Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-12-15

ninry interests would he directly involved. Congress
might then nssist them in the work by grants OF land
or Uf money, both, under ouch conditions and re-
strctions as would the transportation of troops
and munitions of war free from any charge, and that
of the United States mail at fair and reasonable
price.
The progress of events since tho commencement of
your last session. hus shown how soon difficulties dis
appear before firm and determined resolution. At
that time, such road was deemed by wise and pari
otc men, to be visionary project The great dis
tance to be overcome and the intervening mountains
and deserts in tho way woro obstacles which, in the
opinion Of many, could not be surmounted Now,
after the lapse Of but single year, these obstacles it
has been discovcred fur less formidable than they
were supposed to be; and mail stages, with passen-
gers, now pass and repass regularly, twice in each
week, by n common wagon-road between San Fran
csco and St. Louis and Memphis in less than twenty
five days. The service has been as regularly per-
formed. Was, in former years, between New York
and this city.
Whilst diseuiining all authority to appropriate
money for the construction of this road, except that
derived from tho war making power Of the constitu-
ton, there important collateral considerations
ging to undertake the work speedily possible
Tho first and most nomentousof these is, that such
! road would be powerful bond of union between
| the Suites east md west of the Rocky mountains
This is 30 sclf-evdent to require no illustration.
But again, in commercial point of view 1 con-
slider this the great question Of the day. With the
eastern front of republic stretching along the At
lantic and its western front along tho Pncic, if all
the parts should be united by safe, easy and rapid
| INSTRUMENTATION, We must necessarily command a
large proportion of the ude both Of Europe and
Asia. Our recent treaties with China and japan will
open these rich and pOpulOus empires to our COM
mercc and the history Of the world proves, that the
nation which has gained possession Of the trade with
Eastern Asa, has always bocnme wealthy and pow
erful. The peculiar geographical position of CufOr
na and Pacific poSssssions, invites American cap
tn and enterprise into this fruitful field. To reap
the rich harvest however, it is an indispensable pre-
requisite, that wc shall first have railroad, to con-
vey and circulate its products throughout every por
tiOn of the Union. Besides, such railroad through
our temperate latitude, which would not be mpcded
by the fross and Of winter by the tropical
heats of summer, would attrnct to itself much of the
travel and the trade Of all nations passing between
Europe and Asia"
25. The last point Of the message has reference to
the Echo case the commtta Of the Africans into the
hands of the Colonization Society, &c. This Society
engaged for the consideration Of forty.fvo thousand
dollars 10 receive these Africans in Liberia from the
agent of the United States and furnish them, during
the period Of one year thereafter, with comfortable
shelter clothing provisions, and medical attendance,
rausing the children to receive schooling; and all,
whether children adults, 10 be instructed in the
arts of civilized life, suitable to their condition.
g. The local interests of the District of Columbia
are recommended to the attention Of Congress.
81. And tho message closes with the following al-
lusion to wholesome precedent Of the last session
az cannot conclude without performing the agrcea-
bic duty of expressing my qualification that Congress
90 kindly responded to the recommendation of my
last annual message, by nfording me sufficient time
before tho close Of their late session, for the exam
nation Of all the bills presented to for approval.
This change in the practice of Congress- has proved
to be wholesome reform. It exertcd beneficial
influence on the transaction Of legislative business
and elected the general appreciation Of the country
1t enabled Congress to adjourn with TINT dignity md
dcbcration 80 becoming to the representatives o
this great republic, without having crowded into gen.
eral appropriation bills provisions foreign to theiI
nature and of doubtful constitutionaiity and expedi
ency. Lot Inc warmly and strongly commend this
precedent, established by themselves, as guide tc
their proceedings during the present session."