The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-14

commerce might require.
If that can be regarded as system,
which, in the experience of more than
thirty years. has at no time so command.
ed the public judgment as to give it the
character of a settled policy, which, though
! it has produced some works of conceded
importance, has beer attended with an
expenditure quite disproportionate to their
value, and has resulted in squandering
large sums upon objects which have an
swered no valuable purpose-the interests
Of all the States require it to be abandon
ed. unless hopes may be INDUCED for the
future which find no warrant in the past
With an anxious desire for the compile
ton of the works which are regarded by
all good citizens with sincere interest,
have deemed ii my duty to ask a: your
hands deliberate reconsideration of the
question, with hope that, animated by a
desire to promote the permanent and sub
stantial interests Of the country. your WIS
dom may prove equal to the task of de-
vising aud maturing plan, which, appli-
ed to this subject, may promise something
better than constant strife. the suspension
of the powers of local enterprise, the ex.
citing of vain hopes. and the disappoint-
ment OF cherished expectations
In expending the appropriations made
by The last Congress, several cases have
arisen in relation 10 works for the inn
provement of harbors, which involve ques.
ton as to the right Of soil and jurisdiction,
and have threatened conflict between the
authority Of the State and general gov
ernments. The right to construct a break
. iotf
sarily, to carry with it the power TO pro
tect and preserve such constructions.
} This can only be effectually done by hav-
ing jurisdiction over the soil. But no
clause OF the constitution is found, on
which to restthe claim Of the United States
. to exercise jurisdiction over the soil of a
State. except that conferred by the eighth
' section Of the first article of the consiitu
! tion. II is, then, submitted. whether, in
all cases where constructions are 10 be
e erected by the general government. the
0 right Of soil should not first be obtained
\ and legislative provision be made to cover
: all such cases.
: For the progress made in the construc-
+ ton of roads within the territories. as pro-
e vided for in the appropriations of the las,
: Congress. ! refer you to the report Of the
Il Secretary of War. ~
). There is one subject Of a domestic ma.
e ,ure. which. from its intrinsic Importance
S and the many interesting questions OF flu
e lure policy which it involves. cannot fai
5 to receive your early attention. aluds
II TO the means Of communication, by which
!. different parts Of the wide expanse Of ou
!. country are to be placed in closer con
d nection for the purposes both of defence
o and commercial intercourse. and mor'
l. especially such as appertain to the com
munication Of those great divisions OF ih'
'e Union. which lie on the opposite sides o
lie the Rocky Mountains.
er That the government. has not been un
l. mindful OF This heretofore. is apparent from
ID the aid it has afforded, TIN ough appropria
t. tons for mail facilities and other purposes
Of But the general subject will now presen
itself under aspects more imposing an,
e, more purely national by reason Of tn
'e surveys ordered by Congress, and now il
N the process OF completion. for communi
e. cation by railway across the contnen,
ie and wholly within the limits OF the aUnite,
ul States.
of The power 10 declare war, to raise an
support armies, 10 provide and maintain
n a navy. and 10 call forth the militia TO exc
cute the laws, suppress Instructions. an,
r repel invasions, was conferred upon Con
'n gress. as means to provide for the com
We mon defence, and TO protect territory an
OF a population now widespread and vastl
ID multiplied. As incidental to and indis
r. pensabe for the exercise of this power,
r must sometimes be necessary to construe
n military roads and protect harbors of rel
I'd uge. 10 appropriations by Congress 70
d. such objects. no sound objection can b
b. raised. Happily for our country, lis peace
ful policy and rapidly increasing popula
s. ton impose upon us no urgent necessit
i'll for preparation, and leave but few track
lis less deserts between assailable points an
as patriotic people ever ready and generall
IN able to protect them. These necessar
I'd links, the enterprise and energy Of ou
c. people are steadily and boldly strugglin
es to supply. All experience af1irms tha
ed wherever private enterprise will avail. il j
id most wise for the general government t
al leave to that and individual watchfulnes
er the location and execution of all mean
,b of communication.
s. The surveys before alluded to were de
of signed to ascertain the most practicabl
n and economical route for a railroad fror
We the river Mississippi to the Pacific ocean
b, Parties are now in the field making explo
at rations, where previous examinations ha
an not supplied sufficient data, and wher
ne there was the best reason to hope the OF
ject sought might be found. The mean
ed and time being both limited, it is not to b
a. expected that all the accurate knowedg
c. desired will be obtained, but it is hope
I'd that much and important information wi
he be added to the stock previously possessed
til and that partial, ii not full reports of tn
of surveys ordered will be received, in tim
OF for transmission 10 the two Houses OF Con
gress, on or before the first Monday i
en- February next, as required by the act
,g appropriation. The magnitude of the en-
is terprise contemplated has aroused, an
he will doubtless continue to excite, yer
We general interest throughout the country
mt Ir it's political, its commercial. and its mi
e. itary bearings, it has varied. great and in
ri oroos;nr claims conSidoratiop Tx