Newspaper Page Text
VOL. XIV.
m KOMIJ jMbscmi.
IS PUBLISHED EVERT THURSDAY MORNING
EY WILLIAM CLINE,
At Two Dollars and Fifty Cents per an.
snm, or Two Poilars paidja advrvhfeO.
\ ‘ar inserted at O.ViJ j
f>O{.T,S R: perVfjtia ie, for the first insertion, and
PIFtY CENTS per square, for caeh mset|io’
tliere'iil ter. ‘ ‘
A feaßonalilfr ‘Wilt* viO made to those
who otvHiso yhcr.
All .i(lverJis*'iiients not otherwise ordered, will
be conjurin''' l till li-rt.id
fl'JpS U.F.S OF LAND S hy Administrator?,
Rx'-entors or G imdi.ins me rene.ired lj law to J>e
held on the first Tnofflay in the inortth, tu t ween
tin* hoars o’ten iivthe l">'t:n.'on a.iui three in thi
afternoon, at lip; Ounil-liuH-u', i.u.'h” county in
which tile land is i UedV .Noties 1 of these side,
most he given m a politic gav.eMc FOR TY DAY S
to IhW-dav >f?n!e.
RULES OF NEGROES .must he tnape at p.ib-
I’e nuettrm on the lirst ‘Tuesday of'he month, be
tween the usual hoots of sale, at the ['lan; of pub
lc sates m the county vvhrro the letters Tesla
ltenlary, of Adniinistration or Guardianship may
have been granted; lirst giving FORTY DAYS
entice thereof in on’e of tip; public garottes ct this
S .-de, and a! the court hotrso who e such salearse
to he tield.
Notice for the sale of Personal Property must
he given in tike manner FORTY DAYS previous
to the day of sale.
Notice to nektons nod Creditors of an estate
Inust he published FORTY DAYS.
Notice that application will he made to the Court
Ortlmarv fir leave to sell land must he pub
lished for TWO MONTHS,
Notice for leave To sell negroes most he
puVis'ml TWO MONTHS before any order ab
sn'tUe sh.iil he made thereon hv the Court.
Cl TATIONS for Lett"rs of Administration,
must be piiblrslied thirty pats; fir Uismissipn
from Aitini’ustration. monthly six months; for
f>:s;r,i=si in from Guardianship, forty DaY'.
Ruin.’ for the Foreclosure of Mortgage must he
published montiii.y for four months,, estah
psiettg lost papers, tor the lull space of three
MoNtii*; for coni petti ni? ‘
a hood hasboon given by
the deceased tie* full space of THREE MONTH*.
MESIUfT MESSitIB.
CONCIAT.KD.
I commend to your favorable considera
tion the men of genius of our country who,
by their inventions and discoveries, in sci
ence ar.d art, have contributed largely to
the improvements of the age, without, in
iuratv instances, securing for themselves
anything like adequate reward. For mu
ny’intcrestmg details upon this subject, I
refer you to the appropriate reports, and
especially urce upon your early attention
these apparently slight, but really impor
tant modifications of existing laws therein
suggested.
The liberal spirit which has so long
marked the action of Congress in relation
to the District of Columbia, will, I have
no doubt, continue to be manifested.
The erection of an asylum for the In
sane of the District of Columbia, and of
the army and navy of the United States,
lm> been somewhat retarded, by the great
demand for materials and labor during the
past summer; but full preparations for the
reception of patients, before the return of
another winter, is anticipated; and there
•is the best reason to believe, from the plan
mid contemplated arrangements Which
have been devised, with the. large experi
ence furnished within the last few years in
relation to the nature and treatment of
the disease, that it will prove an asylum
indeed to this most helpless and afflicted
class cl sufferers, and stand as a noble
monument of wisdom and mercy.
Under the act of Congress of March
31, lt-53, designed to secure for the cities’
of Washington and Georgetown an abun
dant supply of good and wholesome water,
it became iny duty to examine the report
and plans of the engineer who had charge
<>f the surveys under the. act first named.
The best, if* not the only plan, calculated
to secure permanently the object sought,
was that which contemplated taking the
water from the Great Falls of the l’otomae,
and, consequently, 1 gave to it my appro
val.
For the progress and present condition
.f this important work, and for its de
mands, so f.tr as appropriations are con-,
cerned, I refer you to the report of the Se
cretary of War.
The present judicial system of the Uni
ted States has now been m operation for
su long a period of time, and has, in its
general theory and much of its details,
become so familiar to the country, and ac
quired so entirely the public confidence,
that if modified in any respect, it should
only be in those particulars which may
adapt it to the increased extent, population
and legal business of the United States,
hi this relation, the organization of the
courts is now* confessedly inadequate to
the duties to he performed by them; in
consequence of which the States of Flori
da, Wisconsin, lowa,-Texas and Califor
nia, and districts of other States, are iu
effect excluded from the full benefits 0 f the
general system, by the functions of the
circuit court being devolved upon the dis
trict judges in all those States, or parts of
States.
