Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-12-07

the interests of all States require it to be aban
doned, unless hopes may be INDUCED for the fu-
| ture, which find no warrant in the past
I With an anxious desire for the completion of
the works which are regarded by all good citi-
zens with sincere interest, have deemed it my
duty to ask at your hands deliberate recon-
sideration Of the question with hope that anima-
ted by desire to promote the permanent and
substantial interests of the country, your wisdom
may prove equal to the task of devising and ma
turing plan which if 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 disappointment
of cherished expectations.
In expendng appropriations made by the last
Congress- several cases have arisen in relation to
works for the improvement of Harbors which in
volve questions to the right of local jurisdIc-
ton, and have threatened conflict between the
authority of the General Government.
The right to construct brakewater, Jetty, or
dam would seem necessary to carry with it the
power to protect and preserve such constructions.
This can only be effectually done by having Ju-
rsdiction over the SOIL But no clause of the con-
stitution is found on which to rest the claim OF
the United States to exercise jurisdiction over the
soil of State, except that conferred by the eighth
section of the first article of the constitution. 1t
is then submitted whether in all where con-
structions are to be erected by the general Gov
ernment the right of soil should not be first OBJ
tained and legislative provision be made to cover
all such cases. For the progress made in the
construction of roads within the appropriations of
the last Congress-, refer you to the report of the
Secretary of War.
There is one subject of domestic nature which
from its intense importance and the many inter-
esng questions Of future policy which it involves,
cannot fail to receive your early attention. al
lude to the means of communication by which diff
ferent parts of the wide expanse of our country
are to be placed in closer connection for purpos-
es, both of defence and commercial intercourse,
and more espe cially such appertain to the COM
munication of those great divisions OF the Union
which lie on the opposite side of the Rocky
Mountains. That the government has not been
unmindiul heretofore, is apparent from the aid it
has afforded through appropriations for mail facil-
tiles and other purposes but the subject will soon
present itself under aspects more purely national
by reason of the surveys ordered by Congress, and
now in the process of completion for communca-
ton by Railroads across the continent, and Who'll
/ ly within the limits of the Uuted States.
The power to declare war, to raise and support
armies, to provide and maintain a navy, and to
call forth the military to execute the laws; sup
press instructions and repel invasions, was con-
ferred upon Congress, as means to provide for
the common defence, and to protect territory
and population now wide spread and vastly
multiplied.
AS incidental and indispensable Tor the exercise
of this power it must sometimes be necessary to
construct military roads, ond protect Harbors OF
Refuge.
To appropriations by Congress for such objects
no sound objection can be raised. Happily for
our country, its peaceful policy, and rapidly in
creasing population impose upon no urgent ne
cessity for preparation and leave few trackess des
erts between assalabe points, and patriotic
people ever ready and generally able to protec,
them. These necessary links, the enterprise and
energy of our people steadily and boldly strug.
Cling to supply. All experience affirms tha,
wherever private enterprise will avail, it is most
wise for the general government to leave that in
individual watchfulness the location and execu-
ton of al means of communication
The surveys before alluded to were designed to
ascertain the most practical and economical route
for rail road, from the river Mississippi to the
Pacific Ocean Parties are now in the field ma
king explorations where previous examination
had not supplied sufficient data, and where there
was the best reason to hope the object sought
might be found. The means and time beinp both
limited, it is not to be expected that all the ac-
curate know led dge desired will be obtained but it
is hoped that 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 magnitude of the enterprise contemplated
has aroused and will doubtless continue to exert
a very general interest throughout the county,
In its political, its commercial and its military
bearings has varied, great and increasing claims
to consideration. The heavy expenses, the great
delay, and at times fatality attending travel by
either OF the isthmus routes have demonstrated
the advantage which would result from interna-
tional communication by such safe and rapid
means as rail road would supply. These diff
cultles which have been encountered in a period
OF peace would be magniied and still further in
creased in time of war, but while the embarrass-
ment already encountered, and others under new
contingencies to be anticipated, may serve stri-
kingly to exhibit the Importance of such work
neither these, nor all considerations combined
can have an appreciable value when weighed
against the obligations strictly to adhere to the
constitution, and faithfully to execute the powers
it coners within its limit, and to the extent of the
interest of the government it involved, it would
seem but expedient and proper if an economical
and practical route shall be found to aid by all
constitutional means in the construction of road
which will unite by speedy transit the populations
of the Pacific and Atlantic States.
10 guard against misconcepton, it should be
remarked that although the power to construct OF
of territory is not embarrassed by that question
of jurisdiction which would arise within the limits
of State, is nevertheless held to be of doubtful
power, and more than doubtful proprety, ever
within the limits of territory, for the severa
governments to undertake to administer the af
fairs of railroad or canal, or other similar con
struction, and therefore that its connection with
work of this character should be incidental rathe
than primary. will only add, at present, tina
fully apprecating the magnitude of the subject
and solicitous that the Atlantic and Pacific shores
lof = khop hlSo h<h 4 %o~n h:r