Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-11-03
Secretary Davis-the Pacific Road--The
Power of Congress to build it.


Hon. JIrr. DAVIS, Secretary of War,
recently wrote letter TO friend in Geor-
gia, "defining his position" on the subject
of dsunion, and other subjects. 1t seems
Senator Toombs denounced the Secretary as
a ''disunionst." This he denies, fatty, but
he is in favor of secession" and believes a
State has the right "to withdraw from the
confederation" He advocated this doctrine
in Mississippi. He comes down on Senator
Toombs In no very delicate style, and con-
cludes his letter thus: ...
81 send you printed copies Of the speeches
| made at Philadelphia and New York,
which you can compare with the represent
atoms which, you inform me, have been
made of my remarks in relation to railroad
to the Pacific ocean. You will not fail to
observe that the only point on which |
claimed to express the views of the Presi-
dent was an assurance of strict regard for
State rights. In relation to the construction
of railr BAD; my remarks are directed to the
first question--that is, the constitutional
power of the general government. The
power of the government, under certain
conditions, is held TO extend TO the construc-
ton of railroad within the limits of Ter
ritories belonging to the United States. He
who denies this must also deny the power
to construct wagon roads, for which appro-
of h,, tho los
for the Territories of Minnesota, Oregon
and Washington. and with the disbursement
of which am now charged. He must deny
the jurisdiction which has been so long ex-
ercised over the Territories by the general
government; and finally find himself on the
same platform with the sect which arrayed
the sovereignty Of the territorial inhabitants
as barrier to federal legislation for the
protection of a Shareholders property whc
should migrate from southern State, one o.
, the joint owners of that Territory, 10 become
an inhabitant Of it. Within the limits of the
= States the action ofthe federal government
4. is restricted so that it could not exceed tn,
q aid which might be given to private compa
ny, and that have held, on other occasions
was limited to the interest in the work which
the government had as a landed proprietor
i, the rule on which Congress had made grant
of contiguous land and the right of way, il
aid of the construction of roads. Beyond tn
n question Of power are the questions ofprac
~ ticability and expedency. The practicabilit,
: will be more intelligibly discussed whe
the surveys, directed TO be made by the lat
4 Congress, have been completed. They ar,
4 now in progress, and have not attempte
), to fortel their results.
The expediency is to be considered in con
nexion with all the political, physical, an
y administrative questions which enter into il
n The mode of execution, The last TO be deci
n ded, is the first, it seems to me, presente
:. for objections; and am held responsible 70
p particular plan of proceeding, when ha
y proposed none, when, from the dependenc
e oil the plan and means of execution upon tn
d location of the route, had not considere
r it possible TO decide on the best mode OF pre-
S ceedng until after the route had been located
n Then. and not till then, can any one est
d mate the extent of road; how much, if any
d will have TO be constructed within the limit
e of the United States territory; the cost pc
mile, and the means which Jean be mad
If available for the construction.