The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-12-16

CONCLUDED from Sd page.
1 would call your attention to the
construction of the Pacific Railroad.
lime and reflection have but served to
confirm me in the truth and Justice of
the observations which + made on this
subject in my last annual message, to
which l beg leave respectfullyto refer
1t Is freely admitted that it would
be expedient for this government to ex
ercise the power of constructing the
Pacific Railroad by its own immediate
agents. Such policy would increase
thepatronage of the executive to dan
gerous extent, and introduce system of
jobbing and corruption which no vigi-
lanceo the part of federal officials could
either prevent or detect. This can only
be done by the keen eye, land active and
careful supervision, of individual and
private interest. The construction Of
this road ought, therefore, to be COM
mitted to companies incorporated by
the States, or other agencies whose pc
cuniary interests would be directly in
volved. Congress might then assist
them in the work by grants of land or
OF money, or both,- under such condi-
tons and restrictions as would secure
the transportation of troops and NUM-
tons of war free from any charge, and
that of the United States mail at fair
and reasonable price.
The progress of events since the
commencement of your last session,
has shown how soon difficulties disap-
pear before firm, determined resolu-
ton. At that time such q road was
deemed by wise and patriotic men to be
visionary project. The great distance
to be overcome, and the intervening
mountains and deserts in the way, were
obstacles which, in the opinions of many
could not be surmounted. Now, after
the lapse of but single year, these OBJ
stacles, it has been discovered, are far
less formidable than they were sup
posed to be; and mail stages, with pas
sengers, now pass and repass regularly
twice in each, week.. by common
road between San Francisco and st.
louis and Memphis, in less than twen-
ty-fve days. The service has been reg
ularly performed as it was in former
years between New York and this city.
Whilst disclaiming all authority to
appropriate money for the construction
Of this road, except that derived from
the war making power of the constitu-
ton, there are important collateral con-
siderations urging us to undertake the
work as speedily as possible.
The first and most momentous of
these is, that such road would be a
powerful bond of union between the
States east and west of the Rocky
Mountains. This is so selfevident as
to require no illustration.
But again, in commercial point OF
view, 1 consider this the great question
of the day. With the eastern front OF
our Republic stretching along the At
lantic, and its western front along the
Pacific, if all the parts should be united
by safe, easy; and rapid communica-
ton, we must necessarily command a
very large portion of the trade both
from Europe and Asia. Our recent
treaties with China and Japan will
open these rich and populous empires
to our commerce; and the history of
the world proves that the nation which
has gained possession of trade with
Eastern Asia has always become
wealthy and powerful. The peculiar
geographical position of California and
our Pacific possessions, invites Ameri-
can capitaland enterprise into this fruit
full field. To reap the rich harvest, how
sver, it is an indispensable prerequisite,
that we shall first have railroad, to
convey and circulate its products
throughout every portion of the Union.
Besides such railroad through our
temperate latitude, which would not be
impeded by the frosts and SHOWS OF
winter, nor by the tropical heats of sum-
mer, would attract to- itself much Of
the travel and trade of all nations pas
sing between Europe and Asia.
On the 21st of August last, Lieut.. J.
n. Maffit of the United States brig Dol
phin, captured the SLAYER Echo, form
erly the Putnam of New Orleans) neal
Kay Verde, on the coast of Cuba, with
more than three hundred African ne
groes on board. The prize under the
command of Lieut.. Bradford, of the
United States Navy, arrived at Charles
ton on the 9th of August; when the
negroes, three hundred and six in mum.
Der, were delivered into the custody OF
the United States Marshal for the Dis
trict of South Carolina. They were
first placed in Castle Pinckney, and
afterwards in Fort Sumter, for safe
keeping, and were detained there until
the 10th of September, when the sur.
vivors, two hundred and seventy-one
in number, were delivered on board the
United States steamer Niagara, to be
transported to the coast of Africa, un-
der the charge of the agent of the
United States, pursuant to the provi-
sions of the act of the Sd of March,
1919, Gin addition to the acts prohibit
ing the slave trade" Under the second
section of this act, the President is
authorized to make such regulations
and arrangements as he may deem ex-
pedient, for the safe keeping, support
and removal beyond the limits of the
United States, Of all such negroes, mu-
lattoes or persons of color" captured
by vessels of the United Stetes, as may
be delivered to the Marshal of the dis
trict into which they are brought; "and
to appoint a proper person or persons
residing upon the coast of Africa az