Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-08-18

SoNcTNIneIl. lHc CONSTITUTION authorizes |
Congress 10 raise revenue for the common !
defence: it guarantees 10 every State pro-
lection against invasion or insurrcctsn.-j
Armies, navies, and Notifications are the
more obvious means by which these oblga-
tions of the Federal Government are to be
satisfied; but it does not follow that they
The only Legitimate and constitutional means.
California is entitled to the protection Of
the Federal arm 10 secure her against dan
ger from without and within.
How is this protection to be provded?--
Can it be done eflectually by stationing large
armies and erecting Notifications on the
Pacific coast? That may be possible; and
SO it might be possible to increase our navy
to such an extent as TO protect her from ag-
gressions from abroad; but looking at the
actual condition of the Stale, its location on
seaboard, the inadequacy of its population
10 repel foreign invasion. its immense dis
tance from the militia Of the other States,
and the character of the Intervening coun-
try, we cannot suppose that any one would
deny that a railroad would furnish a more
certain and reliable means Of protection and
defence than the standing army, navy, and
Notifications, all combined. Indeed ;le do
not see how we can give to all the circun-
stances their full consideration without be-
ing forced TO the conclusion that a railroad
TO the Pacific furnishes the only perfect
fortfcation to California Let us not for
get, whilst our Federal Government is
bound 10 protect the just rights of every
citizen in any quarter of Tire globe, and 10
this end may lawfully command the entire
military and naval power of the Govern
ment, so also does the obligation TO protect
the States attach to every square foot Of
territory of every State; and under this
broad national obligation California can
righttully demand efiectual protection.
Congress may answer tbs dc:narl by
, standing armies, or stationed naval force, or
by Notifications, or by all combined, if they
are necessary; and upon exactly the same
principle railroad may be resortcd 10, eth
er singly or in combination with one or all
of the other modes of defence, If necessary
for the end to be accomplished. The pow
cr, then, to give the proper aid exists in
Congress, if q railroad to the Pac,Gci is nee
essary for the common defence, and for the
protection of California; and il is necessary
unless it can be shown that some other
means of defence and protection may be
J equally eliectua. We have stated the cir
, cumstances which convince us that the ar
my, navy and Notifications are less eGectual.
: and we can conceive Of no other means. un-
: less we are prepared to rely on securing
! the benefits Of railroad through Mexican
territory, in conneXon with water trans
= portation, as n means Of common defence
: and protection 70 cur Pacific possessions:
but this suggestion could hardly deserve q
moments consideration as a permanent re-
lance for defence and protection. Gu,
2 mind therefore, reposes confidently on the
n conviction that there is no constitutional
2 obstacle in the way of an appropriation BY
Congress; and in reachinr this conclusion
we feel perfectly satisfied that we are
standing firmly upon the principles Of con
= stitutional construction laid down Ly tbs
'straighe5t sect Of Democracy
Il II is MOTTO be overlooked that upon any
e route proposed for the Railroad the great
u difficulty in heway Of its comfiction is to b,
found nthe passage ofrs main trunk through
= territory not yet erected into States. So ia
as its passage through States is concerned, i
e is scarcely necessary to say that no question
C Of constitutional power would be allowe;
= TO embarrass the enterprise, as these State
e would at once, and gladly, remove all diff
o Guilty growing ont Of their claim to exclu
n siye jurisdiction. lnthat view the guestio
/ of constitutional power becomes still les
= embarrassing, upon the doctrine which ha
/ been maintained By the most eminent of III
n State rights statemen as to the full powe
1t of the Federal Government 10 construc
e roads in our Territories. ii is, as we ur
h derstand, upon considerations of this char
l. acter that the cOnstitutiorality of the paciii
Il Railroad, as a measure Of defence and pre-
e lection, is maintained by both the distr
'e guished members of the Cabinet above re
Of ferred to, and especially by the Secretary {
'e War.
is In considering this proposition we car
Is not well over-estilnatc the weight of thos
circumstances in the actual condition of ou
n, possessions on the Pacific which strongl
p invite foreign aggression. 1t cannot |
as supposed that Our population on the wester
1t slope of the Rocky Mountains is insesib
" to this danger, and that they are not full
Ii alive to the claims which they have und