Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-12-13


witch our fathers left IN, and TO make
stern effort 10 conform our actions 10 u. II
would seem that the fact Of principle having been
esIsted from the first by many o the wisest aud
most patriotic mcn Of the republic, and policy
,aving provoked n constant strife, wit'oni nrr-
ling nj II conclusion which can bc regarded ~
satisfactory TO its most earnest advocates, should
suggest the inquiry whether there may not le II
plan likely TO be crowned with happier rs'i's'
Without perceiving any sonnd distinction, or M
lending 10 asseri any princi pie us opposed 10 IN.
needed Tor the protection oi internal
which dos not upply 10 improvement
upon the scaboard for the protrciion Of i"re'sn
submit 10 You whether II inly mol
bc sifc!y anticipated that IL the policy were once
settled against appropriations by the general gov.
for lOcul improvements FOR the bcn'ht oi
commerce, localities requiring expenditures wo"'u
not, by modes aud means CLEARLY legitimate nhd
proper, raise the fund necessary for such con'
thr safety or other Interests OF their
commerce. might require
Ir that can be regar ed rs system, winch III
tho experience, Of more teau thirty years. has nj
no time so commanded the public judgpen At rs 10
give II the char icter Of settled policy. who
though II has produced some works OF conccdrd
inlpOi incc, has been Ittendcd with nm eXprn"''
tnrc quite disproporionaic TO their value. ana mas
resulted In sqhanfering large sums upon oOiec''
which have answered no valuable purpose,--'h
incsts Of all the States require II sl'oald be a"
dened. unless hopes may be- induiged for the '"'
ture which find 10 warrant in the past
With an anxious desire for the completion o'
the works which were req irdcd by all good c'''
zens with sincere interest, | have deemed II my
duty TO usk ut your hands deliberate recons'd
GRAFTON Of tho ue.iOn, with II hops that, nn'm''
ted by desire 20 promote the permanent aud .uo'
st,nti,l interests Of the country, your wi4doh
may prove equal 10 ms task of devsing and M
Il sl.
promise something better than constant sir"e'
the suspension of the powers Of local rn'erp'is''
the exciting oe vuin hopes and the disappol't'
| in"nt of cherished expectations.
In exPcnding tho appropriations mad ny ,n'
last Congress, several cpsrs have arisen IN r-la'
tion to works for ths Improvement OF i'arbors.
which involve questions as to the right ot sou
and jurisdiction, and have threatened conflict
he, wccn the authori y OF tho State aud general
governments. The right to construct break.
water, jctty, or dlm, would seem, neccssiri'y' -
carry " til it the power 10 protect and prss'rv'
such constructions. This in only he ell ctiaI-
ly done By having jurisdiction over the soil.-
Bat no clause Of the constitution is found, on
which 10 rest the claim Of the United states 10
exercise jurisdiction the soil Of II State. ex.
cept that conferred hy the eighth section OF tho
first article OF the constitution. lis, then, SUB
mitled, whether, In all cases where constructions
are TO be erected by the general governm,ni, the
right of soil should not first obain'd. ana egis'
iative provision be made to cover all such cises
For the progress made In the construction ol
roads within the territories, US provi led Tor III
the appropriations Of the last Congress, refer
. you 10 the report Of tie .cretary Of War.
There is one subject OF domestic nature
which from its intrinsic importanc,. and the M
ny int, resting questions Of III ufe po ic; which
il involves, cannot fail TO receive your early ut
tention. ] allude TO the means Of comnunica'
ton, by which different parts Of the wide ex'
panse Of our country are TO be placed In close'
, connexion for purposes both Of defense and com
, mercal intercourse, and more especially snch IL
i divisions Of the union which lie on the opposit,
sides of the Rocky Mountains.
n That the government has not been unmindiu
Of this heretofore is apparent from the aid It hl
afforded, through uppropIi itiOns for ma IL faci
ties and other purposes. Rut the general sub
cct will now present itself under aspects NOR
=. imposing aud moro purely national, By reason o
s the surveys ordered by Congress, and now II
8 the process Of compe elton, for communication b.
e railway across the continent, and wholly with'
e the limits Of the United States.
% The power to dsclare war, to raise and suppor
3, armies. to provide and M ,intain navy, and I
call forth the militia to execute the laws, suppress
il instructions and repel invas ions, was conIcrre
y upon Congress us means TO provide for the com
D. mon defense and 10 protect the tcrrltor
aud population now wide spread nn
- vastly multiplied. As Indispensable for the eS
of ercise Of this power 1t must SO tim - b, n"c'
Of siry 10 construct military roais aud protect ha
I'd bors of refuge. To appropriations Of Congre
ir for such obi tcis, 10 sound objection can h, ra
,e ed. Happily for ou. country, 1t. ps,cciu pol
ID cy and rapidly increasing population impos' npo
j. MS no urgent necessity for preparation, aud ea'
Of but few trackIess deserts between ussiil,b
al. ,l randy nj
&c orally able to protect them. These necessir
o. links, the enterprise and energy oI our pop
or are steadily and boldly struggling 10 supply
=. All experience ufrms that. wherever privats cI
nc terprise will avail, II is most wis Tor the g,ner
I'm governm,nt to ie,ve to that aud individual wic
fulncss the loo ,tion and execution OF all mn'
rd of commune hion.
,n Tie surveys before alluded to werc d.sga I'd
TO ascertain the most practicable and economic
10 rout. for railroad from the river Mississippi
ch tho PLcitiic ocean, Parties are now In the he
of making explorations, where previous cXiInin
e tions had not supplied sufficient data, and whr
n there was tn, best r'ason to hope the oajr
of sought might be found. The msans and lii
bcing both limited, it is not - be- xp'cted til
10. all the accurate knowledge desired will be @
he tancd. but il Is hoped that much and impo 't'
n, information will be added TO the socx previous
bv possessed and that partial. II not full reports
In. the survey ordered will he received, III tins
nr. transmission 10 the two houses Of Congress,
no, or before the first Monday in February next,
nat required by the act of appropri 'tion. The m
has ni,utc of the enterprise completed has arou'
ted and will doubtless contiaue to cxeite. very e
on. eral interest throughout the country In its
ar. Iitcal. its comm ,rcial und its military bcar
ul. it has varied, great, aud increasing claims
consideration. Tho heavy expens, the great
er lay, and ut times, fatality attending travel by
nc. ther Of the is,hmus routes, have d.moh'trii
.s, the advantage which would result from inter
~. tional niinunicatiol BY such safe and ri
in. ME aus rs railway would supply.
SO These difficulties, which have been encoun'
.ra ed In period Of peace, would be M lgnihed !
,ith still further Increased in time OF war.
a Of whilst the emblrrassrl,nts already encounte'
we'd and others under pew contingencies to bs ait
the pa.ed, may serve strikngy 10 exhibit ,l,e imp
lance Of euch work, neither these nor all =
i'm. siderutons coinbined.c III have an apPreciibe
,er. ne, when weighed against the obligation strit
ms. to adhere 10 the constutioh,and faithfully to
cen ecute tho powers II confers.
Within this limit and 10 the extent Of the
Jcl terest Of the government Involved, II would 81
ant both expedient aud proper, II an economical
tha practicable route shall be found, TO aid, by
M, constitutional means. In tn, construction
i,h. road, which will unite, by SPEEDY transit,
Ii,. populations OF the Pacific und Atlantic State
len, 10 guard against misconc ,plion, 1t shoalt
met remarked that, although the power 10 corstr
ON. or aid IN the construction Of, road within
yth. limits oi u territory Is not embarrassed By