Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-12-15

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struct breakwater. jetty. or da m. would
seem necessarily. TO carry with 1t the
power 10 protect and preserve such con
struotions. This can only be eifectually
done by having Jurisdiction over the soil.
But no clause of the constitution is
found. on which to res; the claim of the
United States 10 exercise jurisdiction
over the soil Of State. except that con-
ferred by the eighth section of the first
article of the constitution. 1t is, then.
submitted. whether, in all cases where
constructions are to be erected by the
general government, the right Of soil
should not first be obtained, and legisla-
tive provision be made to cover all such
cases.
For the progress made in the construc-
tion Of roads within the territories as
provided for in the appropriations of the
last Congress. / refer you to the report Of
the Secretary Of War.
There is no one subject Of domestic
nature, which. from its intrinsic i,npor-
lance. and the many Interesting questions
of future policy which it involves, cannot
fail to receive your early attention. |
allude to the means of communica ton
by which different parts OF the wide ex.
parse of our country are to be placed in
closer connexion for purposes both of de-
fence and commercial intercourse, and
more especially such as appertain to the
communication of those great divisions
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sides of The Rocky Mountains.
That the government has not been UNI
mindful Of this heretofore, il is apparent
from the aid it has afforded, through ap-
preparations for mail facilities and other
purposes. But the general subject will
now present itself under aspects more
imposing and more purely national, BY
the reason Of the Of the surveys ordered
by Congress. and now in the process of
completion. for communication by rail
way across the continent. and wholly
within the limits Of the United States.
The power to declare wor to raise and
support armies, TO provide AMI maintain
a navy. and to call forth the militia to
execute the laws. suppress Instructions.
and repel invasions, was conferred upon
Congress. as means to provide for the
common defence, and TO protect terri
tory and population now widespread
and vastly multiplied. AS incidental to
and indispensable for the exercise Of this
power, it must sometimes be necessary
to construct military roads and protect
harbors of refuge. To appropriations by
Congress for such objects. no sound OBJ
lection can be raised. Happily for our
country, its peaceful policy and rapidly
increasing population impose upon US no
urgent necessity for preparation. and
leave but few trackless deserts, between
assailable points and patriotic people
ever ready and generally able to protect
them. These necessary links. the enter
prise and energy eff our people are stead
lily and boldly struggling to supply. All
experience affirms that whatever private
enterprise will avail, it is most wise for
the general government to leave TO that
indi vidual watchfulness the location and
execution Of all means Of communica-
ton.
The surveys before alluded to were
designed to ascertain the most practical
and economical route for railroad from
the Mississippi TO the Pacific Ocean.
Parties are now in the field making ex-
plorstions. where previous examinations
had not supplied suificien, data, and
where the best reason TO hope the object
sought mi sht be found. The means and
time being limited. it is not to be ex-
pected that all the accurate knowledge de-
sired will be obtained. but it is hoped tina,
much and important information will be
added to the stock previously possessed,
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 magniiud of the
enterprise contemplated has aroused,
and will doubtless continue to excite.
very general interes! throughout the
country.
In its political. its commercial and it's
military bearings. it has varied, great
and increasing claims to consideration.
The heavy expense. the great delay. and.
at times, fatality attending travel by eth
er of the isthmus routes, have demon
strated the advantage which would re-
suit from interterritorial communication
BY such safe and rapid means as a railroad
would supply.
These difficulties, which have been en-
couutered in period of peace. would be
magnifed and still further Increased in
time of war But whilst the embarrass-
mehts already encountered. and others
under new contingencies to be an
ticipa ted, may serve strikingly to exhibit
the importance of such work. neither
these, nor all considerations combined,
can have an appreciable value. when
weighed against the obligation strictly to