The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-12-13

Congress. A careful review of the
whole subject led me to direct that all
such orders be abrogated, and the lands
: restored to market; and instructions
were Immediately given to tina effect
The applications at the last session con-
templated the construction of more than
five thousand miles of road, and grants
to the amount of nearly twenty millions
OF acres of the public domain.
Even admitting the right Oh the part of
congress to be unquestiOnable, it is quite
clear that the proposed grants would be
productive of good and rot evil: The diff
ferent project are confined, for the grants
show that it is proposed to PCT the works
speedily In process of construction.
is 1t wise to augment this excess by en-
couraging hopes of Sudden wealth expected
to flow from magnificent schemes dependent
upon the action of Congress? Does the
spirit. which has produced such results need
to be stimulated or checked? Is not the
better rule to leave all these works to pr-
vate enterprise, regulated, and, when eXpc
dent, aided by the cooperation of States
If constructed by private capital, the slim
ulant and the check go together, and fur
n'sh salutary restraint against speculative
schemes and extravaganza. But it is man
ifcst that, with the most effective guards
there is danger of going too fast and too
far
When reflect that since the commencement Of
the construction Of railways in the United States,
stimulated as they have been by the large dividends
realized from the earlier works the great thor
oushares, and betw the most impo, tant points of
commerce and population, encouraged by State egis-
ation, and pressed forward by the amazing energy Of
private enterprise, only seventeen thousand miles
have been completed in all the States in quarter of
a century when see the crippled condition of
many works commenced and prosecuted upon hat
deemed to be sound principles, and safe ca!c;-
ations when We contemplate the emo, nous absori
ton of capital withdrawn from the ordinary channels
OF business, the exavagant rates OF interest at this
moment paid TO continue operations, the bankruptcies
not merely in money but in character and the inevS
table effect upon finances genesaly-can it be doubt
cd that the tendency to run TO excess in this mat
ter!
We may we'll pause before PROPOSE
ton contemplating simultaneous move
ment for the construction Of railroads,
which, in extent will equal, exclusive Of
the great Pacific road, and all its branch
es, nearly onc-third of the entire length
of such works, now contemplated in the
United States, and which cannot cost,
with equipments, less than one hundred
and fifty millions Of dollars. The dan
gers likely to result from combination
of interests of this character can hard
ly be over estimated. But independent
y of these considerations, where is the
accurate knowledge, the comprehensive
intelligence, which shall discriminate
between the relative claims of these
twenty-eight proposed roads in eleven
States and one Territory? Where will
you begin, and where end? If to ena-
BILE these companies to execute their
proposed works, it is necessary that the
aid of the general government be pri-
marily given, the policy will present a
problem so comprehensive in its bear
ings, and so important to our political
and social well-being,s as to claim
in anticipation, the severest analysis.
Entertaining these views, | recur with
satisfaction to the experience and action
of the last session of Congress, as fur
nishing assurance that the subject will
not fail to elicit a careful re-examination
duO fITlu scrutiny.
1t my intention to present. this occasion,
some suggc stons regarding internal improvements by
the general government, which want of time at the
close of the last ecsson prevented nv submitting on
the return House of Representatives, which OBJ
ecionS of the bill entitled "An act making appropri-
atons for the repair preservation and completion of
certain public works heretofore commenced under au
thOrity of law' but the space in this communication
already occupied with other matter of immediate pub
lie eXgenCy Consrans to reserve that subject for
special message, which will be transmitted the two
Houses of Congress at an early day
The juiical establishment of the United States re-
auires modicat ion and certain forms in the manner
of conducting the legal business OF the government are
also needed; but have addressed You upon both
of these subjects at length before have only to call at
tenti0n to the suggestions then ma de-
My former recommendations, in relation
to suitable provision for various objects of
deep interest to the inhabitants of the Dis
trict of Columbia, and renewed. Many of
| these objects partake largely Of a national
character, and are important, independently
of Their relation to the prosperity of the
only considerable organized community in
the Union, entirely unpresented in Con-
gress.
have thus presented suggestions on such
subjects as appear to me to be OF partlcu-
lar intrestS or Importance, and therefore
most worthy of consideration, during the
short remaining period allotted to the labOrs
of the resent Congress.
Our forefathers of the thirteen United Colon es is
acquiring their independence, and in founding thin
Republic of the United States of America, have de-
VOWED upon their descendants, the greatest and
noble trust committed to the hands of man,
| imposing upon all, and especially such the public
will may have invested for the time being with pO
ltcal functions, the most sacred obligations.
We have to maintain nviolate the great doctrine OF
the inherent right of popular sclfgovernmen to
cile the largest liberty OF the individual citizen with com
plee security oi the public TO render cheerful obedience
10 the laws # the land to unite in entOrcirg their
ton, and to frown Indignantly all combination to
si>t them to harmonic sincere and ardent de, oton to
the institutions of religious faith with the most universal
religious liberation the rights If all by
ing each to those of the other to forward
every social imroNemen TO the uttermOst limit OF human