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

mary interests would be directly involved Congress
might then assist them in the work by grants OF land
or Of money, or both, under ouch conditions and re-
strctions would the transportation of troops
and munitions of war FREQ from any CHARGE and that
Of the United States mail at q fair and reasonable
price.
The progress of events since tho commencement Of
your last session, has shown how soon difficulties dis
appear before firm and determined resolution. At
that time, such road deemed by wise and patri
otic men, to be visionary project The great dis
tance to be overcome md the intervening mountains
and deserts in tho way, obstacles which, in the
opinion Of many could not be surmounted. Now,
after the lapse Of but single yoar these obstacles it
has been discovered, fur ess formidable than they
were supposed to be; and mail stages, with paasen-
gers, now pass and repass regularly, twice in each
week, by common wagon-road between San Fran
cisco and St. Louis and Momphis, in less than twenty
five dnys. The service has been as regularly per-
formed. as it was in former years, between New York
and this city.
Whilst discluming 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 ur
ging to undertake the work speedily us possible.
Tho first and most momentous of these is, thut such
n road would be powerful bond Of union between
the States east and west Of the Rocky mountains.
This is scfevidcnt as to require no illustration.
But again, i'll Il commercial point Of view con-
slider this the great question Of the day. With the
eastern front of our republic stretching along the At
antc, and its western front along the Pacc, if all
the parts should be united by sae, easy, and rapid
INSTRUMENTATION, We must necessarily command
very large proportion of the trade both of Europe and
Asia. Our recent trcaes with China ind 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 Asia has always bocnme wealthy and pow
crfu. The peculiar geographical position Of Caliior
MIA and our Pacific pO'sussons, invites American cap
tai and enterprise into this fruitful field. To reap
tho rich harvest, however, it Indispensable pre-
requisite, thut shall first have railroad, to con-
vcy and circulate its products throughout every por
tiun of the Union. Besidep such railroad through
our temperate latitude, which would not be impcded
by the frosts and of winter by the tropical
heats of summer, would attract to itself much of the
travel md the trade Of all nations passing between
Europe and Asia"
25. The last point of the message has reference to
the Echo case, the committal of the Africans into the
hands of the Colonization Society, &c. This Society
engaged for the consideration of forty.ve thousand
dollars, to receive these Africans in Liberia from the
agent of the United States, and furnish them, during
the period Of year thereafter, with comfortable
shelter clothing provisions and medical attendance,
ruusng the children to receive schooling and MI,
whether children adults, to be instructed in the
arts of civilized life, sutable to their condition.
&C. 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-
Le duty of expressing my qualification, that Congress
20 kindly responded to the recommendation of my
last annual message, by affordng me sufficient timc
before the close of their lute session. for the c1am-
nation Of all the bills presented to for approval
This change in the practice of Congress, has proved
to be wholesome reform. 1t exertcd beneficial
influence tho transaction of Legislative business,
md elected the general appreciation of the country
1t enabled Congress to adjourn with that dignity and
dvlibcration becoming to the representatives Of
this great republic, without having crowded into gen.
eral appropriation bills provisions foreign to their
nature and of doubtful constutonality and expedi-
cncy. Lot ne warmly and strongly commend this
precedent established by themselves, as guide to
their proceedings during the present session"