The spirit of the constitution, and a
due regard to justice, requires that all the
States of the Union should be placed on
the same footing in regard to the judicial
tribunals. I therefore commend to your
consideration this important subject, which
in my judgment, demands the speedy ac
tion of Congre.'S. I will present to you,
if deemed desirable, a plan, which I am
prepared to recommend, fur the enlarge
ment and modification of the present judi
cial systum.
The act of Congress establishing the
Smithsonian Institution, provides that the
President of the United States, and other
persons therein designated, should consti
an “establishment” by that name, and
that the members should hold stated and
special meetings for the supervision of the
affairs of the Institution. The organization
not Laving taken place, it seemed to me
proper that it should be effected without
.delay. This has been doiie; and an occa
sion was thereby presented for inspecting
of the Institution, and ap-
Bbitisig its successful progress thus far,
high promise of great and general
omitied (cask your favorable
Kio.i for tiie estimates of works of
Bran*haracter iu twenty-seven of the
Hfi-rty-oae States, amounting to one mill
ion seven hundred and lifty-four thousand
five hundred dollars, because, indepen
dently of the grounds which have so often
been urged against the application of the
federal revenue for works of this character,
inequality with consequent Injustice is in
herent in the nature of the proposition,
and because tho plan hasypoxe<l entirely
inadequate tyjtte- ftCCOlhplshmcmt Ot the
The subject of internal improrermlnts,
claiming alike tpe good will of all, has,
! ne Vertbeless, bfccn the basis of much polit-1
seal discussion, and has stood as a deep
graven line of division between statesmen
of eminent ability and patriotism. The
rule of strict construction of all powers
delegated by the States to the general go
vernment has arrayed itself from time to
time against the rapid progress of expen
ditures from the national treasury upon
works of a local character within the
States. Memorable as an epoch in the
history of this subject, is the message of
President Jackson of the 27th of May,
1830, which met the system of internal
improvements in its comparative infancy;
but so rapid had been its growth, that the
projected appropiations in that year for
works of this character had risen to the
alarming amount of more than one hun
dred millions of dollafs.
In that message the President admitted
the difficulty of bringing back the opera
tions of the government to the construc
tion of the constitution set up in 1798.
and marked it as an admonitory proof of
the necessity of guarding that instrument
with sleepless vigilance against the au
thority of precedents, which had not the
sanction of its most plainly defined powers.
Our government exists under a written
compact between the sovereign States,
uniting for specific objects, and with spe
cific grants to their general agent. If,
there have been departures from the terms
and intent of the compact, it is, and ever
will be, proper to refer back to the fixed
standard which our fathers left us, and to
make a stern effort to conform our action
to it. It would seem that the fact of a
principle having been resisted from the
first by many cf the wisest and most pa
triotic men of the republic, and a policy
.havingprovoked constant strife, without
arriving at a conclusion which can be re
garded as satisfactory to its most earnest
advocates, should suggest the enquiry
whether there may not be a plan likely to
be crowned by happier results. Without
perceiving any sound distinction, or intend
ing to assert any principle ns opposed to
improvements needed for the protection of
internal commerce, which does not equally
apply to improvements upon the seaboard
for the protection of foreign commerce. 1
submit to you, whether it may not safely
be anticipated that, if the policy were once
settled against appropriations by the gens
oral government for local improvements for
the benefit of commerce, localities requir
ing expenditures would not, by modes and
means clearly legitimate and proper, raise
the funds necessary for such construction*
as the safety or other interests of their
commerce might require.
If that be regarded as a system, which
in the experience of more than thirty
years, has at no time so commanded the
public judgment as to give it the character
of a settled policy,—which, though it line
produced works of conceded importance,
has been attended with an expenditure
quite disproportionate to their value, —and
has resulted in squandering large sums up
on objects which have answered ho valuable
purpose —the interests of all the States re
quire it to be abandoned, unless hopes may
be indulged for the future which find no
warrant in the past. .. ,
With no anxious desire for the comple
tion of the works which are regarded by
all good citizens with sincere interest, I
have deemed it my duty to ask at your
hands a deliberate reconsideration of tjie.
question, with a hope that, animated by a
desire to promote the permanent and sub
stantial interests of the country, your wis
dom may prove equal to the task of devi
sing and maturing of a plan, which, applied
to this subject, may pfdm'rie something
better than constant strife, the suspension
of ..the powers of local enterprise, the ex
citing of vain hopes, and the disappoint
ment of cherished expectations.
