Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-03
Spirit Of the Morning Press.

Spirit Of the Morning Press.
The Republic comes to us with a desul-
tory essay upon the commercial evils of
war, from which the editor draws the
conclusion that the balance of Europe
will permit Russia to work her will on
Turkey; or that at least they will parti-
cipate in the war, no further than to
cripple the transmarine commerce of the
Car. -.. .....
The Intelligsneer contains letter origi-
nally published in the New York Express,
upon the fisheries question; and letter
from some gentleman disappointed in OBJ
tanning an office under the last admins
tration, in which he lugubriously details
his efforts to obtain place, and his many
unreasonable disappointments.
The Union publishes "by authority"
edition of the now famous speech of Sec
rotary Davis on the Pacific Railroad pro-
ject. The Union also joins issue with the
Richmond Enquirer, the veteran organ of
the Virginia strict constructionists, upon
the Pacific Railroad question, arguing
strenuously in behalf Of the propriety of
the construction of the proposed road by
the Government. In the course of this
controversy the Enquirer states it's posi-
ton rs follows:
80" We lay down the general proposition that
any such work can never be cCnstitutiOnally
constructed by the General Government for
military purpose, unless the Immediate urgen-
cies Of actual war require its use for the trans
portstion Of troops before individual or State
enterprise can have time to construct it,
This the Union denies upon grounds
which we have before quoted from that
journal.
THE En9nir>r further says: The plea of
necessity urged in favor of making this great
work nm enterprise for the Federal Govern
ment is not valid. 1t undertakes the enter
prise Of the country"
To this the Union rejoins: saying
"We maintain that the private or municipal
enterprise of the country ia inadequate to the
4,
necessary. The EuqHirer insists that the
road can be built by individual and municipal
enterprise. If our opinion is the true one.
then We infer that the Enquirer yields that
the plea Of necessity is valid. 1t appears,
then that the real iii ference between US is rs
to the application of the principle. We are
disposed to cOncede that so far az Missouri,
and Texas, and California are concerned, pri-
waite enterprise would carry the road through
1cl no
that the intervening link Of fifteen hundred
miles would be filled up. That concession
only strengthens our postiOn-it relieves us
from any question as to State jurisdiction, and
presents the question of power rs applicable
alone to the territorial line of fifteen hundred
miles. The facts sdduced by the Enquirer as
to the success Of private enterprise in the
seem to US to furnish no guarantee for the sue
cess Of the Pacific road, il left alone to that
means of success. But this is branch of the
inquiry which will well deserve consideration
when Congress engages in investigating the
best plan of afording aid. We have already
spoken of this as an open question. 1t may
be found best to invite private enterprise into
the work by proper aid or inducements; but
that private enterprise, without Government
aid, cannot accomplish the work as to fur
nish to the Pacific States efectual protection,
seems to US too clear to require further re-
mark.
I'VE areconstrained to say that We discover
more force in the objections to the Pacific
road, az a Government measure, based upon
g. the consequences of so large an expenditure
and the dangers of extravaganza, peculatiOn,
and gambling upon public money, which are
% graphically described These are legiti
mate and insurmOuntable objections to a gen
ersl system Of internal improvements by The
Federal Government, and such as ought to for
bid its adoption, even if the constitutional
power was clear But we must think that the
Euqntrrr greatly magnifies them when urged
az objections to the Pacific road"
The Clipper rejoices over the Unions
position on the Pacific Railroad question,
heralding it, of course, as indicative OF the
position in which the administration will
be found at the opening Of the next Con-
gress. at. .-.aat a.t r.
The Sun still continues the Blind
Johnny" discussion with which its col
umns have occasionally teemed for some
time passed.