, 1854-02-18

To appropriations by Congress for such OBJ
iects, no sound objection can be raised
+ Happily for the country its peaceful poll
cy and rapidly increasing population i'm
nose upon us no urgent necessity for prepa-
ton, and leave but few tracklcss deserts
between aSsailable points and a patriotic
people ever ready and generally able to
f protect them. These necessary links, the
enterprise and energy Of our people are
steadily and boldly struggling to supply
All experience atfirms that wherever pri-
vate enterprise will avail, it is most wise
for the general government to leave to that
and individual watchfulncsS the location
| and execution of all means Of cOmmunica-
, tion.
The surveys before alluded to were de-
f signed to ascertain the most practicable
f and economical route for railroad from
the river Mississippi to the Pacific ocean.
Parties are now in the field making eXplo-
rations, where previous examination had
not supplied sufficient data, and where
, there was the best reason tq hope the OBJ
, iect sought might be found The means
and time being both limited it is not to be
expected that all the accuEate knowledge
desired will be obtained, but it is hoped
that much and important Information will
t be added to the stock prefNusly possessed,
: and that partial, if not fIi NJ reports of the
: surveys ordered will be received in time for
: transmission to the two Houses of Con-
gress, on or befOre~the first Monday in
: February next, ds required by the act Of
appropriation. The magnitude of the en-
: tefprise contemplated has aroused, and will
E doubtless continue to excite, very general
: interest throughout the country. In its
r political, its commercial, and its military
e bearings it has varied, great and increasing
e claims to consideration. The heavy eX-
$ pense, the great delay, and, at times, IA
C tality attending travel by either of the
+ isthmus routes, have demonstrated the ad-
t vantage which would result from intcrterri-
S torial communication by such safe and rap
e id means as railroad would supply.
: These difficulties which have been en-.
: cOuntered in a period Of peace, would be
y magnifed and still further increased in time
] of war. But whilst the embarrassment
b already encountered, and others under new
: contingencies to be anticipated, may serve
strikingly to exhibit the Importance of such
, work, neither these, nor all considera.
: tions combined, can have an appreciablc
e value, when weighed against the obligation
r strictly to adhere to the constitution, and
S faithfully to execute the powers it coniers
: Within this limit, and to the extent Of the
: interest Of the government involved, il
e would seem both expedient and proper, il
e an economical and practicable route shall
0 be found, to aid, by all constitutional
e means, in the construction of a road, which
S will unite, by speedy transit, the pOpula.
tions Of the Pacific and Atlantic States.
Toguard against misconceptiOn, it should
; be remarked that, although the power tC
y construct, or aid in the construction, Of a
| road within the limits of d territory is not
r embarrassed by that question of jurisdic
e ton which would arise within the limits Of
a State, it is nevertheless held to he OI
, doubtful power, and more than doubtful
+ propriety, even within the limits Of terri
+ tory, for the general government to under
o take to administer the affairs Of railroad
r canal, or other similar construction, and
Q therefore that its connexion with work o.
f this character should be incidentical rather
: than primary / will only add at present
that, fully appreciating the magnitude o.
e the subject and solicitous that the Allan
e tic and Pacific shores of the republic may
; be bound together by inseparable ties o.
$ common interest, as well as of common fe.
atty and attachment to the Union, l shall
+ be disposed, so far as my own action i.
= concerned, to follow the lights of the con
y stitution, as expounded and illustrated by
y those whose opinions and expositions con
stitute the Standard Of my political faith il
y regard to the powers Of the federal gov
q ernment 1t is, l trust, not necessary tC
+ say, that no grandeur Of enterprise, and nc
q present urgent indueement promising pop
: ular favor, will lead me to disregard those
t lights, or to depart from that path which
t experience has proved to be safe, and which
; is now radiant with the glow Of prosperity
+ and legitimate constitutional progress.-
j We can afford to wait, but we cannot Of
1 ford to overlook the ark Of our security.
1t is no part Of my purpose to give prom
inence to any subject which may properly
: be regarded as set at rest by the deliberate
r Judgment of the people. But while the
t present is bright with promise, and the fu,
e ture full of demand and inducement for TIN
exercise of activity and intelligence, the
}, past can never be without. useful lessons Of
admonition and instruction. If It's dangers
e serve not as beacons, they will evidently
: fail to fulfil the object of wise design
e When the grave shall have closed over all
t who are now endeavoring to meet the obi
y cations Of duty, the year 1850 will be re
T Cured to as q period filed with anxious
i apprehension. A successful war had jusl
= terminated. Peace brought with it vast
e augmentation of territory. Disturbing