Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-08-26
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THURSDAY MoRNIsc, AUGUST rs, ,sSa.


THURSDAY MORNING. AUGUST 20, 1868
THE PRESIDENT AND THE PACIFIC RAIL ROAD
The sanction OF eminent and official authority couN
not divert this journal from its opposition 10 measure 81
subversive of the essential principles Of party, as th
prolrcr of q government awuy across the continent
When tho question of The Pacific Rail Road was presented
TO the public mind did stop be assured whether m
parsonage that gave it support, whether 'he pre-
ponderance of public opinion with the affirmative OF WI
negative Of the propositions but consulting only me esi''
mate functions of the Federal Government ana 'e fauo
policy of The Democratic party, We denounced me he"s'
in direct antasonism both 10 The Constitution anu - "
principles of creed Although our auiy was e'' '
impcrave We confess we felt some concern anu c''o' "
ment al The apparent position Of tho Administrator "
spe.ch of the Secretary Of War. 10 "hch hif' "u''
seemed 10 assent, and the editorial aruces III ''' "s
tan Ei,u we're made pr,tx for arltbung 10 The Presi
d.n, an lion Pacific rail- way scheme bu
we could not believe it, Our confidence III lie consistency
of President Pierce his attachment Ia the principle o ,
psrly was against the spposo that ne was advnca
OF this project We had not forgotten his course IN Con
gress. Hs votes every question involving loose con
structiun of federal power aI especially on al propoS"s
internal improvement emphatic approval ol Tue ph
cples OF the BaliEore pa,fonin 'ruth every act ana
word of his life" stood irrecunclcac anas"nIsm 10 ms
Pacific Rail Road scheme.
The manly and ingenious character III
ia above the use of arfce and sub,eues If his opinions
on so radical and essential principle OF constitutional con-
sucun as the power u the Federal Government Ia ncor-
pnate companies had been reversed
he would not seized the occasion OF festive dinner or
huvc emuoycL the language oil Cabinet. Councillor 10
make the important announcement. He is To myse
~ and ccumIocuon. lie approaches his object by no cir
culous pahe ntters his sentiments in no cquvocai Ian
guuge When he becomes to the dogmas of frde
raism the public will be In doubt The matter With
out agency of interpreter, and in language which none
can mistake, he will his position 10 the country
President Pierce is responsible for The official language
conduct oT his Cabinet and between them and their
chief may expect entire concord OF opinion in all the
measures OF his administration. But cannot demand OF
him TO enforce perfect conformity Of opinion The sc"en
gentlemen n his Cabinet cyery conceivable question OF
public policy impose upon his shoulders the
burden of every sentiment they may utter in pnstpauia
orationo.
We do not deem necessary additional reasons
for the conclusion President Pierce does not approve
the Pacific rail road project Time only can satisfy those
who still doubt. The essnt ',M Justify oGr op.ni0"
When The Enquirer assumed its position against The con-
sruction of The Pacific railway by The Federal government
certain journals very savage very aceoHs accord
ing their humor in their comments on our course The
Ne,o YORK Herald amable and sporl;ve. II rade
ty ahs,racons put in the position of organ Of the
"virgnia School which represented to be abomnable
set Of conservative scrupuous and conscientious states
men, who viii! sacrifice principle 10 present expedency
and who sn.i.cn with nh uniashionabie affection
ior tho Constitution and State Rights. In default of srlid
argument usually have recourse I" ridcue The lie
raid argument against the power OF the Federal
government build rail road by comic carcature and
clumsy Joke But the Herald grows wise. The ridiculous
is nd
very sensible to-day. Tho following Paragraphs from lis
columns Of 23d inst illustrate. The consistency of
the Herald and indicate the source of its .htcnmen
Il mistook The position of The Presidents
On The other hand we may safely say that the buH OF
democratic party make distinction between The Pacific
rail road and other oil Internal Improvement and
the interference 9" the administration in the matter
Strict constructioniss-s for instance TIC Virginia
iemocracy-wh finger the constitution, forbid the Pre-
siden notice the enterprise By word look, deed They
place of the pale OF federal sympahics IT, they
California, why not another 10 Nebraska another to Oregon
and hall Of others, which would unquesionaby
confer tangible benefits the whole coun,ry1 Private
terpise is dead in the United States that work OF
this ma ure which could but be profitable in the end will
fail find capital for its construction among private indi.
viduas Millions will pour into the treasury OF company
which undertakes il boldly and on a solid bass.
'Much Of course will depend the policy pursued by the
administration For cur part we ARE not inclined 10 con.
srue the language OF Messrs Davis and Guthrie broadly
as many others. We cannot lind in their speeches any
Thing from which fixed resolve spend Two hun
dred and nifty millions VI te puDc money on single Wofh
of this could be inferred. Nor can we bring our
selves think that either ot these distinguished men have
allowed themselves be dcludcd into fancying that rail-
road which will require least six years 10 bud could
er be a military protection California. The government
of The United States cannot afford invest two hundred
and fifty millions in rail roads and California afford
wait years for military defences Without expressing
any opinion with regard TO the consluonaly vi The STEP
believe that, when the matter comes up.
Mr. Pierce will say he said in March last that he is Pre-
sden of the United States and not President Of rail road
will, the reports Of the several surveyors
received send them in Congress- and leave To that body
The responsibility Of lepislaling on the maller.n