Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-08

between the most important points of
commerce and population. encouraged
by State Legislation. and. pressed for
ward by the amazing energy Of pri-
yate enterprise, only seventeen thou
sand miles have been completed in all
the States in q quarter of centuary;
when we see the crippled condition of
many works commenced and prosecu-
ted upon what were deemed to he
sound principles, and safe calculations;
when we contemplate the enormous
absorption Of capital withdrawn from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 money
but in character, and the inevitable
effect upon finances generally; can IL
be doubted that the tendency is to run
to excess in this matter2 Is it wise to
augment this excess by encouraging
hopes Of sudden wealth expected TO
How from magnificent schemes de-
pendent upon the action Of Congress?
Does the spirit. which has produced
such results. need TO be stimulated or
checked? Is il not the better rule TO
leave all these works 10 private enter
prise, regulated, and when expedient.
aided, by the cooperation Of States +?
IL constructed by private capital, the
stimulant aud the check 90 together,
and furnish salutary restraint against
speculative schemes and extravaganza.
But Il is manifest that, with the most
effective guards, there is danger Of go
ing too fast and too far. We may
we'll pause before n proposition con-
templating n simultaneous movement
for the construction Of railroads. which
in extent will. equal, exclusive Of the
great Pacific road and all its branch
os, nearly one third OF the entire length
Of such works. now completed, in the
United States, and which cannot cost,
with equipments. less than one hum
dred and fifty millions Of dollars
The dangers likely TO result from COM
binalions Of interests OF this charac-
ter, can hardly be over estimated
But independently Of these conside-
rat;ons, whereas the accurate knowl-
edge, 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? II to enable these
companies TO execute their proposed
T works, il is necessary that the aid of
the general government be primarily
! given. the policy will present prob
lem so comprehensive in It's bearings,
: and so important TO our political and
social well being, as 10 claim, in an
tisipation. the seyerest analysis. En-
tertaining these views. recur with
satisfaction to the experience and &C
ton of the last session of Congress.
~ furnishing assurance that the sub
iect will not fail TO elicit careful re-
: examination and rigid scrutiny.
II was my intention to present, on
:his occasion, some suggestions regar-
ding internal improvements by tho
general government. which want Of
time ut the close of the last session,
prevented my submitting on the return
to the House Of Representatives. with
objections, of the bill entitled, can act
making appropriations for the repair,
preservation and completion OF certain
public works heretofore commenced
under authority of law but the
space in this communication already
occupied with other matter Of imme-
date public exigcncy, constrains me
to reserve that subject for special
message, which will be transmitted TO
the two houses Of Congress atnn 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 as | have addressed you upon
both of these subjects at length before,
| have only to call your attention to
the suggestions then made.
My former recommendations in re-
lation to suitable provision for various
objects of deep interest to the inhabit-
ants Of the District of Columbia, are
renewed. Many of these objects par
take largely Of national character,
and are important. independent of their
relation to the prosperity of the only
considerable organized community in
the Union, entirely unrepresenied in
Congress.
l have thus presented suggestions
on such subjects rs appear to me to be
Of particular interest or Importance,
and therefore most worthy Of consid-
erations during the short remaining
: period allotted to the labors of the
present Congress.
Our forefalhers of the thirteen Uni
: ted Colonies, in acquiring their indie
? pendence and in founding this Repub-
lie Of the United States of America,
have devolved upon us. their descend
ants, the greatest and most noble trust
ever committed to the hands OF man,
: imposing upon all and especially those
that the public have invested for the
/, time being, with political functions, the
! most sacred obligations. We have to
4 maintain inviolaie the great doctrine o.
: the inherent right of popular self gov
eminent; to reconcile the largest lib.
, erly Of the individual citizen. with
e complete security of the public order
to render cheerful obedience to the
: laws Of the land, to unite in enforcing
r their execution. and to frownindignant
. llv on all combinations Ia resist thcm