187 



influence in some degree those who want the honors and emol- 

 uments of office, too often induces them to forego important 

 improvements because of their expense: or, with a view to 

 disarming opposition and securing good will, to adopt a sort of 

 half-wajr measures, which fail of their proper object and serve 

 essentially to defeat, for years, the substantial improvements de- 

 sired. It was much better under the early provisions of the 

 law, when the appointment of commissioners rested exclusively 

 with the Executive of the State, and they were in a great de- 

 gree independent of the people ; but this did not suit the tem- 

 per of the times. Private rights should be always sedulously 

 protected ; but where the public good obviously demands their 

 surrender, there should be no hesitation in compelling it. This 

 is the only ground on which we can rest for the security and 

 advancement of the general welfare. Where a just compensa- 

 tion is made for any sacrifice required, there may be reasons for 

 regret but no just cause of complaint. In all matters wherein 

 private interests conflict with the public good, it is important 

 that such questions should be decided by an impartial and inde- 

 pendent tribunal ; but a tribunal can scarcely be expected to be 

 impartial and independent where power rests directly upon pri- 

 vate interest or popular caprice. The importance of good roads to 

 a town or county is seldom sufficiently appreciated. The conve- 

 nience, the saving of time and the saving of expense, are consid- 

 erable ; but more than that, the condition of its roads and of 

 its schoolhouses, and of every thing else of a public nature, 

 materially concerns the character of the people and essentially 

 affects the value of property. 



XXX. Natural Scenery. — I am unwilling to close this 

 report on the agricultural condition of Franklin county, with- 

 out adverting to the charming and picturesque scenery of this 

 region. Its hills are beautiful, its valleys are beautiful ; and 

 within my knowledge it would be difficult to find a country, 

 of no larger extent, combining more of what is attractive in 

 the natural world and presenting more objects to please the 



