, 1859-01-07

a resort to specific duties is pointed out as
the proper mode Of assessing aud collecting
under revenue tariff. The argument Of
the President must here be referred to in
order to do him proper justice in the sug-
gestions be makes,
The annual labOrs Of the various depart
ments, as exhibited by the reports accom-
panying the message, showing the condition
Of the national government, are next ad-
Terted to. We cannot now give the sta
dsties exhibited, nor the valuable sugges-
tions made.
But our citizens, (though Washington
territory, her large debt delayed and un-
paid, is not alluded to,) will learn with
pleasure the views of the President on the
great work of the age-the Pacific Rail
road, on which subject we quote at length
The Presidents views:
81 would again call your pttention to the constre
ton Of Pacific Railroad. Time and reflection have
the observations which made on this subject In my
ast annual message, to which beg leave respectfully
10 refer.
Il Is freely admitted, that 1t would be inexpedient
for this government to exercise the power Of construct
log the Pacific Railroad BY its own immediate agents.
Such policy would increase the patronage Of the e1-
ecutive 70 dangerous extent, and introduce system
Of jobbing aud corruption which no vigilance on the
paft Of the federal officials could either prevent de-
tect This can only be done by the keen eye, and
active and careful supervision Of individual aud pr
Vnte interest The construction Of this road ought
therefore, 70 be committed 10 companies Incorporated
by the States other agencies whose pecunary nte
rests would be directly involved. Congress might
then assist them n the work by grants OF land or Of
money, or both under such conditions and restrictions
as would secure the transportation Of troops and mu-
nitons 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 d1icutes dis
appear before hrm and determined resolution. At
that lime, such road was deemed by wise and patri-
otic men 10 be visionary project. The great dis
tance 10 be overcome and the Intervening mounains
and deserts In the way, were obstacles which, In the
opinion Of many, could not be surmouned. Now,
after the lapse oi but single year, these obstacles it
bas been discovered far less formidable than they
were supposed TO be; and mail stages, with passen
ger., now pass and repass regularly twice in each
week, by common wagonroad between san Fran
cisco and St. Louis and Memphis in less than twenty
Eve days. The service has been regularly perform
ed as i was In former yeas between New York and
this city.
Whilst diselAiming all authorty to appropriate
money for the construction u this road except that
derived from the war-making power Of the eonstitu
ton, there are important collateral considerations
urging Us TO undertake the work as speedily as pos
si6le.
The lrst and most momentous Of these is, that such
road would be powerful bond Of union between the
States east and west Of the Rocky mountains. This
Is so selfeydent as to require no illustration.
Bot again, in a commercial point Of view, consider
this the great question Of the day. With the eastern
front Of republic stretching along the Atlantic and
Us western front along the Pacific If all the parts
should be united by safe, easy and rapid ntercom-
municatOn, we must necessarily command a very
large proportion Of the trade both Of Europe and Asia
Our recent treaties with China aud japan will open
these rich and popnlous empires to our commerce;
and the history Of the world proves that the ration
which has gained possession Of the trade with Eastern
Asia, has always become wealthy and powerful. The
peculiar geographical position Of California and our
Pacific possessions invites American capital and en-
prise into this fruitful field. TO reap the Ilch harvest
however i Is an Indispensable prerequisite, that we
shall int have raruad, 70 convey and circulate its
products throughout every portion-of the Union Be
sides such railroad through temperate latitude
which would not be mpeded by the ftosts and snoys
Of winter nor BY the tropical beats OF SIMMER would
attract TO itself much Of the travel and the trade Of
all nations passing between Europe and Asia"
After passing notice Of the labors Of
our vessels in the repression Of the slave
trade and recommendation in favor Of the
District Of Columbia, the President con-
cludes the message in a long, able and
manly exposition Of our domestic and for
eign relations, which in our next VIC shall
give at length to eur readers