Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-05

20 take the same wiso and comprehensive view
Prior 70 and daring the last session 81 ColgrcsI,
upwards Of thirty millions Of acres OF land were
withdrawn from public sale with view 10 ami.
Gallons Tor grants Of lhis character pending b.I,
Congress A careful review oflhe whoIe suljeri
led me 10 direct that all such orders be abrogaied
and the lands restored 70 market; and instructions
were Immediately given 10 that effect. The ap.
plications al the last session contemplated the
construction Of more than Eve thousand miles Of
road, and grants 20 the amount OF nearly twenty
millions 81 acres OF the public domain. Even adj
hitting the right on the part Of Congress 10 be un-
questionable, Is il quite clear that the proposed
grants would be productive Of good, aud not eyils
The different projects are confined. for the pres
ent, 10 eleven States ofthis Union. and one Terri
tory. + ~ N
Tho reasons assigned for the grs.,s, show ,ba,
i Is proposed to put the works ypeedly n process
OF construction When we reject, thai sinc, ,hs
commencement fthe construction Of railways ~
the United States, stimulated as they have hem
by the large dividends realized from The earlier
works over the great ihoroughfares, and between
lation, encouraged by State legislaiion ana prlss
ed forward by tho amazing energy Of private en-.
terprze, only Seventeen thousa nj miles have heen
completed in all the States in a uuarrer ~ cen.
tury--when we sec the crippled condition Of
.usy works commenced aud prosecuted upon
wnat were ueemed 10 be sound principles and
SAFE co .culations--when we contemplate The enor-
'n' as absorption Of capital withdrawn from the
ordinary channels of business the exfravaeant
rates Of interest at this moment paid 10 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 10 run to excess In this matter? Is IL
wise 10 augment this excess by encouraging hopes
Of sudden wealth expected TO flow from magnif-
cent schemes dependent upon the action OF Con-
gress? Does the spirit which has produced such
results, need to be stimulated or checked? IL il
not the better rule 10 leave all these works 10
private enterprise, regulated, and when expe-
dent aided BY the cooperation Of States? III con-
structed by private capital the stimulant and the
check go together and furnish sautary 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 con-
iempating simultaneous movement for the con
strnction of railroads., which, in extent, will
equal, exclusive Of the great Pacific road and all
It's branches, nearly onethird 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 dollars
The dangers likely TO result from combinations of
interest Of this character hardly be over es,i-
mated. But, independently Of these considera-
tons, where is the accurate knowledge, the CON-
prehensive intelligence, which shall discriminate
between the relative claims of these twenty eight
proposed roads, in eleven States and one Terri.
toryf Where viii you begin and where end?
II 10 enable these companies 10 execute their pro-
posed works, IL is necessary that the aid OF the
general government be primarily given, the policy
will present problem so comprehensive in its
bearings, and SO important TO our political and
social weil-being, as TO claim, in anticipation the
severest analysis. Entertaining these views, re-
cur with satisfaction 10 the experience and action
OF the last session Of Congress, as furnishing
surance that the subject will not fail 10 elicit a
careful REORGANIZATION and rigid scrutiny
IL was my intention 10 present. on this occasion.
some suggestlors regarding internal improve
ments by the general government, which want of
time at the-close OF the last session prevented nv
submitting on the return 10 the HOUSE of Repre-
sentatIves, with objections, ofthe bill entitled aan
act making appropriations for the repair preser-
vauon, and completion of certain public works
heretofore commenced under authority OF law !"
but the space in this communication already oc
cupied with other matter of immediate public evil
gency constrains me TO reserve that subject for a
special message, which will transmitted 10 thetwo
houses or Congress at an early day e 1851
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 on both Of these subjects M length
before, have only to call your attention 10 the
suggestions then made. itf7lT17 -
MY former recommendations in relation 10 suSf-
able provision for various objects Of dean in,ets,
10 the inhabitants OF the District OF Columbia are
renewed. Many Of those objects partake largely
Of national character, and are important. i1de-
Pendenuy o. the,r relation 10 the prosperity of the
only considerable organized community ia the
Union, entirely unrepresenied in Congress.
have thus presented suggestions on such .ph-
Jects as appear 10 me 70 be Of particular interest
or Importance, and therefore most worthy Of con-
sloeIsuch curing me short remaining period allot-
TED 70 me Iabors OF the present Congress-
Our forefathers Of the thirtexn Upited Colonies
70 acquiring their Independence, and in founding
this Republic ofthe United States or Americs.
have devolved upon as, their descendants. The
e1cstest ana inc mos, noble trust ever committed
20 me nands OF man, imposing upon all, and espe-
ciaiiy such as the public will may have invested
Ior ihe ume being, with political functions, the
most sacred obligations. We have 10 maintain
inyiolaie the great doctrine or the Inherent right
~ Popuar set-government; toreconcie the largest
liberty OF The individual citizen, with complete
security Of The public order to render cheerful
OBEDIENCE TO the laws Of the land, 10 unite in fore
lng ther execution, and 10 frown ndiencntly ON
~ combinations 10 resist them; TO hs1monize
slheerc ano ardent devotion 10 the institutions of
reigous faith With the most universal religious
liberation; 10 preserve the right Of ali by causing
each 10 respect those or the other: 10 carry for.
ward every social improve ment 10 the uttefmost
limit OF human Perfectibsdfy, by the free action OF
,s ,'no upon MIND, not oy the obtrusive inferven-
ton Of misspplied force to uphold the integrity
and guard the Limitations Of our organic law; 10
preserve sacred from all touch OF usurpation a.
me very palladium Of our political salvation the
'eServed powers Of The several States and of
the people; TO cherish, with loyal fealfy and
devoted affection, this Union, as the only sure
foundation on which the hopes Of civil liberty resi-;
10 administer government with vieiant integrity
and rigid economy 10 cultivate peace and friend
ship with foreign nations, and TO demand equal
justice from all, but 10 do wrong TO none 10 es-
chew iniermeddling with the national policy ana
the domestic repose OF other governments, and TO
repel u rom our own; never 10 shrink from war
when the rights and the honor OF the country cali
Ne 10 arms, but 10 cultivate in preference the arts
OF peace, seek enlargement Of the rights Of peu-
trany, and elevate and hberalize The inferc~urso
OF nations and by such just and honorable means,
and such only, whilst exalting the condition OF the
Republic, 10 assure 10 Il the legitimate influence
and The benign authority Of great example
amongst all the powers ofChr,fendom
Under the ,soemnity ofthese convictions, the
blessings Of Almighty God is earnestly invoked
10 attend npon your deliberations, and upon ell
the counsels and acts Of the government, 10 tho
end that, with common zeal and common efforts,
we may, in humble submission TO the Divine will,
Tor The promotion ofihe supreme good
FRANKLIN PIERCE.