The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-12-03

projects now pending before them for enlarg-
lug the capacities OF the great canals In New
York and Illinois, being Of vital and rapidly
increasing importance to the whole nation and
especially u the vast interior region herenai-
ter to be noticed ut some greater length. I
propose having prepared aud laid before you at
al early day some interesting and valuable
statistical information upon this subject.
The military and commercial Importance OF
charging the Illinois and Michigan canal, and
improving the Illinois river, Is presented in the
report ot Col. Webster To tie Secretary Of
War, and now transmitted to Congress. /
respectfully ask attention TO 1t. To carry out
the provisions of the act OF Congress Of the
18th OF May last, have caused the Department
OK Agriculture OF the Y. s. to be organized.
The Commissioner informs ms within the pc
Rod OF o few months this department has es-
tabished al extensive system of correspond
ence and exchanges both ut home and
abroad, which promises u effect highly bene-
nclal results in the development OF correct
knowledge OF recent Improvements In agricul-
ture, in the introduction Of new products and
IN the collection Of the agricultural statistics
oil the different States; also, that it will soon
be prepared to distribute largely, seeds, cereals,
plants and cuttings, and has already published
aud literally ditiused much valuable informa-
ton In anticipation of more elaborate
report which will in due time be
furnished, embracing some valuable tests
in chemical science now in progress in
the laboratory. The creation OF this
department was for the more immediate benefit
OF a large class OF our most valuable citizens,
and trust that the liberal basis upon which 1t
has been organized will not only meet your ap-
probation, but That II will realize at no distant
day all the fondest anticipatloLs OF its most san
gune friends and become the fruitful source of
advantage to all our people.
On the 22d day of September last proclama.
ton was issued by the Executive, copy of
which Is herewith submitted. In accordance
with the purpose expressed in the second para.
graph OF tat paper now respectfully recall
your attention u what may be called Com.
pensated Emancipation" A nation may be
said to consist OF It's territory, Its people and its
laws. The territory Is the only part, which Is OF
certain durability, "Onegeneration passeth away
aud another generation conIeth, but the Garth
abideth forever" It il oil the first Importance
To duly consider and estimate this ever endur-
Ing part. That portion OF the earths surface
which Is owned and inhabited by the people OF
the United States is well adapted 10 be the
home OF one national family, and 1t is not well
adapted for two or more. Its vast extent aud
its variety Of climate and productions are of ad-
vantage In the age Of one people, whatever they
might have been In former ages. Steam aud
telegraphs and Intelligence have brought these
to be an advantageous combination for one
united people,
In the Inaugural Address l briefly pointed
out the total inadequacy OF disunion rs q RENE.
dy for differences between the people of the
two sections. | did 50 In language which l
cannot improve, and which, therefore, beg to
repeat.
One section of our country believes slavery
Is right, and ought to be extended, while the
other believes II Is wrong and ought not to be
extended. This Is the only substantial dispute
The fugitive slave clause Of the Consultation
and the law for suppression of the African slave
trade are each AS well enforced perhaps as any
law can ever be Ia o community where the
moral sense of the people imperfectly supports
the law ITSELF The great body of the people
abide BY the legal obligations ia both cases, and
u few break over In each. This l think cannot
be perfectly cured and 1t would be worse Ia
both instances after separation of the sections
than before.
The foreign slave trade, now imperfectly sup
pressed, would be ultimately revived without
restriction In one section, while fugtives, now
only partially SURF, ndered, would not be sur
rendered at all by the others Physically speak
ing We cannot separate we cannot remove our
respective sections from each other. nor build
aud wife may be divorced aud 60 out Of the
presence and beyond the reach of each other,
but the different parts of the country cannot do
this.
They cannot bat remain face to face, aud In
tercourse, either amicablc or hostile, must con.
tinue between them. Is 1t possible then to make
that intercourse more advantageous or more
satisfactory after reparntion than before Can
aliens make treaties easier than friends can
make laws2 Can treaties be NOR, faithfully en-
enforced be more faithfully enforced among
forced between aliens than laws can
among riendsl Suppose you 90 TO