In expending the appropriations made
by the last Congress, sereial cases have
arisen in relation to works for the improve
ment of harbors, which involve questions
as to the right of soil and jurisdiction, and
have threatened conflict between the au
thority of the State and general govern
ments. The right to construct a break
water, jetty, or dam, would seem, necessa-
rity, to carry with it the power to protect
and preserve such constructions. This can
only be effectually done by having juris
diction over the soil. But no clause of
the constitution is found, on which to rest
the claim of the United States to exercise
jurisdiction over the soil of a State, except
that conferred by the eighth section of the
first article of the constitution. It is then
submitted, whether in all cases where con
structions are to be erected by the general
government, the right of soil should not
first be obtained, and legislative provision
be made to cover all such cases.
For the progress made in the construc
tion of roads within the territories, as
provided for in the appropriations of the
ast Congress, I refer you to the report of
t’i 5 Secretary o. War.
There is ove subject of a domestic na
ture, which, from its intrinsic importance,
and the many interesting questions of fu
ture policy which it involves, cannot fail
to receive your early attention. I allude
to the means of communication, by which
different parts of the wide expanse of our
country are to be placed in closer connex
ion for purposes both of defence and com
mercial intercourse, and more especially
such as appertain to the communication of
those great divisions of the Union which
lie on,the opposite sides of the Itocky
Mountains
That the government has not been un
mindful of this heretofore, is apparent from
the aid it has afforded, through appropria
tions for mail facilities and other purposes.
But the general subject will now present
itself under aspects more imposing aiid
more purely national, by reason of the
surveys ordered by Congress, and now in
the process of completion, for communica
tion by railway across the continent, and
wholly within the limits of the United
States.
‘1 he power to declare war, to raise and
support armies, to proviso and maintain a
GRIFFIN, (GA.) THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 22, 1853.
havy, and to call forth the militia to exe
cute fie laws, suppress insurrections -and
repel iwasions, Was conferred Upon Con
gress ama means to provide for the com
mon defence, and to protect a territory
and a ,population now wide-spread and
vastly multiplied.
* As incident to and indispensable for the
exercise of this power, it must sometimes
be necessary to construct military roads
and protect harbors of refuge. To appro
priations by Congress for such objects, no
sound objection can be raised. Happily I
for our country, its peaceful policy and
rapidly increasing population impose upon
us no urgent necessity for preparation, and
leaves but few trackless deserts between
assailable points and a patriotic people
ever ready and generally able to protect
them: These necessary links, the” enter
prise and energy of our people are steadi
ly and boldly struggling to supply. All
experience affirms that, wherever private
enterprise will avail, it is most wise for the
general government to leave to that and
individual watchfulness the loc.ition and
execution of all means Os communication.
The surveys before alluded to were
designed to ascertain the most practical
and economical route for a railroad from
the river Mississippit6 the Pacific ocean.
Parties are now in the field making ex-
I ploratious, where previous examination
laid not supplied sufficient data, and where
there was the best reason to hope the ob
ject sought might be found. ‘1 he means
and t me being both limited, it is not to Ur
expected that all the accurate knowledge
desired wilt be obtained; but it is hoped
that much and important information
..W-Ul, -itor. Titvch prOTlfUTSly"’
possessed, and shat partial, if not full re
ports of the surveys ordered will be recei
ved, in time for transmission to the two
houses of Congress, on or before the first
Monday ia February next, as required by
the act of appropriation.
The magnitude of the enterprise contem
plated has aroused, and will doubtless
continue to excite, very general interest
thoughout the country. In its political,
its commercial, and its military bearings,
it has varjpd, great, and increasing claims
to eoosideratiotn The heavy expense;
the great delay, and at times, fatality at
tending travel by either of the isthmus
routefy have demoustrated the advantage
which would result from iuterritorial
communication by such safe and rapid
means as a railroad would supply.
These difficulties which have been en-
countered in a period of peace, would be
magnified and still further increased in
time of war. But whilst the embarras
ments already encountered, and others un
der new contingencies to be anticipated,
may serve strikingly to exhibt the impor
tance of such a work, neither these, nor
all eon.-iderations combined, can have an
applicable value, when weighed against
the obligation strictly to adhere to the
constitution, and faithfully to execute the
powers it confers.
Within tli's limit and to the extent of
the interest of the government involved, it
would seem both expedient and proper, if
an economical and practicably routa*shall
be found, to aid, by all constitutional
means, in the construction of a road, which !
will uuite by speedy transit, the popula
tions of the Pacific and Atlantic States.
