The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-12-23

10 the constitution, and faithfully 10 exc.
cute the powers !, confers. Il
Within this limit and 10 the extent OF
the interest Of the government involved,
II would seem both cxpedicnt aud proper
IL an economical and practicable route
shall be found, 10 aid, by all conslltu'
Iional means, in the construction OF
road, which will unite, by speedy transit,
the populations OF the Pacific and Allan
tic States.
To guard against misconception, 1t
should be remarked that, although the
power 10 construct, or aid in The con-
slsucliou Of, road within The limits 0!
territory is not embarrassed BY that qucs-
iiou of jurisdiction which would arise
within the limits Of State, il is never
.heless held 10 be Of doubtful power, and
more than doubtful proprie,y, even within
the limits Of territory, for the general
government 10 undertake TO administer
ihe affairs Of railroad, canal, OF other
similar construction, and therefore TINT
i,s connexion with work Of this charac-
ter should be incidental rather than phi
mary. Twill only add, at present, that,
fully apprecia,ing the magnitude OF the
subject, and solicrous that the Atlantic
and Pacific shores Of the republic may lie
bound together BY inseparable ties OF
common interest, as we'll as OF common
feal,y and attachment TO The Union, ]
shall be disposed, SO far as my own action
is concerned, TO follow The lights Of the
constitution, ns expounded and illustrated
by those, whose opinions and exposiions
constitute the standard Of my political
faith in regard to the powers of the
federal government, II is, ] trust, not
necessary 10 say, that no grandeur OF
enterprise, and no present urgent induce.
meni promising popular favor, will lead
me TO disregard those lighis, or 10 depar,
from that path, which experience has
proved 10 be safe, and which is now
radiant with the glow Of prosperity and
legitimate constitutional progress. We
can afford TO wait, but we cannot afford
10 overlook the ark ofo security.
II is no part Of my purpose TO give
prominence TO any subject, which may
properly be regaided as Sc, al les, by the
deliberate judgment of the people. But
while the present is bright with promise
and the future full Of demand and ndnce'
menl for The exercise of active Inie'il'
genee, The past can never be wlIhou
useful lessons Of admoniiion and ns'ruc'
,ion. If its dangers serve not as beacons
they will evidently fail 10 fulfil the objec
of wise design. When The grave shal
have closed over all, who are how endea'
voring to meet The obligations of duty
the year 1850 will be recurred to IS
period filled with anxious apprehension
A successful war has just terminated
Peace Lfough, with il a vast augmentation
Of territory. Disturbing questions arose
bearing upon the domestic institutions o
one portion Of the confederacy, and in
voIving the constitutional rights Of th'
States. But notwithstanding difference
OF opinion and sentiment, which the'
existed in relation 10 details and specifi'
provisions, the acquiscence of dls'ln
guished citizens, whose devotion TO tn
Union can never be doubted, has givel
renewed yigor 10 our institutions, an'
restored sense Of repose and security Il
the public mind throughout the COME
deracy. That this repose 's 10 suffer nj
shock during my Official ielm, if hav'
power to avert it, those who placed MI
here NAV be assured. The wisdom o
men, who knew what independence cost
who had put all at stake upon th
issue OF the revolutionary struggle, c,-dis
posed Of The subject 10 which refer, il
the only way consistent with the unio'
OF these States, and with the march o
power and prosperity which hVs made u
what We are. II is a significant fact, tim
from the adoption Of The consli,ulio
un,il tho officers and soldiers Of th
,evo!uiion bad passed 10 their graves, o
through the in6rmities Of age and wounds
and ceased TO participate actively in Put
lie aff.irs, there was moi melelya a quo
acouiesence in, bu, a prompt vndicatio
of, The constitutional rights of the States
The reserved powers were scrupulous
-
respected.
No statesman Put forth the narro
views OF casuists TO justify inIerferene
and agitation, but the spirit o! The con
pact was regarded as sacred in the eye
honor and Indispensable for the gre
experiment Of civil liberty, which, enV
roned by inheren, difficulties was y
borne forward in apparent weakness by
power superior 10 all obstacles. The
Is no condemnation, which the voice I
freedom will not pronounce upon !
should we prove faithless 10 this gre
trust. While men inhabting differe'
paris Of this vast continent can no moi
be expected 10 hold the same opinion
or entertain the same sentiments, tba
every variety Of climate or soil can b
expected 10 furnish !la same agriculture
products, they can unite in a commo
object and sustain common principle
easen,;al 10 the maintenance of that OF
lec.. The gallant men ofthe South an
-. No.,L oou,,l stand tupether durIn