Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-12-13

of
IN than the magnitude of the subject and subse-
eApIt developments would seem to render proper
qusd desirable. Of the soundness of the principle
anu asserted with regard to the limitation of the
tne" of Congress, entertain no doubt; but in its
POm,ication it is not enough that the value OF lands
particular locality may be enhanced that in
il loroer amount of money may probably be
he'' in given time, for alternate sections than
have been realized for all the sections without
eV' :nnnlse and influence of the proposed improve
us ,.s prudent proprietor looks beyond limited
.;,ns of his domain, beyond present results, to
sso Ultimate effect which particular line of policy
!I clv to produce upon all his possessions and in
,erests The government, which IS trustee IN TINS
for the people ofthe States, is bound to take
m ome wise and comprehensive view. Prior tosand
M 1.-Two the last session Of Congress, upwards ofthirty
uun n;s of acres of land were withdrawn from pub
~. se with view to applications for grants ofthis
~ Nsorac,er pending before Congress careful re-
:ar Of the whole ubject led to direct that all
' orders be abrogatcd, and the lands restored to
stet. and instructions were Immediately given to
.h.t effect. The applications at the last session
..nmnated the construction of more than five thou.
I'D miles of road and grants to the amount of
Saorlv 90 millions of acres of the public domain
Eren admitting the right on the part of Congress to
io nnouesonable is it quite clear that the proposed
grants would be productive OF good, not evil? The
SsFsrpnt projects arc confined, for the present to
a,oven States of this Union, and one Territory. The
,sons assigned for the grants, show that it is pro-
,oScd to put the works speedily in process of con-
pf,rnction' When we reflect, that since the COM
nencement of the obstruction of railways in the
Tued States, stimulated as they have been by the
,,re divide IDS realized from the earlier works over
the Great thoroughares and between the most i'm
nortant points of commerce and population, encour-
sred bv State legislation, and pressed forward by
tho amazing energy of private enterprise only seven
teen thousand miles have been completed in all the
States in quarter of century; when the
rrpp ed condition of many works commenced and
nrosccued upon what were deemed to be sound
principles and safe calculations when we contem-
plate the enormous absorption of capital withdrawn
from the ordinary channels of business the extrava-
can't rates of interest at this moment paid to
tinue operations, the bankruptcies not merely in
money. but in character, and the inevitable effect
upon finances generally can it be doubted that
the tendency is to to excess in this matter? Is
twise to augment this by encouraging 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 it not the
better rule to leave all these works to private enter
prise regulated, and. when cxpcdient aided by the
cooperation of States? If constructed by private
CAPITAL the stimulant and the check go together,
and furnish salutary restraint against speculative
schemes and extravaganza. But it is manifest that,
with the most effective guards, there is danger of
going too fast and too far.
We may well pause before proposition contem-
plating a simultaneous movement for the construc-
ton of rail roads which, in extent will equal, ex-
elusive Of the great Pacific road and all its branches,
nearly onethird of the entire length of such works,
now completed in the United States. and which can
not cost, with equipments less than one 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, indepen-
IL
rate knowledge, the comprehensive intelligence
which shall discriminate between the relative claims
Of these twenty eight proposed roads. in eleven
States and cne Territory: Where will YOU begin,
and where end? If to enable these companies to
execute their proposed works, it is necessary that
the aid ofthe general government be primarily given,
the policy will present problem so comprehensive
in its bearings, and so important to our political and
social we'll being, 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 furnishing assurance
that the subject will not fail to elicit careful re-
examination and rigid scrutiny.
ltwas my 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
TO the bill entitled, an act making appropriations
to the repair preservation and completion ofcertan
public works heretofore commenced under authority
Of law but the space in this communication al
ready occupied with other matter of immediate pub
lie exgency constrains me to reserve that subiec
mra special message, which will be transmitted tc
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 gov
eminent arc 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 1oimer recommendations, in relation to Suita
ole provision for various objects of deep interest tt
Inc inhabitants of the District of Columbia, re
ne"ed. Many of these objects partake largely Of
nsohal character and are important, independently
'helr relation to the prosperity of the only con
Sueraole organized community in the Union entirely
unrepresentcd in Congress.
:: nave thus presented suggestions on such suo
ec' as appear to me to be of particular interest o
Importance, and therefore most worthy Of considera
M uon during the short remaining period allotted t
"e aoors of the present Congress.
onr forefathers of the thirteen United Colonies
IN. N acquiring their independence and in foundin,
s Republic of the United States of America, hav'
e'oVed upon us, their decendants the greatest ant
"e most noble trust committed to the hands
u an. imposing upon all and especially such as til
pIc r;n . WIN may have invested, for the time being
wu @ political functions, the most sacred obligations
ha ~ ~ MAINTAIN lnVloate the great doctrlne G
ms inherent right of popular selfgevernment; t
e.pncie the largest liberty of the individual citizen
S ,.n complete security Of the public order; to rem
@ us. cneerfu obedience to the laws of the land,
% ..e IN enforcing their execution and to frown in
bsnahty on all combinations to resist them;
s.., nohze sincere and ardent devotion to the ir
s. .eons OF religious faith with the most univers:
s,sous toeration to preserve the right of all
fsng each to respect those of the other; to carr
E..ard every social Improvement to the uttermo.
.! m OF human perfectibility, by the free action