To guard against misconception, it should
be remarked, that although tire power to
construct, or aid in the construction, of a
road within the limits of a territory is, not
embarrased by that question of jurisdic
tion which would arise within the limits
of a State, it is nevertheless hel l to be
of doubtful propricy, even within the
limits of a territory, lor the general gov
ernment to’ undertake to administer the
affairs of a railroad, a canal, or other
similar construction, and therefore, that
connexion with a work of this character
should be incidental rather than primary.
I will only add, at present, that, tally ap
preciating the magnitude of the subject,
and solicitus that the Atlantic and Pacific
shores of the republic may be bound to
gether by insuperable ties of common
interest, as vffcil as of common fealty and
attachment to tho union, I shall be
disposed, so far as my own action is con
cerned, to follow the lights of the consti
tution, as expounded and illustrated by
those whose opinions and expositions con
stitute the standard of my political faith
in regard to the powers of the federal
government. It is, I trust, not necessary
to say, that no grandeur of euterprise, and
no present urgent inducement promising
popular favor, will lead me to disregard
those lights, or to depart from that path,
which experience has proved to be safe,
aud which is now radiant with the glow
of properity and legitimate constitutional
progress. We can afford to wait, but we
cannot afford to overlook the ark of our
safety.
It is no part of my purpose to give
prominence to any subject, which may be
properly regarded as set at rest by the de
liberate judgment of the people. But
while the present is bright with promise,and
the future full of demand and inducement
for the exercise of active intelligence, the
past can never be without useful lessons of
admonition aud instruction. If its dangers
serve not as beacons, they will evidently
fail to fulfil the object of a wise design.—
When the grave shall have closed over
all, who are now endeavoring to meet the
obligations of duty, the year 1850 will be
recurred to as a period Idled with anxious
apprehensions. A successful war had just
been terminated. Peace brought with it
a vast augmeutation of territory. Dis
turbing questions arose, bearing upon the
domestic institutions of oue portion of the
confederacy, and involving the constitution
al rights of the States.
Hut notwithstanding differences of opin
ion aud sentiment, which tlieu existed in
relation to details aud specific provisions,
the acquiescence of distinguished citizcus,
whose devotion to the Union can never be
doubted, has given renewed vigor to our
institutions, aud restored a sense of repose
aud security to the public mind through
out the confederacy. That this repose is
to suffer no shock during my official term,
if I have power to avert, those who placed
me here may rest assured. The wisdom of
men* who ki • v wh.it independence cost, —
who had put all at stake upon the issue of
the revolutionary struggle,-—disposed of
the subject to which 1 re.or, in the only
way eonsiftteivt with-.the union of these
-States, and with the march of power and
prosperity which has made us what we
are.
It is a significant fact, that from tho a
doption of the constitution jnntil the offi
cei'S.and soldiers of. had
passed to their gloves, or, Through the
infirmities of age aft 1 wounds, had ceased
to participate actively in public affairs,
there was not merely a quiet acquiescence
in, but a prompt vindication of the con
stitutional rights of the States The re
served powers were scrupulously respect
ed. No statesman put forth the narrow
views of casuifitft to justify interference and
agitation; but the spirit of the compact
was regarded as sacred in the eye of hon
or, and indispensable for the .great experi
ment of civil l'bcrty, which, environed by
inherent difficulties, was yet borne for
ward in apparent weakness by a power
superior to all obstacles. Therq is no con
demnation whi *li the voice of freedom will
not pronounce upon us, should .we prove
faithless to this great trust.
While men inhabiting differeht parts of;
this vast continent can no more be expect- j
ed to hold the same opinions, or enter- [
tain the same sentiments, than every va
riety of climate or soil can be expected to
furnish the same agricultural products,
they can unite iti a common, object and
sustain common [trine pies essential to the
maintenance of that object The gallant
men of the south and north CGimi stand
urgeibet during the struggle of the Revo
lution; they could stand together, in the
more trying period which succeeded the
clangor of arms. As their united valor
camp
and dangers of the field, sqSgShefr united
wisdom proved equal to the'grcater task
of founding upon a deep ayd b|pad basis,
institutions which it has-oiu* privi
lege to enjoy, and Will ever be our most
sacred duty to sustain,.. It is but the fee
ble expression of a faith strong and uni
versal, to say their sons, whose blood has
mingled so often upon tiic same field, du
ring the war of lei 2, and who have more
recently, borne in triumph the flag of tire
country upon a foreign soil, Will never per
mit alienation to weaken the power of our
united efforts, nor internal dissensions to
paralyze the great arm of freedom, up
lifted for the vindication of self-govern
ment.
I have t!ius briefly presetted such sug
gestions ns seem to me espe|&l|y worthy
of your consideration. .la for
the present, you can ‘ Huffily fail to avail
yourselves of the light which the experi
-1 ence of the past casts upon the future.
The growth of our population has now
brought us in the destined career of our
national history, to a point at which it
well behooves us to expand our vision
over the vast perspective.
