Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1853-12-19
roonc1rprp rRoM rlssr PAGE. !

and more especially such as appertaln
10 the condition of those great divisions
Of the Union, which lie on the opposite
side of the Rocky Mountains. That
the Government has not been unmlndinl
of this heretofore, is apparent from the
aid it has afforded 10 appropriations Tor
mail facilities and other purposes but
the general subject will now present
itself underan aspect more imposing and
purely national by each OF the surveys
ordered by Congress and now in the
process of completion for communica-
ton by Railroad across the Continent
and within the limits Of the United
States, The power to declare war and
TO raise and support the army, to pro-
vide and maintain navy, and to call
out the Militia TO execute The laws
suppress instruction and repel inva-
sion, was conferred upon Congress as q
means to provide for the common defense
and to protect the population, now wide
spread and vastly multiplied. As Incl
dents indispensable to the exercise of
this power, it must be necessary to con-
struct military roads and protect har-
bors of refuge. To appropriations by
Congress for such objects, no sound OBJ
jections can be raised. Happily for our
country its peaceful and rapidly increas-
ing population, impose upon US no ur-
gent duty for preparation and leaves the
few trackless deserts between assaila-
bic points and a patriotic people ever
ready and generally able to protect
themselves. The enterprise and energy
of our people are steadily and boldly
struggling TO supply the rest. All ex-
perience afirms that where private en-
terprize will avail, it is most wise for the
General Government TO leave to that iu-
dividual watchfulness the location and
execution Of all means of communica-
ton. The surveys alluded to were de-
signed to ascertain the most practicable
and economical route for railroad from
the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. -
Parties are now in the field, making ex-
plorations where previous examinations
had not supplied sufficient data, and
where there was the best reason to hope
the object sought, might be gained
The means being almost limited, it is
not to be expected that all the accurate
knowledge will be obtained, but it is to
be hoped that much and important in
formation will be- added to the stock
previously possessed, and that partial, if
not full reports will be received in time
for transmission to the House on or be-
fore the lst Monday in February next,
as required by the act Of appropriation.
The magnitude of the enterprise has a.
reused and will doubtless continue to ex-
cite veay general interest throughout
the country. In its political, its COM
mercial and its military bearings, it has
very great and increasing claims to con-
sidera.ion.
=. Inc heavy expense, the great delay, and at
umes fatality attending travel by either of the
islh1nus routes, have demonstrated the advan-
RACES Which would result from interior com.
mmunlcation by such S afe and rapid means as
neiIroad would supply The difficulties which
nave been encountered, it appears would be
magnlhed and still further increased in time of
war; nut whilst the endorsements already
encountered, and others under new contingent
cles to be anticipated may seem strikinglv to |
exhibit the Importance of such work, neither |
these,nor all considerations combined can have I
an appreciable value, when weighed against |
the obligation strictly to adhere to the Con-
stltution and faithfully to execute the powers
within the limits and to the extent of the INFER
ests OF the government involved 1t would
seem both eXpedient and proper, Ii an econ
omical and practical route shall be found, to
aid bv all Constitutional means In the prosecu-
ton of road which will unite by speedy tran
sit the population of the Pacific and Atlantic
States.
To guard against misconstruction, it should
h bale LA.
and In the construction of road within the IL
rnits of State, it is nevertheless held TO be a
doubtful power, and of more than doubtful
propriety even within the limits of a Terrific
ry, for the General government to undertake to
administer the affair of Railroad or Canal,
or other similar construction, and therefore its
connection with work of this character sho'J
DC incidental rather than primary. Apprecia-
ting the magnitude of the subject, and solicit
ing that the Atlantic and Pacific shores of the
republic may be bound together by insepara-
Die ties OF common interest, as we'll as of COM
mon tealty and attachment to the Union,
shall be disposed, so far as my own action is
concerned, to follow the light of the Constitu-
uon as eXpounded and illustrated by those
whose opinions and expositions constitute the
standard of my political faith.
in regard 10 the powers Of The Federal IN.
Nefnment, 1t is not necessary to add that no
grandeur OF enterprise, presenting urgent in
JUDGEMENTS, or promising popular favor. will
lead me to disregard these tights, or to depart
IRON that position which experience has pro.
we'd TO be safe, and which is now ra;ient with
me glow OF prosperity and legitimate constitu
tonal progress We can afford to wait. but
we cannot afford TO overlook the ark of orr
own security. Ii is no part Of my purpose n
revive any subjects which may be regarded as
set at rest by the deliberate Judgment of Inc
People, bat while The present is fraugbt with
promise, and The future is full of demands and
lndncement for the exercise of active inteIl
Eehce The past can never be without usefulness
OF admomton and instruction. If its lessons
serve not as beacons they will evidently fail 10
Iulh'i the object OF wise design When the
grave shall have closed over all who are now
ehdeavoring 10 meet the obligations of DUTY.
ne year 1888 Will be REQUIRED to as nerod
n'ed with anxious apprehensions. A success
tnl war has just Terminated, and neace brought
win IT vast augmentation of territory: dis
iuroing questions arose, bearing upon the de-
mocEatic institutions of one portion of its con-
tederacy and involving the constitutional rirhts
oi ire States, but notwithstanding differences
o. OPINION and sentiment which then existed
10 feiauon to details and specific provisions.
me acquiescence Of distinguished citizens
Nhose devotion to The Union can never he
aouo'ed, has given renewed visor to our insti
tu1ohs and restored sense of repose and Sc
cuTliy to the public mind throughout the CON
federaey. That this repose is to suffer no
shock, during my official term, if | have now