The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-12-13


third of the entire length of such works,
now completed, in the United States, and
WHICH cannot cost, with equipments, less
than one Hundred and fifty millions of dol
lars. The dangers likely to result from
combinations of interests Of this character,
can ,rdly b. over estimated. But, inde-
pendently OF these considerations, whereas
the accurate Knowledge, the comprehensive
intelligence which shall discriminate be-
tween the relative claims of these twenty
eight proposed roads i'm eleven States and
one Territory ! Where will you begin, and
where end Ii to enable these companies
to execute their proposed works, 1t Is ne
cessary that the aid Of the General Govern
ment be primarily given, the policy will pre-
sent problem so comprehensive in its bear
ings, and so important to our political and
social well being, rs TO claim, in anticipa-
tion, the sevcrcst analysis Entertaining
these views, recur with satisfaction 80 ;.h;.
experience aud action Of the last session of
Congress, as furnishing assurance that the
subject will not fail 10 elicit careful re-
examination and rigid scrutiny.
1t was my intention to present, on this
ocsasion, some suggestions regarding inter-
nal improvements by the General Govern
mrnt, which wNnt of time ut the close OF
the last session prevented my submitting on
the return to the House of Representatives.
with obi bjections, of the bill entitled, san act
nnking appropriations for the repair, preser-
vation and completion OF certain public
works heretofore commenced under authori
ty OF law" hut the space in this communl-
cation already occupied with other matter
of immediate public exitency constrains
me TO reserve that subject for special mes
sage, which will be transmitted to the two
Houses Of Congress at an early day.
The judicial establishment of the United
States requires modification, and certain
reforms in the manner of conducting the
legal business of the government are also
much needed; bnt rs have addressed you
upon both Of these subjects at length b.
fore, have only to call your attention to
the suggestions then made.
My former recommendations, in relation
to suitable provision for various objects of
deep interest To- the inhabitants of the Dis
trict of Columbia, are renewed. Many of
these objects partake largely of n national
character, and are important, Independently
of their relation to the prosperity of the
only considerable organized community in
the Union, entirely unreprescnted in Con-
gr?ss.
have thus presented suggestions on such
subjects rs appear to me to be OF particular
interest or importance, and therefore most
worthy VI consideration during the short
remaining period allotted to the hbors OF
the present Congress.
Our fOrefathers of the thirteen United
Colonies, in acquiring their independence,
and in founding this Republic Of the Uni.
ted States of America, have devolved upon
us, their descen iants, the greatest and the
most noble trust ever committed to the
hands of MN, imposing upon all, and es-
pecitly such rs the public will may have
invested for the time being, with political
functions, the most sacred obligations. We
have to m:intrin inviolate the great doe
trinc of the Inherent right Of popular self
government /: To reconcile the largest libcr-
ty of the individual citizen, with complete
security Of the public order; TO iendcr
cheerful obedivhce to The laws of the land
to unite in enforcing their execution, and to
resist them to % haruon%S,zssl nS sll combinations to
dent devotion to the institutions of religious
faith. with the most universal religious tole-
ration ; to preserve the rights of all by
causing each TO respect those Of the other
to carry forward every social improvement
to the uttermcst limit Of human perfecli
mind, not by the obtrusve Intervention oi
misapplied force to uphold the integrity
and guard the limitations Of our organic
law; to preserve sacred from all touch OF
usurpation, nv the very palladium of our po
litical salvation, the reserved powers Of the
several States and of the people, to cherish
with loyal fralty and devoted affection, this
Union, rs the only surc foundation on which
the hopes of civil liberty rest to adminis
ter government with vigilant integrity and
rigid economy ; to cultivate peace and friend
ship with foreign nations, and 20 demand
and exact equal justice from all, but to dc
| wrong to none to eschew intermeddiina
with the national policy and the domestic
rspose Of other governments, and TO repe
1t from our own /; never to shrink from wal
when the rights and the honor of the coun
try calls us TO arms, but to cultivate in pre-
frcnce the arts of peace, seek enlargement
OF the rights Of neutrality, and elevate and
liberalize the intercourse Of nations and
| by such just and honorable means, and such
only. whilst exalting the condition Of the
Republic to assure TO it the legitimate inAu
ence and the benign authority Of great ex
ample amongst all the powers Of Christen
| dom
Under the solempity Of these conyictions
the blessing Of Almighty God is earnestl,
invoked to attend upon your deliberations
and upon all the counsels and acts Of the
government, TO the end that, with common
zeal and common efforts. we may, in humbl,
Submission to the Divine will, co.operat,
for the promotion of the supreme good oI
these Unit, States.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, Dec. 4, 1854.