Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-12-06

FIVE hsndred and thirty-three dollars ibe .srass..
amount Of lands sold, located under military scrip ana saS
Migrants, selected swamp lands by States and hy @
ing under grants for roads is upwards Of twenty three Mi
lions Of acres. The increase Of lands sold oyer ,ha 49,
yIons year. is about six millions Of acres, and the -
during the two hrst quarters of the year
the extraordinary result Of 1--WE and half millions SOLD III
ceeding by nearly four millions Of acres the sales ~ ~
corresponding quarters Of the last YEAR thus inc
an extent unparalleled during any like period ia our las,
history the amount Of revenue provided from this smre
for the Federal Treasury
The eommendable policy of the government in relation
to setting apart public domain for those who hav. =
their country in time of war is Illustrates BY the fact h
since 1870 no less than thirty millions Of acres have be
applied TO this object
The suggestions which submitted in nv annual m.sso
of last year. in reference grants of land IN AID Of The @
strueon OF railways, lees full and exphct than the
magnitude of the subject and subsequent eyeof,nen,s
would seem 20 render proper and desirable OF the a. ma
ness of the principle then asserted with regard to the m
aton OF the power OF Congress- entertain no doubt tnt
in It's application il is enough that the value 81 us in
particular losaity may be enhanced that in fact lar
ger amount OF money probably be received given
time for alternate sections, than could have been realised
for all the sections without the impulse influence II the
proposed improvements prudent proprietor Luks he.
You'd limited sections of his domain, beyond present re
suits to the ultimate effect which particular line Of
policy is likely to produce upon all hs possessions and
interests The which is trustee in hi, matter
Tor the people Of the States ia bound take the wise
and comprehensive view. Prior 10 and dnsi the last
session Of Congress, upwards Of thirty millions IT 4
land We're withdrawn from public sale with view to p.
cations for grants Of this character pending before en-
gress. careful review Of the whole subject led me 10
direct that all such orders be abrogaed and the lands re-
stored TO market; and instructions immediately given
20 that effect The applications the last caen
plated the construction of more than FIVE thousand ms of
road, and grants the of nearly TWEEN millions
OF acres OF the public domain Even admitting the ijpht
on the part of Congress be questionable, is il quite
clear that the proposed grants would he productive good
and not evil The different projects confined for the
PRESENT TO eleven States of this Union and Territory
The reasons assigned for the grants show that Il pro-
posed to put the works speedily process oconstetou
When we reflect that since the commencement Of the CON
srucrion of railways in the United States stimulated as
they have been by the large dividends realised from the
earlier works the great thoronghres and between
the most important points Of commerce and population
encouraged by State legislation and pressed forward by
the amazing energy of private enterprise only seventeen
thousand miles have been completed in all the States in
quarter of the crippled condition of
many works commenced and pros ecuted upon what
deemed TO be sound principles and safe calculations
when contemplate the enormous absorption OF cap
tal withdrawn from the ordinary channels of business
the exravagant Of interest this moment paid
continue operations the bankruptcies not merely in money
but in character and the inevitable effect upon finances
generay-can be doubted that the tendency
TO in this matter Is it wise to augment this excess
by encouraging hopes of sudden wealth expected to flow
from magnificent schemes dependent upon the action Of
Suits need to be stimulated checked Is 1t not the
better rule to leave all these works to private enterprise
regulated and when expedient, aided by the cooperation
of Staes If constructed by private capital the stinuant
and the check go together and furnish sautary restraint
against speculative schemes and extravaganza But it is
manifest that with the effective guards there is
danger of going too fast and too far.
We may well pause before proposition contemplatnga
Simultaneous for the construction of railroads
which, in extent will equal exclusive Of the great Pacific
road and all it's branchas nearly onethrd Of the entire
length of such works. completed in the United States
and which cannot cost with equipments less than one nun
dred and fifty millions OF dollars The dangers hkey 10
result from combinations OF interest Of this character can
hardly be estimated But independently OF these con-
sideraons where is the accurate knowledge the conpre
hensve intelligence which shall discriminate between the
relative claims Of these twentyeg proposed roads 10
eleven States and Territory Where will you begin
and where end If enable these companies execute
their proposed works necessary that the aid OF the gen
era government be primarily given, the policy will present
problem comprehensive in its bearings and impor
political and social well being to claim IN an
tcpation the severest analysis Entertaining these views
with satisfaction TO the experience and action OF the
last session of Congress- furnishing that the
subject will not fail to elicit careful denomination and
rigid scrutiny.
IL was my intention 20 present on this occasion,
suggestions regarding internal improvements by the geno
raj government which of time the close of the last
session prevented submitting the return 20 the House
of Representatives with objections of the bill entitled an
completion of certain publ works heretofore commenced
under authority of law" but the space in this commnica
ton already occupied with other matter Of immediate public
exigency consrans that subject for special
message which will be- transmitted TO the houses OF
Congress ut early day
The judicial establishment of the United States requires
notification and certain reforms in the Of conduct
ng the legal business of the government also much
needed but have addressed you upon both OF these
subjects at length before have only 10 call your attention
o the suggestions then made.
Nv former recommendations in relation suitable pro-
son for various obectso deep interest TO the inhabitants
,f the District of Columbia are renewed Many 81 these
objects partake largely of national character and are
important independently of their relation to the prosperity
# the only considerable organized community in the Union
entirely unrepresented in Congress
have thus presented suggestions such subjects as
appear 10 me to be of particular interest Importance
md therefore worthy Of consideration during the .hor
remaining period allotted to the abors Of the present Con
yress.
Our forefahers of the thirteen United Colonies in ae
mring their independence aud in founding this Republic
If the United States of America, have devolved upon u.s.
heir the greatest and the most noble trust
ever committed to the hands of man. imposing upon all
and especially such the public will may have invested
for the time being with political functions the most sacred
obligations We have maintain invioate the great doc
true OF the inherent right Of popular sefgoyernmen 70
reconcile the largest liberty of the individual citizen WIN
complete security OF the public orders to render chee~
obedience % the laws of the land 70 unite 10 mchs
their execution and frown Indignantly on all comeha
tons 10 resist them; 20 harmonic sincere aud aioen
devotion 10 the institutions Of religious faith with the %
universal religious federation "a preserve the rights " az
by causing each to respect those of the other; -
fnrward every social improvement the uttermost %
human periectibty, BY the free action Of nina uR
mind not By the obtrusye Intervention oil misaPP ~.
force; TO uphold the integrity and guard the hauv b
of our organic law TO preserve sacred from " ,;;l
Of usurpation, as the very palladium of our political
salvation the reserved powers of the se'era oa ANA
and the of people TO cherish, with Loyal leaH,! nd.