The successive decennial returns of the
census since tiie adoption of the constitu
tion, have revealed a law .of steady pro
gressive development, whnffflhay be sta
ted iu general terms, as a duplication eve
ry quarter-century. Carried forward
from tiie point already reached, for only a
short; period of time as applicable to the
existence of a nation, law of progress, if
• unchecked, will bring ns to almost incredi
ble results.
A large allowance for a .‘diminished pro
portional effect of emigration would not
very materially reduce the estimate, while
the increased average duration of human
life, known to have already resulted from
the scientific and hygienic improvements
of the past fifty years, will tend to keep
up, through the next fifty, or, perhaps,
hundred, the same ratio of growth, which
I has thus been revealed in our past pro-
I gross; and to the influences of these causes
may be added tne influx of laboring mass
es from eastern Asia to the i’acitic side of
onr possessions, together with the proba
ble accession of the populations already
existing iu other parts oi our hemisphere,
which, within the period iu question, will
feel, with yearly increasing; force, the na
tural attraction of so vast, powerful, and
prosperous confederation ot sell-governing
republics, and will seek the privilege ol bo-,
iug- admitted within its sale and happy j
bosom, transferring with themselves, by a
peaceful and healtny process of in<*>rpora
tiou, spacious regions of virgin and exube
rant soil, which are destined to swarm with
the fast growing and fast spreading mil
lions of our race.
„ These considerations seem fully to justi
fy the presumption, that the law of popu
lation above stated will continue to act
with undiminished effect, through at least
the next half century; aud that thousands
of persons who has already arrived at ma
turity, aud are now exercising the right of
freemen, will close their eyes on the spec
tacle of more than one hundred millions of!
population embraced within the majestic
proportions of the American Union. It
is not m rely as an interesting topic of
speculation that I present taese views to
your consideration. They have important
practical bearings upon all the political
duties we are called upon to perform. — j
Heretofore our system of government has
worked on what may be termed a minia
ture scale, in comparison with the devel
opment, which it must tiius assume, within
a future so near at hand, as scarcely to be
beyond the pro. cat of the existing genera
tion.
It is evident that a confederation so vast
aud so varied, both in numbers and terri
torial extent, ii habits and iu entercsts,
could only be kept m national cohesion by
the strictest fidelity to tin* principles ot tue
constitution, as understood by tnose who
have adhered to tiie most restricted con
struction of powers granted by tue people
and the States. Interpreted and applied
according to these principles, tue great
compact adapts itself with healthy ease
and freedom to an unlimited extension oi
that benign system of federative sell-gov
ernment, for which it is our glorious, and,
I trust, immortal character. Let us then,
with redoubled vigilance, be on our guard
against yielding to the temptation of the
exercise of doitqtful powers, even under the
pressure of the motives of conceded tem
porary advantage, and apparent tempora
ry expediency.
The minimum of federal government,
compatible with the maintenance of nation
al unity and efficient action hi our relation
with tne rest of the world, should afford
the rule and measure of construction of our
powers under the general clauses of tho
constitution. A spirit of strict deference
to the sovereign rights and dignity of eve
ry State, rather’ than a disposition to sub
ordinate the States into a provincial rela
tion to the central authority, should eha.r
actfrizse all our exercfSe of the pAlpecfifoT
powers temporarily Vested in us as a sa
cred trust from the generous confidence of
our constituents.
In like manner, ns a manifestly indispen
sible condition of the perpetuation of the
Union, and of the realization of that mag
nificent national future adverted to, does
the duty become yearly stronger and
clearer upon us, as citizens of the several
States, to cultivate a fraternal and affec
tionate spirit, language, conduct, in regard
to other states, and in relation to the va
ried interests, institutions, and habits of
sentiment and opinion, which may respec
tively characterize them. Mutual for
bearance, respect, and non-interference in
our personal action as citizens, and an en
larged exercise of the most liberal princi
ples of comity in the public dealings of
State with State, whether in legislation or
in the execution of the laws, are the means
to perpetuate that confidence and fraterni
ty, the decay of which a mere political
union, on so vast a scale, could not long
survive.
In still another point of view, Is an im
portant practical duty suggested by tiii3
consideration of the magnitude of dimen
sions, to which our political system, with
its corresponding machinery of govern
ment, is so rapidly expanding. With in
creased vigilance does it require us to cul -
virtues ot'ptibliefnig&h
ty and oflicial integrity and purity. Public
altairs ought to be so conducted that a
settled conviction shall pervade the entire
Union, that nothing short of the highest
tone and standard of morality marks eve
ry part of the administration and legislation
of the general government. Thus will the
federal system, whatever expansion time
and progress may give it, continue more
and more deeply rooted in the love and
coniidence of the people.
