Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1853-12-15


reconsideration of the question, with hope
that, animated by desire to promote the
permanent and substantial interests OF the
country, your wisdom may prove equal to
the task of dcyisng and maturing plan,
which, applied to this subject may promise
something better than constant strife, the
suspension of the powers Of local enterprise,
the exciting of vain hopes, and the dlsap-
pointmcnt of cherished expectations.
In expanding the appropriations made by
the last congress, several cases have arisen
in relation to works for the improvement Of
harbors, which involve questions as to the
right of soil and jurisdiction, and have threat
cncd conflict between the authority OF the
state aud general governments. The right
to construct brcnkwGtcr, jetty, or dam,
would seem, necessarily, TO carry with it the
power to protect and preserve such construc-
tons. This can only be eRcctu0ly done by
having jurisdiction over the soil But no
clause Of the constitution is found on which
to rest the claim of the United States to en-
ercsc jurisdiction over the soil Of State,
except that conferred by the eighth section
of the first Article of the constitution. 1t is,
then submitted, WHETHER in all cases where
constructions are to be erected by the gen
cr0l government, the right Of soil should not
first be obtained, and Legislative provision be
made to cover all such cases.
For the progress made in the construction
of roads within the territories, as provided
for in the appropriations Of the last congress,
refer you to the report Of the Secretary OF
War.
There is one subject of domestic nature,
which, from its intrinsic Importance, and the
many interesting questions Of future policy
which it involves, cannot fail to receive your
early attention. aIlude to the means OF
communication, by which different parts OF
the wide cXp0nse Of our country are to be
placed in closer connection for purposes both
of defence and commercial intercourse, and
more especially such as appcrtaln to the
communication Of those great divisions of the
Union which lie Oh the opposite side of the
Rocky Mountains.
That the government has not been I'M
mindful Of this heretofore, is apparent from
the aid it has afforded, through appropriate
lions for mail facilities and other purposes
But the general subject will now present it.
self under aspects more imposing and more
purely national, by reason Of the surveys
ordered by congress, and now in the process
Of completion, for communication BY railway
across the continent, and wholly within the
limits of the United States.
The power to declare war, to raise and
support armies, to provide and maintain a
navy, and to call forth the militia to execute
the laws, suppress Instructions, and repeI
inyasions, was conferred upon congress, as
means to provide for the common defence,
and TO protect a territory and population
now widespread and vastly multiplied. As
incidental to and indispensable for the cxer-
else OF this power, it must sometimes be nee
cssary to construct military roads and pro-
tcct harbors of refuge. TO appropriations
by congress for such objects, no sound OBJ
.jcctions can be raised. Happily for ouI
country, its peaceful policy and rapidly in
creasIng population impose upon US no ur-
gent necessity for preparation, and leave but
few tracklcss deserts between assailabc
points and patriotic people ever ready and
generally able TO protect them. These nee
essary links, the enterprise and energy Of
o"r people urc steadily aud boldly struggling
to supply All experience aliirms that
wherever private enterprise will avail, it is
most wise tor the general government to
leave to that and individual watchtuIness the
location and execution Of all means of com
munCatIon,
The surveys before alluded to were de-
signed to ascertain the most practicable and
economical route for railroad from the riv-
cr Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. Parties
arc now in the field making explorations
where previous examinations had not sup
piled sufficient data, and where there was
the best reason TO hope the object sought
might be found, The means and time being
both limited, it is not to be expected that all
the accurate knowledge desired will be OBJ
tanned, but it is hoped that much and impor-
tant information will be added to the stock
previously possessed, and that partial if not
full reports Of the surveys ordered will be
received, in time for transmission to the two
houses Of congress, on or before the first
Monday in February next, as required by
the act OF appropriation. The magnitude Of
the enterprise contemplated has aroused, and
Will doubtless continue to excite, very gen
cra interest throughout the country. In its
political, its commercial and its military
bearings, it has varied, great, and increasing
claims to consideration. The heavy expense,
the great delay, and, at times, fatality at
tending travel by either olthe Isthmus routes,
have demonstrated the advantage which
would result from ntcltcrritoral comnunica-
ton by such safe and rapid means as a rail-
road would supply.
These difficulties, which have been en-
coumtered in a period of peace, would be
magniied and still further increased in time
of war. But whilst the embarrassmcnts al
ready encountered and others under new
contingencies to be anticipated, may serve
strIItlngIy to exhibit the importance of such a
work, neither these, nor all considerations
combined, can have an apprecabIe value,
when weighed against the obligation strictly
II,