The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1854-12-14

large dividends realized from The earlier
works over the great:thoroughfHes, and :bss
tween the most important points of com
merce and population, encouraged by State
legislation, aud pressed forward by the am
azing energy of private enterprise, only sew
erieen thousand miles have bse completed
10 all the States in quarer Of century,
When we see the crippled condition. of many
works commenced and prosecuted upon
what We deemed to bs sound principles, and
safe calcula,iois;-wfsan we !, contemplate
the enormous absorption OF capital with.
drawn from The ordinary channels OF busi-
ness, the extravagant rates OF interest al
this moment paid to continue operations, the
bankruptcies not merely in money, but in
character, and the inevitable effect upon
finances generalIy;-can ii tbe doubled that
the tendency is 10 run TO excess in this mat
teri Is il wise TO augment this excess by
encouraging hope of sudden wealth expect
ed 10 flow from magnificent schemes de-
pendent upon the action of Congress.
Does the spirit, which has Produced ssch
results, need to be stimulated or checksdi
Is il not the better rule 10 leave all these
works of private enterprise, regulated, and, I,
when expedeht, aited, by the cooperation
of States' II constructed by private capi
tai, the slmulant and the check go together,
and furniah a saluiary restraint against spec
ulaliye schemes aud exuayagance. Bnt il
is manifest that, with the most effective
guards, there is no danger of going too fast,
and loo far.
We may well pause before proposition
contemplating simultaneous movement
for the constructions of railroads, which; in
extent, will equal, exclusive of the great
Pacific road in all its branches, nearly one
third of the entire length of such works,
now completed, in the United States, and
which cannot cost, with equipments, less
than one Kindred and fifty millions Of
dollars. The danger likely TO result from
combinations of interests OF this character,
can hardly be over-eslimated.
But independently OF these considerations,
where is the accurate knowledge, the com.
prehensive intelligence, which shall DIS
crminate between the relative claims Of
twenty-eight proposed ro ads ip eleven States
and one Terrilorva Where will you begin,
and where end Tito enable these compa.
nies TO execute their proposed works, ii is
necessary THAI The aid Of the general govern
ment be primarily given, the policy will
mt q
bearings, and SO important 10 our political
and social well being, as to claim, in anti.
clpatcn, the severest analysis. Entertain
| ing these views, recur with the subject
will not fail 10 elicit careful re-examina-
ton and rigid scrutiny.
Itwas my intention 10 present, on this
occasion, some suggestions regarding inter-
nal improvements by The general govern
ment, which want of time at the close of
the last session prevented my submitting on
the return 10 the House OF Representatives,
with objections, of The bill entitled, "An act
mailing appropriations for The repair, preser-
vation and completion of certain WORKS
heretofore commeQced under authority OF
| law" but the sPaca in this communication
already occupied with other matter of in.
mediate public exigency conslrans me TO res
erve that subject for special message, which
will be transmitted 10 the two houses Of
Congress at an early day.
The judicial establishment of the United
States requires notification, and certain re.
forms in The manner of conducting the le.
gal business Of the government are also
much needed bur as addressed you upon
both OF these subjects at length before,
have only 10 call your attention 10 the sugges.
lions then made.
My former recommendations, in relation
TO suitable provisions for various objects OF
deep interest 10 the inhabitants of the Dis
trcl of Columbia, are renewed. Many oI
these objects panake largely of national
char acter, and are iEporiant, independently
Of their relation 70 The prosperity of The only
considerable organized community in the
Union, entirely unrepresented in Congress.
have thus presented suggestions on such
subjects as appear to me 10 be oe particular
interest or importance, and therefore mus
worthy of consideration during the shor
remaining period allotted TO the labor o
the present Congress.
Our forefathers OF The thirteen United Colnies
in acquiring their independence, and in foun
ding this Republic of The United States Of
America, have devolved uponus, ,their, ,descen.
dants: the greatest and mostn oble trust eve,
committed to ;he.hands Of man, imposing upon
all, and especially such as the public
will may have invested, for the time being
with political functions, The most sacred
obligations. We have 10 maintain inviolate
the great doctrine of the inherent right Of
popular self-soPetnmen 10 reconcile the
largest liberty q the individual citizen, with
complete security of TIE public order /; tc
render cheerful obedience 10 the laws OF the
land, 10 unite in enforcing their execution, and
10. ffown Indignantly on all combinations 10 re.
sist them /; TO harmonize sincere and ar.
deEt devotion 10 The institutions of religious
faith with the most universal religious lol.
Grafton /; 10 preserve the rights of all by eau.
sing each % respect those of The 9th.
er 10 carry forward every social improve
| ment 10 the utmost limit of human psrfects,.