Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-12-15

consideration this important subject,
which. in my judgement, demands the
speedy action of Congress. 1t will pre-
sent to you. If deemed desira BILE, a plan
the enlargement and modification Of the
present judicial system.
/ The act of Congress establishing the
Smithsonian Institution, provided that the
Z President OF the United States, and 9th
er persons therein designated. should con-
stitute an blishment by that name.
and that the me mbers should hod stated
and special meetings for the supervision
of the affairs of the Institution. The or
ganiza ton not having taken place 1T see m
ed to me proper that it should be effected
without delay. This has been done. and an
occasion was thereby presented for in
speeding the condition of the Institution,
and approaching its successful progress
thus far, and its high promise of great
and general usefulness.
! l have emitted 20 ask your favora BILE
conside Grafton for the estimate Of work Of
local character in 81 of the 81 Sta ties.
amounting to one million seven hundred
and fifty four thousand five hundred dol
lars. because. independently of the grounds
which have so often been urged against
the application of the federal revenue for
works of this character. inequality with
consequent injustice is inherent in the
nature of the proposition. and because
the plan has proved entirely inadequate
TO the accomplishment of the objects
sought.
The subject Of internal Improvements.
claiming alike the interests and good will
of all. has. nevertheless, been the bas is
of much political discussion. and has
stood as deep craven line Of division be-
tween statesmen Of ability and patriotism.
The rule if strict construction Of all pow
efs delegated by the States to the general
government has arrayed itself from time
to time: against the rapid progress of ex-
penditureS from the national treasury on
works of local character within the
States.
Memorable as an epoch in the history
! of this subject is the message of President
Jackson. of the 9th of May. 1890. which
met the system of internal improvements
in its comparative infancy; but SO rapid
| had been its growth, that the projected
appropriations in that year for works of
/ this character had risen TO the alarming
amount of more than one hundred million
dollars.
| Ia that message the President admitted
the difficulty of bringing back the opera
tions of the government to the construc-
! ton of the constitution Set up in 179S,
and marked il as an admonitory proof Of
the necessity of guarding that instrument!
with sleepless vigilance against the au-
sanction of its most plainly defined pow
ers.
! Our government exists under a written
compact between sovereign States, unit
! ing for specific objects. and with specific
grants to their general agent. If, then,
! in the progress of its administration
there have been departures from the terms
and intent OF the compact. it is, and will
| ever be, proper TO refer back to the fixed
standard which our fathers left US. and TO
make stern effort TO conform our action
TO it. 1t would seem that the fact Of prin,
ciple having been resisted from the first
by many Of the wisest and most patriotic
men of the republic, and policy having
provoked constant strife, without arriving
at conclusion which can be regarded as
satisfactory to lis most earnest advocates.
should suggest the inquiry whether there
may not be plan likely to be crowned
by happier results. Without perceiving
ANY sound distinction, or intending to
assert any principle as opposed TO i'm
provements upon the seaboard for the
protection OF internal commerce, which
does not equally apply to improvements
upon the seaboard for the protection Of
foreign commerce. ] submit to you.
whether II may MOI be safely antici pa ted
that, il the policy were once settled a.
gainst appropriations by the general gov
eminent for local Improvements for the
benef fit Of commerce, localities requiring
expenditures would not. by modes and
means clearly Legitimate and proper.
raise The fund necessary for such con-
struction as the safety or other interests
of their commerce might require.
III that can be regarded as a 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 settled policy-which
though it has produced some works of con-
ceded importance. has been attended
with an expenditure quite disprofor,ion
ate 10 their value, and has resulted in
squandering large sums upon objects
which have answered no valuable purpose
the interests of all States require it to
be abandoned. unless hopes may be in
dulged for the future which find no war
rant in the past.
With an anxious desire for the compile