Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-12-09

aPF"rticuIar locality may be enhanced, that, IN
ina larger amount of money may probably be
h'';d in a given time, for alternate sections, than
been realized for all the sections, without
co"u and influence of the proposed improve
the ~ prudent proprietor looks beyond limited
men's Of his domain, beyond present results, to
secJn,ate effect which particular line of policy
the 70 produce upon all his possessions and in
L" The government, which is trustee, in this
tt't for the people ofthc States is bound to take
I ',s wise and comprehensive view Prior to and
u: the last session OF Congress upwards ofthirty
d :rn7s of acres of land were withdrawn from pub
i"1 e with a view to applications for grants ofthis
IL cer pending before Congress A careful re-
ci # the whole subject led me to direct that all
b orders be abrcgatcd, and the lands restored to
stet and Instructions were Immediately given to
I, eject The applications at the last session
mated the construction Of more than five thou
W, al miles of road and grants to the amount of
~Ir 90 millions Of acres Of the public domain
m admitting the right on the part of Congress to
5,nronesonable is it quite clear that the proposed
=. ,nts would be productive Of good not evil? The
ES4.rent projects confined, for the present to
,., States of this Union, and one Territory. The
IONS assigned for the grants, show that it is pro-
,Scd 10 put the works speedily in process Of con-
f,r,,tion When We reflect, that since the COM
asnrcment of the obstruction of railways in the
Ttcd States, stimulated as they have been by the
,rr divide IDS realized from the earlier works over
tho Great horoughfares and between the most i'm
,nrfont points Of commerce and population, encour-
ard BIZ State legislation, and pressed forward by
H. amazing energy ofprivate enterprise only seven
,cn thousand miles have been completed in all the
safes in 4 quarter of century; when we see the
crpp ed condition of many works commenced and
,ec1tcd upon what were deemed to be sound
II-nriuleS and safe calculations when contem-
nIate the enormous absorption of capital withdrawn
from the ordinary channels OF business the extrava-
cant rates of interest at this moment paid to con-
+inue operations the bankruptcies not merely in
money but in character, and the inevitable effect
u.on finances generally can it he doubted that
the tendency is to r':n to excess in this matter? Is
wise to augment t!ilS excess by encouraging hopes
If sudden wealth expected to flow from magnificent
srllefncS dependent upon the action of Congress?
poes tie spirit, which has produced such results
need 10 lie stimulated checked? Is it not the
better rule 10 Lease all these works to private enter
rise regulated, ard. when expedient aided bv the
rro,tra ion Of States? If constructed by private
cari;a? the stinulant and the check go together
and furnish sautary restraint against speculative
henes and extravaganza. But it is manifest that.
will, the most effective guards, there is danger of
going too fast and TOO far.
We NAV well pause before proposition contem-
dating simultaneous movement for the construc-
lion Of rail roads, which, in extent, will equal ex-
elusive # the great Pacific road and all its branches
nearly onehird Of the entire length of such works,
TOW completed, in the United States, and which can
got c,<t, with cqarmcnt> less than hundred
and fifty millions of dollars. The dangers likely to
result from combinations Of interests of this charac
Ter can hardly be ever estimated. But, indepcn-
IDENTIFY of these considerations, where is the accu-
rate knowledge, the comprehensive intelligence,
which shall discriminate between the relative claims
Of these tvcnty-eight proposed roads. in eleven
States and enc Territory? Where will Won begin
and where end? IF to enable these companies to
execute their proposed works, it is necessary that
the aid fthe general government be primarily given,
the policy viii present problem comprehensive
in its bearings, and 50 important to political and
social well being, to claim, in anticipation, the
srvereSt ANALYSIS. Entertaining these views, recur
with satisfaction to the experience and action of the
last session Of Congress- as furnishing assurance
that the subject will not fail to elicit careful
examination and rigid scrutiny
X was intention to present, on this occasion,
some suggestions regarding internal improvements
BY the general government, which want of time at
the close Of the last session prevented my submitting
on the House of Representatives. with objections,
u the bill entitled, an act making appropriations
to the repair, preservation and completion of certain
public works heretofore commenced under authority
Of law; but the space in this communication al
ready occupied with other matter of immediate pub
lie exgcncy conSrains me to reserve that subject
for special message, which will be transmitted to
the two horses 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 gov
eminent are also much needed; but as have ad-
dressed YOU upon both Of these subjects at length
before, have only to call your attention to the sug
gestiOnS then made
Ny former recommendations in relation to suita-
bic provision for various objects of deep interest
the inhabitants Of the District of Columbia, are
neWed Many of these objects partake largely Of
national character, and important independently
OF their relation to the prosperity of the only
siderable organized community in the Union entirely
unrepresented in Congress-
nave thus presented suggestions sIch sub
ectS as appear 10 to be of particular interest
Importance and therefore most worthy of considera
ton during the short remaining period allotted to
the labors of the present Congress.
Our forcfathers of the thirteen United Colonies
IN acquiring their independence and in founding
inns Republic of the United States of America, have
GcEovcd upon u.s. their DEFENDANTS the greatest and
"e most noble trust ever committed to the hands of
man, imposing upon all, and especially such the
pubic will may have invested, for the time being,
with political functions the most sacred obligations
we nave to maintain involate the great doctrine of
'he inherent right of popular sclfgevernment; to
reconcile the largest liberty of the individual citizen
win complete security of the public order; to
oer cheerful obedience to the laws of the land to
unite IN enforcing their execution, and to frown in
mgnantly on all combinations to resist them; to
iarnon'Ze sincere and ardent devotion to the in
suhtons Of religious faith with the most universal
Iel9!oS tocratiOn; to preserve the right of all by
causing each to respect those of the other to carry
n every social improvement to the uttermost
mt Of human perfectibility, by the free action of
~ upon mind, not by the ohtruSive intervention
~ nn,Sappled force; to uphold the integrity and
S''u me limitations ofour organic law; to preserve
.eu from all tOnch of usurpation the very pal
Ia1'rm of our political salvation, the reserved pow
@ OF the several States and of the people; to CHERISH
'' loyal fealty and devoted affection, this Union,
=. .ne only sure foundation which the hopes of
w: WI noerty rest; to administer government with
"gHant integrity and rigid economy; to cultivate
PEACE and friendship with foreign nations, and to
demand and exact equal justice from ALL but to do
"'ohg 10 none; to cSchew intermeddling with the
national policy and the domestic repose of other
governments, and to repel it from our own never
-I1oVf 1nr obi fhn