Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-11

esisted from ths76rst BY many Of the wisest and |
most patriotic men of the republic anda policy hav-
ng provoked constant strife, without arriving at
conclusion which can be regarded as satisfactory to
Is most earnest advocates should suggest the nqu-
y whether there may not be plan likely to be
crowned by happier results Without perceiying
any sound distinction, or intending to assert any,
principle opposed to Improvements needed for the
protection OF internal commerce, which does not
equally apply to Improvements upon the seaboard
Tor the protection of foreign commerce submit to
you whether may not be safely anticjpafed that
II the policy were once settled against appropriations
OF the general government for local improvements
Tor the benefit OF commerce, localities requiring ex
pendtures would not BY modes and means clearly
legitimate and proper, raise the fund necessary for
such constructions the safety or 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 so commanded the public Judgment as to give
it the character of settled policy, though
it has produced some works Of conceded impOr-
lance, has been attended with an expenditure
quite disproportionate to their yalue-and has
resulted in squandering large sums upon objects
which have answered no valuable purpose,-the
interests of all the States require it to be aban-
doned, unless hopes may be INDUCED for the future
which find no warrant in the past
the works which are regarded by all good citizens
with sincere interest," have deemed it my duty to
ask at your hands deliberate consideration Of
the question with the hope that, animated By de-
sire to promote the permanent and substantial IN
terests Of the coGhtTy your wisdom may prove
equal to the task of devising and maturing Iian,
which, applied to this subject. may promise some
thing better than constant strife, the suspension Of
the powersof local enterprise the exciting of vain
hopes, and the disappointment of cherished expec-
tations
In expanding the appropriations made by the
last Congress several cases have arisen in relation
to works for the improvement ofharbors, which in
volye questions to the right of soil and jursdic-
ton; and have threatened conflict between the
authority of the State and general governmeuts-
The right to construct breakwater jetty, or dam,
would SEEM necessarily, to carry with it the power
to protect and fpreserve such constructions. This
can only be eifeetually done by having jurisdiction
over the soil But no clause OF the constitution IS
found, on which to rest the claim Of the United
States to exercise jurisdiction over the soil of q
State except that conferred by the eighth section
of the first article Of the constitution. tits 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 leg
isiative provision be made to cover all such cases
For the progress made in the construction Of
roads within the territories provided for in 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 intrinsic Importance, and the many inter-
esting questions of future policy which il involves,
cannot fail TO receive your early attention allUde
to the means of communication, by which different
parts Of the wide expanse of our country to be
placed in closer connexion for purposes both of de-
fence and commercial intercourse, and more eSpe-
cialy such as appertain to the communication OF
those great divisions of the Union which lie the
opposite sides of the Rocky Mountains.
That the government has not been unmindful of
this heretofore is apparent from the aid it has a
forded through the appropriations for mail facilities
and other purposes. But the general subject will
now present itself under aspects more imposing and
more purely national, by reason of the surveys or
dered by Congress, and now in the process of CON-
pletiOn, for communication by railway across the
continent, and wholly within the limits of the Uni
ted States.
The power to declare war, to raise and support
armies, to provide and maintain navy and TO
call forth the militia to execute the laws suppress
Instructions, and rePel inyasiOns, was conferred
upon Congress- as means to provide for the COM
mon defence, and to protect territory and pop
ulation now widespread and vastly multiplied. AS
incidental TO and indispensable for the exercise Of
this power, it must sometimes he necessary to con
struc military roads and 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 ncieas
ing population impose upon us no urgent neees-
sity for preparation, and leave but few tFackleSs
deserts between assailable points, and patriotic
people ever ready and generally able to protect
them. These necessary links. the enterprise and
energy Of our people are steadily and boldly strug
Cling to supply. All experience afirms that.
wherever private enterprise will avail, it is most
wise for the general government TO leave to that
and individual watchfulness the location .and-ox-
ecution of all means Of communication
The surveys before alluded to were designed TO
ascertain the most practicable and economical route
for railroad from the Mississippi to the Pacific
ocean Parties are now in the field making explo-
rations, where previous examinations had not sup
piled sufficient data and where there was the best
reason to hope the object sought might be found
The means and time being both limited, it is not to
be expected that all the accurate knowledge desired
viii be obtained but it is hoped that much and i'm
portant information viii be added to the stock pre-
yiously possessed, and that partial, if not full re-
ports ofthe 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 re-
quired by the act appropriation. The magnitude
of the enterprise contemplated has aroused, and
will doubtless continue to excite very general in
terest throughout tho country.
In its political, its commercial and its military
bearings it has varied, great and increasing claims
TO consideration. The heavy expense, the great
delay, and, at times fatality attending travel by
either Of the sthInus routes have demonstrated the
advantage which would result from interrito-
rial communication by such safe and rapid means
as railroad would supply
These difficulties, which have been encountered
in period of peace, would be magnifed and still
further increased in time Of war. But whilst the
embarrassments already encountered and others IN
der new contingencies to be anticipated, may serve
strikingly to exhibit the importance of such
work. neither these, nor all considerations cOmbi-
ned, can have an appFeeiable value, when weighed
against the obligation strictly to adhere TO the con-
stitution and faithfully to execute the powers it
confers.
Within this limit and TO the extent Of the inter
est Of the government involved If would seem both
expedient and proper, if an economical aud practi-
cable route shall be found to aid by all cOnstitu-
tOnal means, in the construction Of a road which
viii unite by speedy transit the populations Of the
Pacific and Atlantic States. To guard against
it should be remarked that, although
the power to construct, or aid in the construction
of, road within the limits of territory is not
embarrassed by that question Of jurisdiction which
would arise within the limits Of a State il is ney-
ertheless held to be Of doubtful power, and more
than doubtful propriety, even within the limits of
territory, for the general government TO undertake
to administer the affairs Of a railroad canal or
other Similar construct and tberefora that ito