That wise economy, which is as far re
moved from parsimony as from corrupt
and corrupting extravagance - that single
regard for the public good, which will
frown upon all attempts to approach the
treasury with insidious projects of pi ivate
interests, cloaked under public pretexts —
that sound fiscal administration, which, in
the legislative department, guards against
the dangerous temptations incident to o
verliowiug revenue, and, in the executive,
maintains an unsleeping watchfulness a
guiust the tendency of all national ex
peuditures to extravagance,—'while they
are admitted elementary political duties,
may, 1 trust, be deemed as properly ad
verted to and urged, in view of the more
expressive sense of that necessity, which is
directly suggested by the considerations
now presented.
fcincc the adjournment of Congress, the
Vico President- of the United Mates has
passed from the scenes of earth, without
having entered upon the duties of Lis sta
tion to which lie had been called by the
voice of his countrymen. Having occupied,
continuously, for more th%u*thirty
years, a seat in one or the other'of the
two houses of Congress, aud having, by
his singular purity and wisdom, secured
unbounded confidence and universal re
spect, his failing health was watched by
the nation witn painful solicitude. His
loss to the country, under ail tiie circum
stances, has been justly regarded as irre
parable.
In compliance with the act of Congress
of March 2, lt>s3, the oath of office was
administered to him on the 24th of that
month, at Ariadne estate, near Matauzas,
in the Island of t übn; but his strength
gradually declined, and was hardly suili
eieut to enable him to return to his home
in Alabama, where on the 18th day of
April, m tiie most calm and peaceful way,
his long and eminently useful career was
! terminated.
Entertaining unlimited confidence ia
your intelligent and patriotic devotion to
the public interest, and being conscious of
| no-motives on my part which are not in
seporable from the lienor aud advancement
ot my country, 1 hope it may be my privi
lege to deserve and secure, not only your
cordial co-operation in great public mea
sures, but also those relations of confi
dence and regard, which it is always so
desirable to cultivate between members of
co-ordinate branches of the government.
PRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, D. C., Dec. stu, 1853.
Leasing tiie Stale itcail.
There is now before the Legislature a
i project for leasing the Western lit Ailan-
I tic Railroad for twenty years. This road
| has been built with tiie money of the <
| whole people of (ieorgia, aud they have
i looked forward to the time when the in
come from that road should afford a fund
for the support of free schools throughout
the length and breadth of the State. We
j do not pretend to arraign the motives of
those who advocate this project of leasing
out tuc State Hoad, but there are a few
questions m tins connection to which the
people will demand an auaWer. The Eu
gineer in las late report, predicts that in
a short time the nett income of the road
will be $.3u0,0j0 per annum. Other good
judges Limit it will exceed that amount.
It tiiese estimates are reasonable, wliv
suouid tue State offer the road to a com
pany of speculators for $250,G0d pm 1 an-
I uum, tor twenty years to come? Ihe
people will never consent to be taxed to
oaild railroads tor Lie benefit of specula
tors. The stoeit of every other railroad
in the State, we believe, is now yielding a
lair income, and Liis road, which is the
main trunk of which the others are the
branches, suouid be most profitable of all
it well managed, and we can see no reason
wtty tiie State lfoad cannot be as well
managed as any other road in the State.
But if the road was leased for its full
value, there are many other objections
to this project. The company who would
lease tue blale Road, would probably be
composed, principally, of the same indi
viduals that now own one or the other of
oar great railroads, and in defiance of ev
ery law to Lie contrary, they would be
certain to give a preference to thcr favor
ite road. Such a company with such im
mense resources at their command, would
be able to control the elections in many
counties, and might eventually obtain a
strong party in the Legislature By the
terms of the bill now before the Legisla
ture, thiis company is to be paid by the
State for all the improvements they may
choose 10 make on the road; and these
improvements comprehend depots, ware
houses, &c., &e. Under this privilege, the
company wonld have it in their power to
erect splendid buildings in certain towns
where they happened to own property, and
the State wonld have to foot the bill—
These improvements, we fear, would ex
haust all the income from the road. If
the State puts tills great work out of her
hands lor twenty years, we doubt very
much whether she will ever realize one
dollar for all that she lias spent. All ex-
perience proves that the State can never
contend successfully wi h a company that
has immense sums of money at its con
trol. \Ve hope the members of the Legis
lature will examine this project in all its
bearings, for we can assure them, if this
road; which has cost so much money, shall
now be suffered to go td enrich specula
tors, the people of Georgia will never
consent to be taxed to build another rail
road, aud the great railroad swindle h will
become as famous in this State as the
Yazoo fraud.
