Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-12-13

out IN Its application II Is not enough that TN
value of land in a particular locality may b.
enhanced; that, in fact, larger amount o
money may probably be received, in givel
time, for alternate sections, than could hay,
been realized for all the sections, without tn,
impulse and influence of the proposed improve
ments. A prudent proprietor looks beyont
limited sections of his domain, beyond presen
results, to the ultimate effect which a particular
line of policy is likely to produce upon all hi.
possessions and interests The government
which is truste, in this NATTER for the people o.
the States, is bound to take the same wise anl
comprehensive view Prior to and during the
last session of Congress, upwards of thirty mil
lions of acres of land were Withdrawn from
public sale with view to applications for grant:
Of this character pending before Congress.
careful review of the whole subject led me tc
direct that all such orders be abrogated and the
| lands restored TO market, and Instructions were
Immediately given to that effect. The applica
! tions at the last session contemplated the con-
struction of more than FIVE thousand miles .o
road, and grants TO the amount Of nearly twenty
millions Of acres Of the public domain. Even
admitting the right on the part Of Congress to
be unquestionable, is it quite clear that the pro.
posed grants would be productive Of good, and
not evil The different projects are confined
for the present, to eleven States of the Union
and one Territory The reasons assingned fol
the grants, show that it is proposed to put the
works speedily in process of construction. When
we reflect that since the commencement OF the
| construction of railways in the United States
stimulated as they have been by The large divi
dends realized from the earlier works over the
great thoroughfares, and between the most i'm.
portant points of commerce and population, en-,
coufaged by State legislation, and pressed for
wardby the amazing energy of private enterprise
only seventeen thousand miles have been CON-
pleied in all the States in quarter Of a century
when we see the crippled condition Of many
works commenced and prosecuted upon what
were deemed to be sound principles, and safe
calculations when We contemplate the enor-
nous absorption of capital, Withdrawn from the
ordinary channels of business, the extravagant
rates of interest at this moment paid to continue
operations, the bankruptcies not merely in mon-
! ey, but in character, and the inevitable effect
upon finances generally can it be doubted that
the tendency is to run to excess in this matter
Is it wise to augment this excess by encouraging
hopes Of sudden wealth expected to flow from
magnificent schemes dependant upon the action
of Congress! Does the spirit, which has pro-
duced such results, need TO be stimulated OF
checked! Is it not the better rule to leave all
these works TO private enterprise regulated, and,
when expedient, aided, by the cooperation Of
States? If constructed by private capital, the
stimulent and the check go together, and furnish
4 salutary. restraint against speculative schemes
and exlrsuagance. But it is manifest thai. with
the most effective guards, there is danger of 60
ing too fast and too far.
We may well pause before 4 proposition con-
templating 4 simultaneous movement for the
construction Of railroads, which, in extent, will
equal, exclusive of the great Pacific road and all
lis branches, nearly one-thrd 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 combi-
nations Of interests of this character can hardly
be over estimated. But, independently OF these
considerations, where is the accurate knowledge,
the comprehensive intelligence, which shall dis
crminate between the relative claims Of these
twenty-eight proposed roads, in eleven States
and one Territory! Where will you begin, ana
where end II 80 enable these companies to
exccute their proposed worka, ID is necessary
that the aid Of tho general government be pri-
nariy given, the policy will present problem
so comprehensive in its bearings, and so impor-
tant to our political and social well-being, as TO
claim, in anticipation, the severest analysis. En-
terlaining 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-e1ami,
nation and rigid scrutiny.
intended to present, on this occasion,
some suggestions regarding internal improve
ment by the general government which Want of
time at the close of the last session prevented.
my submitting to the House Of Representatives
with objections, of the bill entitled AN act max
ing appropriations for the repair, preservation
and completion of certain public works hereto-
fore commenced under authority of law" but
the space in this communication already occupied
with other matter OF immediate public eXigency
constrains me to reserve that subject for spe-
cial message, 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 but rs
have addressed you upon both of these subjects
at length before, have only to call your atten-
tion to the suggestions then made.
My former recommendation, in relation to
suitable provision for various objects of deep
interest to the inhabitants Of the District of Co.
umbia, are renewed Many of these objects
partake largely Of national character, and are
important, indepently of their relation to the
prosperity Of the only considerable organized
community in the Union entirely represented in
Congress-
have thus presented suggestions on such
subjects as appear to mo to be of particular in
terest or Importance, and therefore most worthy
OF consideration during the short remaining Pc
riod allotted to the labors Of the present Con-
gress.
Our forefatllers of the thirteen United Colo
nies, in acquiring their independence, and in
founding this Republic of the United States of
America, have devolved upon us, their descen-
dants, the greatest and the most noble trust ever
committed to the hands of man, imposing upon
all, and especially such as the public will may
have invested, for the time being, with political
functions, the most sacred obligations We have
to maintain invoate the great doctrine of the
inherent right of popular self-government to
reconcile the largest liberty of The individual
citizen with complete security of the public or.
der; to render cheerful obedience to the laws of
the land, to unite in enforcing their execution
and to frown Indignantly on all combinations to
resist them to harmonic sincere and ardent
devotion to the institutions of religious faith
with the most universal religious toleration to
preserve the rights of oil by causing each to
respect those of the other /; to carry forward
every social. improvement to the uttermost limit
of human perfectbility, by the free action OF
mil md h..
ton OF misapped force to uphold the integrity
| oud ri tb,, l;,n;tof;op, of our nruanic law