Washington telegraph., 1854-12-27

hardly be over estimated. But, independently of
these considerations, where is the accurate know
ledge. 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? If to enable these companies to execute their
proposed works. it is necessary that the aid OF the
general government be primarily given the policy
Will present problem comprehensive in its bear
ings and so important to political and social
well being. to claim, in anticipation the sever
est analysis. Entertaining these views, / recur
the last session of Congress furnishing assurance
that the subject will not fail to elicit careful ex-
animation and rigid scrutiny.
1t was my intention to present on this occasion
some suggestions regarding internal impro ements
by the general government, which, for want of
time at the close of the last session prevente nv
submitting on the return to the House of Repre-
sentatives, with objections. OF the bill entitled an
act making appropriations for the repair. preserv-
alton, and completion of certain public works
heretofore commenced under authority of law'
but the space in this communication, already oc-
upied with other matter OF immediate public ex-
igency constrains me to reserve that subject for
special message, which will be transmitted to the
| two houses OF Congress at an early dav.
| 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 these subjects at length
before, have only to call your attention to the
suggestions then made.
| My former recommendation in relation to suit
able provision Cor various objects of deep interest
to the inhabitants of the District of Columbia are
renewed. Many of these objects partake largely
OF national character. and are important. inde-
pendenty OF their relation to the prosperity of the
| only considerable organized community in the
Union, entirely unrepresented in Congress.
have thus presented suggestions on such sub
jects as appear to me to be OF particular interest
or Importance. and therefore most worthy oil con-
sideration during the short remaining period all
otted to the labors of the present Congress.
Our forefathers of the thirteen United Colonies,
| in acquiring their independence, and in founding
this Republic Of the United States of America,
have devolve1 upon US, their descendants, the
| greatest and the most noble trust ever committed
to the hands of man. imposing upon all, and espec
| tally such as the public will may have invested,
for the time being, with political functions, the
most sacred obligations. We have to maintain
invioate the great doctrine Of the inherent right
OF popular selt-government; to reconcile the arg-
est liberty of the individual citizen, with complete
security of the public order; to render cheerful
obedience 10 the laws of the land; to unite in en-
forcing their execution, and TO frown Indignantly
or all combinations to resist them; to harmonze
sincere and ardent devotion to the institutions OF
religious faith with the most universal religious
toleration to preserve the rights OF all by causing
each to respect those of the other; to carry for
ward every social improvement to the uttermost
limit of human perectibility by the free action of
mind upon mind. not by the obtrusive Intervention
of misapplied force; to uphold the integrity and
guard the limitations of our organic laws to pre-
serve sacred from all touch of usurpation as the
very palladium OF our political salvations the re-
served powers of the several States and of the
people; to cherish with loyal tealty and devotion
affection to this Union, as the only sure iounda-
ton on which the hopes of civil liberty rest; to
| administer the government with vigilant integri-
| ty and rigid economy; to cultivate peace and
| friendship with foreign nations, and to demand
and exact equal justice from all. but to do wrong
to none; to eschew intermeddling with the nation
al policy and the domestic rerose of other govern
ments, and to repel it from our own. never to
| shrink from when the rights and the honor
OF the country call us to arms but to cultivate in
preference the arts of peace; seek enlargement OF
the rights OF neutrality, and elevate and liberalize
the intercourse OF nations and by such Just and
honorable means, and such only; whilst exaltns
the condition of the Republic. to assure to it the
legitimate Influence and the benign authority OF
great example amongst all the powers OF Chris
| tendon.
Under the soemnity of these convictions, the
blessings of Almighty God is earnestly invoked to
attend upon your deliberations, and upon all the
counses and acts of the government, to the end
that with common zeal and common efforts, we
may, in humble submission to the Divine will. CO.
operate for the promotion of the supreme good Of
these United States.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1854.