Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-12-08

tnat AL me accarate knowiedge desired will be OBJ
tanned but II IS hoped that much and ino-sart IN
formation win be added 10 the stock nrevin, NJ ,,s
sessed and that partial il MOI fun reports az ~ sur
veys oriefs4 viii be receised IN tine e. ,rars,,is
sion to the Two houses Of Congress. on 81 bere the
Isl Menaa9 IN February next as required BIZ The
prise contemplated has aroused. ana viii do.ftIess H
continue % excite very general interest thronvh-
out me country. In its political its commercial,
and inc military bearings 1t has varied great and
and increasing claims TO consideration. The heavy
expense the great delay, and attimes fatally aften-
ding ~ either Of the ishmus routes have denonstra
ted the advantage which would result from nterer
rltorial communication bg such safe and rapid means
a railroad would supply.
These difficulties which have been eneor n tcrei IN al
period Of peace would be magnihed and sti farhers
increased in time Of war But whilst the eratarrass
menfs already encountered and Others under mes.
contingencies 70 be anticipated may serve strikiagl
TO exhbitthe importance fsuch work neither these
nor all considerations combined can hare On appre-
cable value. when weighed against The Obligation
sIien! . aonefe 70 we constitution and fiithfall
To- execp.e the powsfs II eonrs Within this limit
and to the extent Of the interest Of the government
involved, it would seem both expedient aud proper
If an economical and practical route shall be found
TO aid by all constitutional means in the coustrsc
ton of road which will unite by the speedy tran.
Sit the population Of the Pacific and Atlantic States
To guard against misconeeption ii should be rt-
marked that although the power 10 construct or aid
in the construction ola road within the limits Of
territory is not embarrassed byha. question ofiari
dicton witch would arise within the limits o Stata
it Is nevertheless held TO be of doubtful power ana
more than doubtful proprety, even within the linz
its Of territory ofthe general government 10 UNDER
take 70 administer the afIairs ofa railroad canal
other similar construction and therefore that It's
Connection: with a work Of this character should hh
incidental rather than primary will only add
al present that fally Approaching the magnitude
Of the subject and SOLICITORS that the Atlantic ana
Pacific shores of the republic may be bound togethe
by inseparahe ties Of common interest as well as d
common fealty and attachment BY the Union, snail
be disposed so far as nay own action is concerned
to follow the lights Of the constitution expound
ed and illustrated by those, whose operations and
expostons constitute the standard of the political
faith in regard to the powers OF the federal govern
ment 1t is trust, not necessary TO say, that no
grandeur Of enterprise and present urgent induc
ment promising popular favor, viii lead me to dis
regard these lights, TO depart from that path,
which experience has provided 10 be safe and which
is radiant with the glow of prosperity and Il
gitmaie constitutional progress. We caul afford 10
want but We cannot afford to overlook the srk pr
our security.
It is no part of my purpose to give prominence 10
any subject which may properly be regarded asa
set at rcst by the deliberate judgement ofthe people,
But while the present is bright with promise, and
the future full Of demand and irdgcemsnt for the e
ereise Of active intelligence the past can not lie
without useful lessons fadmonition and Instruction
its dangers serve not as beacous. they will eylelt
ly fail 10 fulfil the object Of wise design. When
the grave shall have closed over all Who are loT O.
deavorng to meet the ol!gation Of dGty, the ycar
1850 iii be reegrrcd to as period flied with art
.ous apprehension 4 successful war had just tor
minated Peace brought with il a vas augmenta,
ton ofterritory Disturbing questions arose bear
ing upon the domestic institution Of enc portongof
1 the confederaev, and invoking the constitutional
rights of the Stats But notwithstanding diii&r-
-
in relation to details and specific provisions the Ae
Quescenee Of distinguished citizens whose devotion
to the Union can never be doubted il has given re-
newed vigor to or institutions, and restored sense
of repose aud security to the public mind through
/ out the eonlederacy.