YVe hope the people of Georgia will
keep this valuable property under their
own control, for the moment it gets into
the hands of the soulless corporation, it is
lost to them forever. YVe repeat, we
make no charges against those who re 4
commend the lease of the State rood.—
They lmfy be goverend by pare and pa-1
triotic motives, but we feel confident the
plan will not result in good to the State,
and we warn the Legislature and the peo
ple against it. Let no one say that our
public works cannot be managed well as
long as they belong to the State. If that
is true, it would be an effectual argument
against the State ever taking any stock
or giving any aid to any enterprize. The
public works in other States have been so
man- get! as to bee*ome a profitable invest
ment, and why may not the State road of
Georgia? L e are well aware that the
management of the State roael throws a
heavy responsibilty either upon the Le
gislature or the Govermior of the State,
but they were selected by the people to
watch over their interests, and they will
not, and ought not, to shrink from the re
sponsibility. Without responsibility, there
is no honor attached to any office, fnd
those who honestly and wisely labor for
the welfare of the people, will not shrink
from their responsibility.— Fed. Union.
• ■ \
Tiie Levee.
The Govefnoi’s Levee on Tuesday even
ing last, was attended by an unusually large
number of members of the LegisDtuie,
visitors and citizens. The spacious Man
sion was literally packed v, ilh human be
ings. In taking a pen and ink sketch of such
motley collection of the lords and ladies
of creation, human ingenuity is taxed
where to begin. The Governor and his
estimable lady looked well, and greeted
their coiisiiimncy with maiked grace and
dignity. YY’ilh the blandest smile, his
Excellency welcomed high and low.—
Had we Lit disposed to
r , 1
1 ,L.-:i observation with extensive view
Survey ti.ua kind,”
and woman too, as each appeared in thej
confused, but living, moving, mass around j
us, the pleasure would have been denied
u -', as ihere was neither eye room nor
eluow room to be found. Once or twice
our position afforded us an opportunity to
lake in several agreeable as well as ludi
crons scenes, that somewhat compensated
| for the absence of almost eveiy other ia-!
! ceutive to pleasure j
Among tiie agrteable, we make men-!
! tion of the array of beauy and fashion)
that graced the occasion. The ladies, so!
far as our meagre observation extended, I
looked well, and were, very gene sl[y,i
dressed with taste; others were arrayed j
in dresses ‘“dipped in the richest tioc-i
lures of lhe skies” —while others stii!
wore such as once had colors, but had
yielded to the touch of time and water,
i here were gay widows and sprightly
widowers whoso.motto is:
“ Would you be wise,
Then never break y.ur hoar tvhanf Jlrloe dies.’’ i
Virgins whole liule hearts would flutter)
at a beau, ‘“with golden crowns and!
wreaths of heavenly flowers,” perfumed !
fops for whom
‘‘Money hath a power above,
i lie slurs and lute to manage love,”
and “silvergreys,” lank bachelors, their
pants “a w orld 100 wide,” aod maiden
aunts,
“\V ho have no passions of iln-ir own I
Nor pity to be wrought upon”
all mixing, mingling, buzzing, humping!
in one incomparable, but picturesque orn- I
nibus.
1 o discriminate where there was so !
little for disparagement, would be un
necessary-. Many faces struck us with I
peculiar emphasis—one in particular, a j
black eyed lassie from a neighboring!
city, of “gracelul ease and sweetness
void of pride,” a stranger to us, whose
beauty, flashed out and disappeared in the
crowd
“Like snow drops in lhe river,
A moment white, then gone forever”
Among the ludicrous scenes presented
to our view was that of a piney woods
plebeian, who, having lined his inner man
with the choicest morsels of a supurb
table, repaired to a vacant room, and took
position boldly in front of an elegant mir
ror. lie drew from bis pocket ft jack
knife, applied the same vigorously to his
teeth, and gazed at his picture with a
degree ot self satisfaction and conscious
importance that bore severely upon our
risibles. i hat man’s daguerreotype
we would ‘take’ for a specimen. Many
amusing scenes took place at Lie supper
table, which by the by, was most sump
tuous and elegant, and the more to be
praised as it was the result of the good
taste and skill of lbs accomplished lady
of the mansion. YY T e were heartily tick
led f t an attache of (he General Assem
*'l. v , who pitched into the sylabub, with
the opinion that it was Ivory ood
soup. ‘ °
‘1 bn -.weather was fine and delightful,
and for ourself, wc can say, that the o'?
portunity for enjoyment would have been
greatly enhanced, if the attendance had
been smaller, “1 hese Levees, however
much may be done to make the n agreea
ble, are incorrigible Lores, aud we think
tliatJeJte public convenience no less than
I the comfort of the Governor, requires that,
they be abandoned as a relic of by-gone
times. —Fed Union.
Hotel Belles.
