all cOnS.deTat combined ~
have an appreciate value when we ghed against tie ,
ton strictly to adhere to the Constitution and Ethh
execute the powers it conters. Within tbs limit adwh
extent Of the interest Of the Government involved
seem both expedien and proper if an econom c2l p
cable shall be found aid, by all constitutional n
the construction Of road VIII ch wall Unte by Speech
transit the populations of the Pacific and Atlantic o
guard against misconceptions it should be remarked thu
although the power to construct or aid IN the constructor
road within the limits of Territory is embarrassed
that question Of jur sdiction which would within fl
limits of State, it is nevertheless held to be Of doubt
power and more than doubtful property within
nl;ts of Territory for thu General Government to uai
axe to administer the affairs OF railroad canal or o0
similar construction, and therefore that its connection
work Of this character should be incidental rather than
mary.
will only add at present that fully approaching u
nude of the subject, and sole teas tn the Atlantic
Pacific shores of the Republic may be bound together br
feaity and attachment to the Union, shall be dsIo
far my action is concerned, to follow the light,
Constitution, cXpounded and illustrated by those VII
opinions and eXpost ons constitute the STANDARD q uI
lit cal faith III regard to the powers Of the Federal Gov
ment 1t is, trust not necessary to say that grand
Of enterprise and no present urgent ihducement prom,
popular favor, Will lead me to disregard those lights
depart from that path, which eXpcr eace has proved
safe and VIII ch IS radiant III the glow Of pr}spr
and leg innate constitutional progress. We can afford
wait but cannot afford to overlook the ark Of
ac which may properly he regarded as at by the
iIberate judgement of the people But while the present
br ght with promise, and the future full of demand and
ducement for the exercise Of active intelligence, the past
be without useful lessons Of adoiition and a>tn
ton If its dangers serve not as beacons, they will evident
fail TO fulfill the object of a design.
When the grave shall have closed over all who are No
endeavoring to meet the obligations Of duty the wear -
will be REQUIRED to period filled with anxious app
hension. successful war had just terminated Pya
brought with it a vast augmentation of TERRITORY nsu
ing questions arose. bearing upon the domestic institution
of portion Of the Confederacy, and involving the
stitutiOnal rights of the States.
But Notwithstanding differences Ofopinou and sentimc
which then existed in relation to details and specific
VISIONS the acquiescenca of distinguished citizens who
devotion the Union never be doubted has given
newed vigor to institutions and restored sense Of
pose and ty to the public mind throughout the Go
federacy That this repose is to suerno shock dWnSD
official term, If have power to avert it, those who po
me here may be assured. The wisdom of men, who kl,
what independence cO5t,-whO had put all at stake up
the issue Of the revolutionary strugge-disposed Of
subject to which refer, in the ONLY way consistent
the union Of these States and with the march Of pogGa
prosperity which has made Us what are.
1t is significant fact, that from the adoption Of
Constitution until the officers and soldiers of the Rco
ton had passed to their graves, Or, through the int
Of age and wounds, had ceased to participate acve
public affairs there not merely quiet acquieecence
but prompt vindcatOn Of the const tutioua rights
ftitas The several powers scrupulOuS y respect
No statesman put forth the narrow views of ca us to
tty interference and agitation but the spirit Of the
pact regarded sacred in the eye of honor and ind
pensable for the great experiment of civil liberty w
environed by inherent difficulties was vet borne forward
apparent weakness by power superior to all obsac
There is no cond .mnatol, which the voice of freedom
not pronounce upon Us, should prove aithess to
great trust.
nent can no more be expected to hold the same oplo
or entertain the same sentiments than every varicl
climate soil can be expected furnish the same ag
tural products, they can unite in object and
tain common principles essential to the maintenance
object The gallant of the South and the No5tbco
stand together during the struggle of the Revolution
could stand together in the trying period which
ceeded the clangOr Of arms As their united vaOr
equate to ali the trials of the camp and dangers Of the he
so their united wisdom proved equal the greater task
founding, upon deep and broad basis, institutions VIII
it has been our privilege to enjoy, and will be
most sacred duty to sustain. 1t is but the feeble py
SION OF faith strong and universal say that their sol
whose blood mingled so often upon the same field dur
the war of 1912, and who have more recently borne
umph the flag of the country upon foreign soil will D
er permit alienation Of feeling weaken the power
their united efforts, internal discussions pare
great arm OF freedom, uplifted for the vindcaon Of
government.