That this repose is to suffer no shock during NV
official term, il have power to avert it those who
1 placed me here may lie assured The wisdom Of
men, who knew what independence cost-who had
put all at stake upon the Issue Of the revolutionary
/ strgggle-disposed OF the subject to which refer
in the only way consistent with the anon Of these
States and with the march of power and psosftHity
| which has made us what are. Ii is u significant
fact that from the adoption of the constitution gBt
the officers and soldiers of the revolution had PASTEL
10 their graves or through the inhrmtie of age and
wounds had ceased to participate actively in rahc
affairs there not merely quiet acqinescenFein
bnt prompt yndieaton Of the constitutional rights
! of the States.
The reserved powers were scrapulonsly respected,
No statesman put forth the narrow views Of clsHsts
to Justify interference and agitation hat the shri
Of the compact regarded sacred in the eye of
honor and Indispensable for the great experiment
of civil liberty, which, enyironed by enherent Diff
entities was vet borne forward in apparent weak
by power superior to all obstacles. There is
no condemnation, which the voice OF freedom will
not pronounce upon us should We nreve faithles 10
this great trust while inAabiting iarent phrts
4 of this vast continent can no .nore be expected TO
hold the same opinions OF entertain the same sent-
ments than ever variety Of climate or soil caa be
expected furnish the agricultural products,
.,iey can unite in object and sustain cpm-
principles essential to the maintenance Of that
object. The gallant of the south and the nSrth
could stand together durng the struggle or the lfeY
olution they could stand together in the more Try
ing period which succeeded the clangor Of arms
As their united yaor was adequate 10 all the Htri-
ais Of the camp and dangers ef4the field. 50 their
united wisdom proved equal 10 sthe greater task Of
founding upon deep and broad basis, insttu-
tons which it has been privilege to enjoyE and
viii ever be most sacred duty 10 sastaia II IS
but the feeble expression Of faith strong and hn-
yersal 10 say that their sons whose blood hinsled
50 often upon the same field, during the war oflBl2
| ana VINO have more recentlrhorne in triumph fhc
flag OF the country upon foreign soil, will mayer
permit alienation Of feeling to awaken the powd Of
their united efforts internal dissentions 10 para
I'VE tie great of freedom uplifted for the riId-
cation Of sef-government
! haeesthus briefly presented such suggestions rs
seem 10 me especially worthy of your consideration
in pro -iding for the present You can hardly fail to
/ avail yourselves Of The light which The experience
of the past casts upon the future.
! The growth OF our population has now brought
US, in the destined career o. our natonl hisor9 to
point at which it well tehoof.s rs to expand pur
vision over the vast prospective.
/ The successive deeeanial returns Of the census
since the adoption of the constitution havGrc-
Z yealed law Of stea,-. progressive developenhnt,
which may lie stated In general terms rs 4 dqpli-
cation every quarter ceatury Carried forward
from the point already reached for only short pc
riod Of time applicable 10 the existence Of alma
ton, this law OF progress, if unchecked, viii bling
US to almost incredible results
= large allowance for diminished proportional
effect Of emigration would not very materially re-
auce the estimate while the increased averare8du-
ration Of human life, known to have already resalt-
ell from the scientific and hygienic improvements
ofthe past fifty years will tend to keep By through
the next fifty, or perhaps hundred, the same ratio
Of growth which has been thus revealed in our bast
pFzress and TO the influence of these causes Hay
be added the influx Of abering classes from eastern
Asia 10 the Pacific side Of possessions together
with the proahie accession of the populations already
existing in other parts Of our hemisphere, which,
within the period in question, will feel with yearly,
increasing force, the natural attraction of so fast
powerful, and prosperous a Confederation Of self
governing republics, and will seek the PRIVILEGE Of
being; admitted within its safe and happy boSom
transferring with themselves, by a peaceful and
healthy process Of incorporation, spacious regions
Of virgin and exhuberant soil which are destined to
swarm with the fast-growing and hst-spreading
millions Of our race.
These considerations seem fully 10 justify the
presumption that The law Of population above sta
ted will continue to act with undi1ninished effect
through at least the next half century; and that
thousands Of persons who have already arrived at
maturity and are now exercising the rights Of fIce