The Yazoo Democrat., 1853-08-03
Mnn IeG. Davis.

the opening OF The Crystal Palace, they were
called upon to address the citizens of several
places as they were passing through. The speech
es of the President, and the Cabinet members
were well timed and powerful. They were all
Of national--not political character. Below
we give the speech of our noble Mississippi rep
resentative in the Cabinet, whose name heads
this article. which was delivered at Philadelphia.
1t will be seen that Davis as stricta constructions
ist as he is considers the importance, aye, neces
sity of more easy and expeditions communica
ton between the Atlantic and Pacific States,
fully justify the general government in engaging
in the construction of Railroad across the
Rocky Mountains. He asserts-and very cor
rectly too-that this government could not pos
sibly defend her Pacific possessions against an
invading army, under present circumstances
That it would require all the army and navy OF
the United States to keep open the present roads
to California, leaving no body to protect that
country This may all be treated ss matter of
speculation, now that we are at peace, but in
peace we should prepare for war. Can we ex-
pect to enjoy peace with the whole world, g and
the rest of mankind" forever Before we fold
our arms and hum over the song of eternal peace
and quietude, let us cast mere glance back over
the pages of more than five thousand years, and
see what has been the average length of peace by
those who have lived before us. Listen not to
the song of that s. rim whose cry is peace peace
there is no peace!!
But we will no longer detain the reader from
the words of him who stands as the sentinel up
on the watch-tower of the age, guiding BY his
mighty genius, the army Of progress" DER the
difficult, but certain road to Manifest Destiny
After sundry speeches, and tossts to the Cab
met" Davis was loudly called upon to address
the multitude, who had assembled to pay their
respects to the President and suite, when
arose and spoke as follows:
Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS said, that OH the part
of those members of the Cabinet present, he rose
to return their sincere thanks for the com
ment rendered them. They stood in the attitude
of those who enjoy the advantage of reflected
light; yet-the thought that they were entitled
to the considerations of those present, because
they were members of the Cabinet Ii was ra
ther because they were American citizens, and
brought within the circle of Pennsy lvania hospi
tality, that compliments had been bestowed on
them. (Applause.) Pennsylvania hospitality
not to be limited hereafter, as it had been
heretofore, by the slow progress of the old way
on and Conestoga horse, nor by the yet more rap
id march of the coach, nor by the yet more
rapid march of the Railroad No! Penn-l
sylvania was tied by lightning to every portion |
of the United States, aud with hertoaI and iron,
she was about TO establish commercial relations
with the slope OF the Pacific, and 10 look over
into that unknown region ofsAsia, which in
wolves China and Persia. (Tfemedous cheering,
which prevailed Tor many minhtes.) They knew
that he belonged to the Strict Construction
School, which never turned to the right nor to
the left, TO serve any purpose of expediency
The President interposed that he knew he
would not.
Mr. DAVIS (resuming) Within the limits of
the State they would touch nothing. and he
spoke not for himself alone, but his honored
chief himself. (Applause.) But when they
looked TO their recent possessions in the slope of
the Pacific, there were two things which arres-
ted attention. Upon the pages of history moth
ing is marked more steadily than that, running
back to the remotest antiquity, mountains of di-
Vlded nations, that as the light or shadow fell
upon the one side or the other, so would the
character OF men be modified and government
changed. But had it not been in the progress of
mind in its conflict with matter that the United
States had advanced, had gained additional force.
md had they not reached the period when thev
;ould triumph over this natural obstacle. when :
hey could skip the mountains, tunnel them or
'ass them by any means known TO civil enoi-
leerings binding men together, so that the fiuc-
uations o. life should become to them as moth
ng (Great applause.) He had said that he
vas strict constructionist, but he had also !
nocked the idea that the constitution had one :
obstruction within the limits of the United .
tates, and another outside of them. (Applause J e
te had always Knocked the idea that this govern i
lent could build road outside of the United |
tates. and could not build one within it. (Greatl s
ppIause.) There was another question which Il
lvolved the question of the integrity of the Pa
fc possessions, but there was still another-a ,
oser question to which he knew the heart of
ennsylvania would respond-it was the oues- D
on OF protection which in her strength she had u
ways shown herself willing to throw over the y
eaK. Ii the Paclfc possessions should be 'e
reatened by hostile feet the Government al
ould have no navy there to interpose for their III
election; and if that hostile feet belonged to
ch power as England and France, it would
ze ell the MY of the United States to keep Gi
I'd open which would cross either of the 18TH SC
Uses of this continent And while the navy - -
the United States was thus employed, what Hi
'uld be more easy than for such maratime TT
yver aS either of thee a. -.:1 -