The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-03-21
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citizens but shall secure homes for our chill
dten and our childrcn's children, as well as for
those exiles from foreign shores who may seek
in this country to improve their condition and
to enjoy the blessings Of civil and religious
liberty. Such cmigrants have done much to
promote the growth and prosperity Of the
country. They have proved faithful both in
peace and in war. After becoming citizens
they are entitled, under the constitution and
laws, to be placed on perfect equality with
native.born citizens, and in this character they
should ever be kindly recognized.
The Federal Constitution is q grant from
the States to Congress Of certain specific pow.
ers; and the question whether this grant should
be literally or strictly construed has more or
less divided political parties from the begin.
ming. Without entering into the argument
desire to state, at the commencement Of my
administration, that long experience and OBJ
scrvation have convinced me that strict con.
4 struction Of the powers Of the government is
The only true as well as the only safe theory
of the Constitution. Whenever, in our past
history, doubtful powers have been exercised
by Congress. they have never failed to produce
injurious and unhappy consequences. Many
such instances might be adduced If this were
JIG proper OCCuSlOU. VcIJHcC Is u UeCcSSuTy
for the public service to strain the language
of the Constitution; brcause all the great and
useful powers required for q successful admins.
tration Of the government, both in peace and
in war, have been granted either in express
terms or by the plainest implication.
Whilst deeply convinced Of these truths.
yet consider it clear that, under the war-mak-
ing power, Congress may appropriate money
towards the construction Of military road,
when this is absolutely necessary for the de.
tense Of any State or Territory Of the Union
against foreign invasion. Under the Consti-
tuition Congress has power ito declare war"
Ito raise and support armies" "to provide and
maintain navy" and to cali forth the militia
to "repel Invasion" Thus endowed in an am.
pie manner with the war making power, the
corresponding duty is required that "the Uni.
ted States shall protect each Of them (the
States) against invasion" Now how is it pos
sible to afford this protection to California and
our Pacific possessions, except by means Of a
military road through the Territories Of the
United States, over which men and munitions
OF war may be speedily transported from the
Atlantic States to meet and repcl the invader?
In the event Of a war with q naval power
much stronger than our own we should then
uhSc Nv OtHcT uNuIldDIc dCccSS 10 Tue IuclHc
coast, because such a power would instantly
close the route across the Isthnus of Central
America. 1t is impossible to conceive that
whilst the Constitution has expressly required
Congress to defend all the States, it should yet
deny to them by any fair construction, the only
possible means by which one Of these States
can be defended. Besides the government,
ever since its origin, has been in the constant
nt:o oc ,.t;, -
might also be wise to consider whether the
love for the Union which now anilnates our
fellow.ctizens Oh the Pacific coast may not be
impaired by our neglect or refusal to provide
for them in their remote and isolated condition
the only means by which the power Of the
States on this side Of the Rocky Mountains
can reach them in sufficient time to protect"
them against invasion" forbear for the
present from expressing an opinion as to the
wisest and most economical mode in which
the government can lend its aid in accomplish
ing this great and necessary work believe
now appear Formidable, will, in great degree
vanish as soon as the nearest and best route
shall have been satisfactorily ascertained
1t may be proper that, on this occasion,
should make some brief remarks in regard to
IlSHto uiiu uuIics 40 iiIcIuDcT VI IIIc great
family Of nations. In Our intercourse with
them there are some plain principles approved
by our own experience 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 material interests, but in spirit
of christian benevolence towards our fellow
men wherever their lot may be cast. Our d.
plomacy should be direct and frank, neither
seeking to obtain more nor accepting less than
our due. We ought to cherish sacred regard
for the independence of all nations and never
attempt to interfere in the domestic concerns
Of any, unless this shall be impcratively re.
CURED by the great law Of sclfpreservotion.
To avoid entangling alliances has been II max.
i'm OF our policy ever since the days of Wash.
ington, and its wisdom no one will attempt to
dispute. In short, we ought to do justice in
kindly spirit to all nations, and require justice
from them in return.
1t is our glory that, whilst other nations
have extended their dominions by the sword
we have never acquired any territory except
by fair purchase Or as in the case of Texas