ANNUAL EXHIBITION—ADDRESSES. 
147 
which any merchant or farmer might run a train of cars, on 
conforming to such regulations as should be prescribed. 
To illustrate, suppose the government should budd a rail¬ 
road with two or four tracks from Chicago to New York, and 
throw it open to public use, under certain regulations as to 
use, and at certain rates of toll to be paid by any person run¬ 
ning a train upon the road. It would thus be in the power of 
the government to regulate the carrying business which is so 
important an element in domestic commerce, so as fully to pro¬ 
tect the people. The power to do this is unquestionable. If 
any man doubts the power as a regulation of commeece, there 
is no doubt of the power of congress to build a military road^ 
with four iron traeks from Chicago to New York ; and when 
not actually required for the transhipment of troops or military 
supplies, to authorize its use at certain rates of toll by private 
individuals. Our navy is employed not only in protecting 
our foreign commerce but in succoring merchant vessels in dis¬ 
tress ; and no doubt might be employed, when not needed for 
national defence, in any way to promote national prosperity. 
But, conceding the power, it will be said there are many ob¬ 
jections to be urged against it. Undoubtedly ; but the ques¬ 
tion is, whether there are more blessings to be expected than 
dangers to be apprehended. 
(1.) It may be said that it would increase the patronage of • 
the general government which is already very great. Admit 
it; would not the same reasoning abolish the post office depart¬ 
ment? Oh, says the objector, the post office is a necessity. 
Preeisely; and the question is whether the railroad, also, will 
not soon become a necessity. 
(2.) It may be said that the expense of such a work would 
be mueh greater if executed by the government than by pri¬ 
vate individuals. This I do not admit; nor do I believe it. 
Should the government be compelled by the course of busi¬ 
ness in the country to enter upon such an enterprise, it would 
possess many advantages over private persons in the same 
field. It would do things upon a larger and safer basis; and 
having sufficient capital could afford, as a poor man cannot, to 
