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

refer you to the appropriate reports, and
especially urge upon your early attention
the apparently slight, but really important,
notifications of existing laws therein sug-
gested.
The liberal spirit which has so long
marked the action of Congress in relation
to the District OF Columbia will, have no
doubt. continue to be manifested.
The erection Of an asylum for the insane
of the District of Columbia, and Of the ar
my and navy of the United States, has
been somewhat retarded, by the great de-
mand for materials and labor during the
past summer; but full preparation for the
reception OF patients. before the return of
another winter, is anticipated; and there is
the best reason TO believe, from the plan
, and contemplated arrangements which
have been devised, with the experience fur
, nished within the last few years in relation
to the nature and treatment OF the disease
that it will prove an asylum indeed to this
most helpless and afflicted class Of suffer
ers, and stand as a noble monument Of
: wisdom and mercy.
Under the acts of Congress of August
: 81, 1852, and of March 3. 1858, designed
to secure for the cities OF Washington and
: Georgetown an abundant supply Of good
, and wholesome water, ii became my duty
10 examine the report and plans o! the en-
. gineer who had charge Of the surveys un-
/ der the act first named. The best, if not
: the only plan, calculated TO secure perma-
/, nently the object sought was that which
e contemplates taking the water from the
t Great Falls Of the Potomac, and. conse.
, quently, gave to i, my approval.
q For the progress and present condition
of this important work. and for its de.
: mands, so far as appropriations are con-
n cerned, refer you to the report of the Sec
# retary of War.
o The present judicial sy stem oflhe United
e States has now been in operation for sc
y long period o! time, and has in its gen
o eral theory and much Of its details, be
5 come so familiar to the country, and &C
it quired so entirely the public confidence
that if modified in any respect, it shoulo
1 only be in those particulars which ma,
r adapt il TO the incre ased extent, population
% and legal business Of the United States.
IS In this relation. the organization Of th
y courts is now confessedly inadequate t,
l. the duties to be performed by them; i,
:, consequence of which the States Of Flori
s, ia. Wisconsin, Iowa. Texas and Califor
'p MIA, and districts of other States. are in ell
l. feet excluded from the full benefits of tn
o! general system. by the functions OF the cir
cult court being devoved on the distrc
b. judges i'll all those States or parts OF States
III The spirit of the constitution and a du
I'd regard 10 justice require that all the State
= of the Union should be placed on the sam
e. footing in regard to the judicial tribunal;
I'd | therefore commend to your considerato
rs this important subject, which, in my jnde
nj ment. demands the speedy action OF Cor
ne gress. will present to you, if deeme
r. desirable. q plan. which am prepared I
$; recommend for the enlargement and moo
j., ifcaiion ofsihe present Judicial system.
The act of Congress establishing lh
s. Smithsonian Institution. provided that til
th President of the United States. and o.ht
ch persons therein designated. should const
b tute an establishment by that name. all
At that the members should hold special NEE
B. ings for the supervision of the affairs
the institution.
OF The organization not having taken p1sc
b. it seemed to me proper shat it should |
IS: effected without delay. This has bee
nd done; and an occasion was thereby PR
60 sented for inspecting the condition of Il
IS. Institution, and approaching its successf
RI. progress thus far. and lis high promise
n, great and general usefulness.
n Ihave omitted 10 ask your favorable col
sideration for The estimates of works of
he local character in twenty seven OF the thi
IS iy-one States. amounting 10 one millio
IA seven hundred and iuy-four thousand e.
m hundred dollars. because independently
d the grounds which have so often bee
,e, urged against the application OF the lede
TO al revenue for works of this characte
O, inequality with consequent injustice is il
nd because the plan has proved entirely ina
nd equate TO the accomplishment Of the o
as jecis sought.
The subject of internal Improvement
fly claiming alike the interest and good W
ri. of all, has, nevertheless, been the bas
ed Of much political discussion, and hi
he stood as deep craven line of divisio
in between statesmen OF eminent ability ar
IN patriotism. The rule OF strict constru
er. ton of all powers delegated by the Stat
1s. to the general government has arraye
rts ITSELF from time to time, against the rap
progress Of expenditures from the nation
,rs treasury on works Of a local charact
es- within the States. Memorable as an epot
'ry in the history of this subject is the me
sage of President Jackson. of the 9th
The May, 1880, which met the system Of il
ed ternal improvements in its comparati
he infancy; but so rapid had been its growt
3D. that the projected appropriations in tn
OF year for works Of this character had rist
he to the alarming amount Of more than OIL
IN hundred millions OF dollars.
,ly In that message the President admittt
i'd the difficulty of bringing back the oper
yer tions of the government to the constru
lb ton OF the constitution setup in 1898. ar
marked it as an admonitory proof of Il
nd necessity of guarding that instrument wi
for sleepless vigilance against the authority
on precedents, which had not the sanction
tn its mos, plainly defined powers.
lu Our government exists under write
ib compact between sovereign States. unitir
an for specific objects, and with specific gran