The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-03-11

Witnessed. Ths ffade IL condpcied on rtit-
roads and canals On noble rivefs and srusoI
the sea, which bind iogslher ths Nor,b and
the South, The East aEd she Wesi ofont Com
federacy. Annihila,e Ibis trade, aErest lis
free progress BY ihe geographical lines Of
jealous aud hostile States, and you destroy
tte prosperity and onward march of lae whole
aud every part, and involve all in one COM
mon ruin. But such considerations, import
ant as they are in themselves, sink into in.
significance, when wesefect on The terrific
evils which would result from disunion 10
every portion Of the confsderacy To the
North not more than TO the South--to the
Fast not more than 10 the West. These
shall not atemptio portray, because [ feel
an humble confidence, tina, the kind Pfov!-
dencs wh;ch inspired our fathers with wis
dom 10 frame The most perfect form Of Gov
ernmen, and Union ever devised by man,
will not suffer il TO perish, until Il shah have
been peacefully instrumental, by It's exam.
Piles. in the extension of civil and religious
liberty throughout the world. '
Next In Importance to the maintenance Of
The Constitution and the Union, is the dnty of
preserving the Government, free from the
taiot or even the suspicion Of corrupton.--
Public virtue is The vital spirit of Republics /;
and history proves that when this has decay
ed and the love of money has usutped lis
place, although the forms of free Government
may remain Tor seas on, the substance has
departed forever.
Our present financial condition is without
parallel in history No nation has ever be.
fore been embarrassed from loo large sur.
plus in its treasury. This almost necessarily
gives birth to exirsvagant legislation II
PRODUCES wild schemes of expenditures and
begets race Of speculaiors and jobbers,
whose ingenuity is exsrted in conlnvirg and
promoting expedienls TO obtain public mon
ey. The purity Of official agents, whether
rishlfully or wronsfuily, is suspected, aud
the character Of the Government, suffers in
The estimation Of The people. This is in itself
a very great evil The natural mode of relieI
from this embarrassment is 10 appropriate the
surplus in the Treasury to great national OBJ
| jecls, for which o clear warrant can be found
in the Constitution. Among these nigh,
mention ihe extingpishmenl Of the public
debi, reasonable increase Of the Navy
which is at preseEt inadequate TO the protec.
ton Of our vast tonnage afoat, now greater
than that OF any other nation--as we'll as 10
the defence of our extensive sea coast. Il il
bey oni all question the principle that nc
more revenue ought 10 be collected ftom the
people than the amount necessary 10 defray
The expenses Of a wise, economical and eff
cienl administration Of The government. To
reach this point, it was necessary to resort 10
modification Of the tariff, and lhjShas,
trust, been accomplished in such manner
as 10 do as little injury as may have been
! practicable 20 our domestic manufactures
especially those necessary for the defence Of
the country. Any discrimination against q
particular branch for the purpose o! benefit
ring favored corporations, individuals or irier.
esls, would have been unjust 10 the rest oil
the community, and inconsistent with thai
| rpir;. of fsisas..- ..si-Aaaalily- -rshiah asshi
! 10 govern in the adjustment OF a revenue tar
iff. Bu.lhs squanderng of the public money
siEks into comparative insenificance, as 9
temptation TO corruption, when compared
with the squandering OF the public lands. Nc
nation in the tide of time has ever besn bless
ed with so rich and noble an inheritance a'
we enjoy in The Public Lards. In admins
iering this important trust whilst II may bs
wise to grant portions Of them for the i'm
provement Of the remainder, yet we should
never forget that it is our cardinal policy t.
preserve these lands, as much as may be
for actual settlers, and this al moderate pri
ces We shall thus not only best promote
the prosperity Of the new States and Terrific
ries, by furnishing them hardy and indie
pendent race Of hardy and industrious CHI
zsns, but shall secure homes for our childrer
ard our children's children, as well as 70
those exiles from foreign shores who maj
seek in this country to improve their condi
tion and 10 enjoy the blessings Of civil an,
! religious liberty. Such emigfanls have don't
.puch to promote the growth and prosperity
of the country. They have proved faithful
both IN peace and IN war. Alter becoming cit
il ems they are entitled under The constitution
anil laws, 10 be placed on perfect equality
with native born citizens; and in this char
ac,er t,,ey should ever be kindly recognized
The Fe.deyal constitution is grant from ths
States TO Congress 10 certain specific powers
and the question whether this grant shoul,
be literally o. striclly construsd, has more o
less divided POI iticai parties from the begin
ming. Without entering into the argument
desire 10 stale, at the commencement o
my administration, ii long experience ant
observation have convinced me that stric
construction of The powers of the Govern men
is the only true, as well as tie only safe the
ory Of the Constitution. Whenever, in ouI
pas. history, doubtful powers have been ex
ercised by Congress, these have never failed
10 produce Injurious and unhappy consequen.
ces. Many such instances might be addu'
ced, if this were the proper occasion. Nei.
ther is il necessary for the public service 10
strain the language of the Constitution, be.
cause ell The srea, and useful powers requi-
red for a successful administration OF tho
Government, both in peace and in war, have
t.l L..