Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-12-17


already encountered, and others
under new contingencies to be anticipated, may
serve strikingly to exhibit the Importance of such
work neither these, nor all considerations combin-
ed, can have an appreciable value, when weighed
against the obligation strictly to adhere to the
constitution, and faithfully to execute the powers
it confers. Within this limit and to the extent OF
the interest of the government involved, it would
seem both expedent and proper, if an economical
and practicable route shall be found to aid, by all
constitutional means, in the construction OF road,
which will unite, by speedy transit, the popula-
tons of the Pacific and Atlantic States. To guard
against misconceptions it should be remarked that,
although the power to construct, aid in the con-
struction Of road within the limits of territory
is not embarrassed by that question of jurisdiction
which would arise within the limits of State, 1t
is nevertheless held to be doubtful proprlety, even
within the limits of territory, for the general
government to undertake to administer the affairs
of railroad, canal or other similar construction,
and therefore that its connection with a work OF
this character should be incidental rather than
primary. | will only add, at present, that, full
" approaching the magnitude of the subject, and
socitous that the Atlantic and Pacific shores Of
the republic may be bound together by the insep
arabic ties of common interest as well as of common
f9alty and attachment to the Union, | shall b.
disposed so far as my own action is concerned, to
follow the lights of the constitution, as eXpounded
and illustrated by those, whose opinions and expo
silions constitute the standard of my political faith
in regard to the powers of the federal government
1t is, trust, not necessary to say, that no gran
deur of enterprise, and no present urgent induce
ment promising popular favor, will lead me to dis
regard those lights, or to depart from the path,
which experience has proved to be safe, and which
is now radiant with the glow OF prosperity and
| L ii
to wait. but cannot afford to overlook the ark
ofour security.
1t is no part of my purpose to give prominence
to any subject, which may properly be regarded
as set at rest by the deliberate Judgment OF the
people But while the present IS bright with prom
ise and the future full of demand and induce
ment for the exercise of active intelligence, the
past can never be without useful lessons OF admo-
milton AMI instruction. Ii It's dangers serve not
as beacons, they will evidently fail 10 fulfil the OBJ
cct of wise design. When the grave shall have
closed over all, who are now endeavorng to meet
the obligations If duty, the year $50 will be re
Cured to as period filed with anxious apprehen-
sion. A successful war had just terminated
Peace brought with 1t a vast augment tlon OF ter.
rltory. Disturbing questions arose, bearing upon
the domestic institutions of one portion If the
conlederacy, and invoking the constitutional rights
opinion and sentiment, which then existed in re
aton to details aud specific provisions, the acqui-
escence Of distinguished citizens, whose devotion
to the Union can never be doubted has given re
newed vigor to our institutions, and restored a
sense of repose and security to the public mi d
throughout the coGfederacy. That is repose is
to suffer shock during my official term, if |
have power to 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 revolutionary strugg e,-dis
posed of the subject to which refer in the only
way consistent with the union of these States, and
with the march of power and prosperity which
has made US what we are. Its significant fact,
that from the adoption of the constitution until
the officers and soldiers of the revolution had
passed to their graves or, through the intirmties
of ace and wounds, had Nraseu ~ partiuii
lively IN public affairs, there was not merely a
quiet acquesccnce in, but prompt vindcation of,
the constitutional rights of the States. The re-
served powers were scrupulouSiy respected. No
statesman put forth the narrow views of casuists
to Justify interference and agitation, but the spirit
of the compact was regarded as sacred in the eye
of honor, and Indispensable for the great expert
ment of civil liberty, which, enyironed by inhe-
rent difficulties, was yet borne forward in appa-
rent weakness by power superior to all obstacles.
There IS no condemnation, which the voice OF free
dom will not pronounce upon us, should we prove
iaLhless to this great trust. While men inhabit-
ing different parts of this vast continent can no
more be expected to hold the same opinions, or
entertain the same sentiments, than every variety
of climate of soil can be expected to furnish the
same agricultural products, they can unite IN a
common object and sustain common principles es-
Contial to the maintenance of that object. The
oslant zen of the south and the north could stand
fogethe,. during the struggle OF the Revolution +;
they could stand together in the more tryl & peri
cd which succeeded the clan9or Of arms" As
their united valor was adequate to all 'Ae uals OF
the camp and dangers of the field, so their un.seu
wisdom proved equal TO the greater task of found
ing, upon a deep and broad ba is, institutions,
which it has been oar privilege to enjoy, and Will
ever be our most sacred duty to sustain. 1t IS
but the feeble expression OF a faith strong and III
versal to say that their sons, whose blood mingled
often upon the same field, during The war OF
1879, and who have more recently borne IN tn
umph the flag of the country upon a foreign solI,
will never permit alienation OF feeling TO weaken
the power of their united efforts nor internal dis
sentions to paralyze the great arm OF freedom,
upGfted for the yindication of self-govenment.
have thus briefly presented such suggestions
as seem to me especially worthy of your consde
ration. In providing for the present, You can
hardly fail to avail yourselves OF the light, which
the experience of the past casts upon the future
The growth of our popu alton has W brought
US, IN the destined career of our national history,
to a point at which it well behooves US to expand
our vision over the st prospective.
The successive decennia returns of the census
since the adoption of the constitution have reveal
ed law OF steady progressive development, which
may be stated, in general terms, duplication