There is a growing disposition on the
part of a certain portion of the fashionable
people to spend a considerable part of
their days of leisure at hotels. In the
summer menti s, the hotels at Saratoga
and Newport are resorted to as the turn
ing points of the fashionable world, and
in winter, Washington comes in for the
dissipations of the same or similar class
of society. In addition to this, there are
persons, married and single, who prefer
a life in a hotel to the comforts of a home:
partly from erroneous notions of economy 5
and paitly because housekeeping is con
nected with certain inconveniences, in
the shape of supervision or labor, from
which bourding effbrds comparative
relief.
We and ecidedly object to the fastt of a
mir.icd woman who can lie better satis
fied in a hotel than in a house of her own,
who can cheerfully substitute a public
life for the piivale one, ami the bustle of
i public draw ingroom for the retirement
of a home with her husband arid children.
VY T e think that a hoiel life is the veiy
y-rsive of conjugal tenderness an 1 affection,
and feel assured that n properly censtitu
led woman, in any sphere of life, will sub
mit to it only temporarily, and from ne
cessity. YVe wou.d as rtadily believe
that flowers can blossom wits out dew or
sun,shine, as that delicacy of sentiment,
and sound morals, can tie cultivated with
out retirement and the undistuthed play
of the affections in the family circles round
the domes.ic hearth. A woman w-ho
can find pleasure and happiness away
from her own fireside, has already lost the
greatest charm of her sex, and u is sure
to become, in the end, a burden to herself
and husband.
But there is a class of ladies; longing
for the distinction of being considered
bid.H of a pa ic i! tr Jf ishi rnab’e hotel,
and admired us such; not only by their
acq uaintanct-s, tut by strangers. This
assuredly is in wretched bad las e, and
as vulger as it L wretched. The idea of
dressing all the time for strange company
and indeavoring to please whom you do
not cate for, admitting everybody into
your society who can afford to live in the
same home, and be observed, criticised,
mid perhaps slandered by peisons you
can take no notice of, because they are
I beneath your nolice, is enough to make
j any rational woman who has been more
i than a year out of bearding school, de
! test a life in a public house, fie it ten
j limes as gorgeously furnished as the St.
) Nicholas or the Metropolitan.
We say nothing of the flirtatio s, gallant
ries, whispering rooms and bridal cham
j hers, which are unusually’ exhibited in
I hotels with so much pump and vulgar
significance. We have no fancy for
! courtship under a chandelier. A wi
! man of true delicacy and refinement will
neither exhibit her charms nor her graces
j nor accomplishments, to the public
j Exclusiveness is the very essence of a
j lady’s society, as domestic retirement
is the very soil ia which grows every fe
male virtue. The most poetical beauty
of a woman, is the flush on her cheeks;
the hotel belle has hut ono color, and
that not always her own. If a man
wants to know what sort of feeling a belle
| of the genus we have describe! inspires
j him with, let him put the question Loti*
I heart, how would I like to hive that
) woman for my w ife? and he will have no
; difficulty in understanding himself.— P/lit-
I addphui Ledger.
A Biblical Came. — The best specimen
of original criticism we ever heard, was
in a stage coach ride to Burry Edge
Three of as were talking about Adam and
his fall.
The point of the discussion was the ap
parent impossibility that a perfect man like
Adam could commit sin.
But he wasen’t perfect, said one of the
j three.
j Wasen’t perfect, we ejaculated in amaze
j meat.
j No, sir, he wasen’t perfect, repeated our
commentator.
What do yon mean? we asked.
Well, answered the authority, he was
I made perfect, 1 admit, but he diden’t stay
! perfect,
i llow?
| Why, wa3 not o.ie of bs ribs removed?
j If he was perfect with a'd his ribs, lie was
i uot perfect after losing oil), was he,
| say?
! Our say was silence. YVe were convin
j ced, then, that the woman was the cause
|of man’s original imperfection. —OazsHp
j ( England) Observer.
Wo arc authorized to announce the
name of R. P. M. MANN, as a candidate
(independent) for the office of sheriff of
Spalding county at the ensuing January
election.
figyNOTICE.—The undersigned takes
the present method of announcing himself
a Candidate for the office of Tax Collector
at the election in January next, forstli
County of Pike. AARON HAMIC.
Dec. 1), 1853.
We are authorized to announce the name
of BENJAMIN P. MILNER, as a can
date (independent) for the office of Tax
Collector, of Pike county, at the ensuing
January election.
(£/-Weare requested to announce the
name of Wm. A. Ai>ams, as a candidate
fur Clerk f the Superior Court of Meri
wether county, at the election to tßke
place on the first Monday in January next.
YVe are authorized to announce the
name of A. M YVf.bb, as a candidate for
the office of Clerk of the Inferior Court
ot Meriwether county, at the ensuing Jim
ary election
No. 51.