The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-03-11
,-otect each Of tho States against iuva

protect each Of tho States against inva.
sion.
How is it possible to efford this pro.
tectiop to California and our Pacific pos.
sessions. except by means of a military
road through tho territory of the United
States, over which men and munitions
of wur may be speedily transported from
the Atlantic States to meet and repel
the invader2
In case Of a war with naval power
much stronger than our own. We should
have no other available access to the
Pacific coast, because such power
would instantly close the route across
the Istbmus of Central America. 1t
is impossible to conceive that whilst the
Constitution has expressly required
Congress to defend all the States, it
should &c, deny to them. by any fair
constitution, the only possible means by
which one of these States can be defend
ed Besides the government, ever since
its origin, has been in the constant prao'
tice of constructing military roads.
It might also be wise to consider
whether the love for the Union. which
now animates our fellow citizens on the
Pacific coast may be impaired by our
neglect or refusal tn provide for them III
their rem o,e and isolated condition. The
only means by which the powers Of the
States on this side Of the Rocky Noun
taius, can reach them 10 sufficient time
to protec. them against invasion. l for
H. IL
opinion as to the wisest and most econo-
mical mode in which the government can
lend its aid in accomplishing this great
and necessary work. believe that
many difficulties which now appear
formidable, will in great degree vanish
rs soon as the nearest and best route
shall have been satisfactorily ascertain.
ed
It may be right that on this occasion
| should make some brief remarks as to
our rights and duties as member of the
great family of nations In our inter-
course with them there are some plain
principles approved by our own expsr-
fence from which we should never depart
We ought to cultivate peace, commerce
and friendship with all nations and this
not merely as the best means of promo.
ting our own national interest but in a
spirit of christian bcnevolence towards
our fellow men, wherever their lot may
be cast.
Our diplomacy should be direct and
frank neither seeking to obtain more nor
accepting less than is our due We
70 nhar ,uh Co al
independence of all nations. and never at.
tempt to interfere in tho domestic con
Germs of any. unless it shall be imper
atively required by the great law Of self
preservation. To avoid en'angling ALI
auces has been a maxim of our policy
ever since the days of Washington and
its wisdom, no one will attempt to dis
pute. In short wo ought to do justice
to all hations and require justice
from them in return. 1t is our glo
ry that while other nations have extend
ed their dominions by the sword, we have
never acquired any territory except by
fair purchase. or as in the case Of Texa!
by the voluntary determination of 9
,'.~u anu 'ruvpeuunut people tt
blend their des,inies with our own
Even our acquisitions from Mexico for M
no exception. Unwilling to take advan.
tage of the fortune Of war against a sis
ter Republic. We purchased these posses
sicDs, under the treaty of peace. for q
sum which was considered at the time O
fair equivalent.
Oar past history forbids that We shall
in the future acquire territory, unless il
be sanctioned by the laws of Justice and
honor. Acting on this principle. no ma
ticn will have right to interfere or com
plain, if in the progress of events we shall
still further extend our possessions.
Hitherto in all our acquisitions. the
people under the protection of the Amer
lean flag have enjoyed civil and religion.
liberty as we'll as equal and just laws, and
have been contentcd prosperous and
happy. Their trade with the rest of the
world has rapidly increased and thus
every commercial nation has shared
largely in their successful progress.
shall now proceed to take the oath pre-
scribed by the Constitution whilst hum.
bly, invoking tho blessing of the Divine
Providence on this great people.
JAMES BUCHANAN