The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-12-14

by grants of land or of money, or both. urds, =
conditions and restrictions would secure the tue"
portaton of troops and munitions of war free
charge, and that of the United States mail at reasoDy
BILE price. S'
The progress of the event since the Commence
your last session, has shown how difficulties J
pear before a firm and determined resolution A. Sup
time, such q road was deemed by wise and no,,;.a'
men, to be a visionary project The great distance nc
be overcome, and the intervening mountains and dso.
in the way, were obstacles which, in the onino
many could not be surmounted. Now after the r OF
of but single year, these Obstacles it has been d,pe
cred, are less formidable than they suppoSsS
be- and mail stages, with passengers, pass md
pass regularly, twice in each week, by a common w.
road between San Francisco and St. Louis and MS Oa
phis, in less than twenty-five days. The service h
been regularly performed, as it was, in former ye'
between New York and this city. '
Whilst dscaiming all authority to appropriate mon
for the construction of this road except that dor
from the war-making power of the constitution tb.
are important collateral considerations urging US n
dertake the work speedily possible ~
The first and most momentous of these is, that spcb
road would be powerful bond of union between ba
States east and west of the Rocky mountains Tb;
is so self-evident as to require no illustration.
But again in commercial point of view, | consiao
this the great question of the day. With the caste
front of republic stretched along the Atlantic ma
its western front along the Pacific if all parts sLon
be united by safe, easy, and rapid inercommunicao
we must necessarily command a very large propor,i
of the trade both of Europe and Asia Our recsn
treaties with China and japan will open these rich and
populouS empires to commerce; and the history ~
the world proves that the nation which has gained no.
session of the trade with Eastern Asia has ALWAYS M
come wealthy and powerful. The peculiar geocranM
cal position of California and Pacific possession,
invites American capital and enterprise into this Gu
full field. To reap the rich harvest, however it is an
indispensable prerequisite, that We shall first have
railroad convey and circulate its products hrough
out every portion of the Union. Besides, such rail
road through our temperate latitude, which would nat
be impeded by the frosts and SHOWS of the winter nor
by the tropical heats of summer would attract itself
much of the travel and trade of all nations passing be-
tween Europe and Asia.
1.-THE President rccounts the circumstances attending
the reshipment to Liberia of the Africans captured BY
U. S. vessel from ship engaged in the slave trade
and states that he made arrangements with the Col
onizaton Society for taking charge of those persons at
$50 per head.
cannot conclude without performing the agreeable
duty of expressing my qualification that Congress so
kindly responded to the recommendation of my last an
nual message by aording sufficient time before the
close of their late session. for the examination oa the
bills presented for approval This change in the
practice of Congress has proved to be wholesome
form. 1t exerted beneficial influence the ansac.
ton ofegisatve business, and ELECTED the general ap.
probation of the country 1t enabled Congress to ad
journ with that dignity and deliberation becoming
the representatives of this great republic without
having crowded into general appropriation bills prOvs
ions foreign their nature and of doubtful constu-
tonality and expediency. Let me warmly and strong
ly commend this precedent, established by themselves
guide to their proceedings during the present ses
sion. JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON CRY, December 6, 1858.