Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-03-05

aelsaf warrant saa BE- found In ne Oonstitu-
uon. Ameng these might mention the ex.
tinguishment Of the public debt 4 reason.b le
increase of the navy, which is at present in
adequate to the protection of our vast tonps "a
afost, now greater than that of any otb.r ne.
tion, ss we'll ~ to the defence Of our extsnded
ssacoast.
II is beyond all question the true pripcipls
| that no more revenue ought to be collected
from the people th'n the anoutt necessary to
dsffay the Expenses OF wise, economical.
and efhcient administration Of the Govern.
ment To reach this point il was necessary to
resort 10 q modification Of the tariff; and this
has, trust, been accomplished in such man
ner as TO do as little injury as may have been
practicable to our domestic manufactures, es.
pscially those necessary for the defence Of the
country. Any discrimination against par
ticular branch, for the purpose Of benefting
would have been Unjust to the rest Of the COM
nunity and ineonsistent with that spirit of
fairness and equality which ought to govern
in the adjustment Of revenue tariff
But the squandering Of the public money
SINKS into comparative insigni6csnce ss Q
temptation to corruption when compare with
the squandering Of the public lands. No ma
with 30 rich and noble an Inheritance o. v
enjoy In the public lands. In administerin |,
this important trust, whilst il may be wise !,
grant portions Of them for the improvement Of
the remainder, yet We should never forget
that 1t is our cardinal policy TO reserve these
lands Is much as may be for actual settlers
and this0at moderate prices. We shall thus
not only best promote the prosperity Of the
new States and Territories by furnishing them
q hardy and independent race of honest and
industrious citizens, but shall secure homes
Tor our children and our children's children,
ss we'll 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 emigrants have
done much to promote the growth and pros.
perity Of the country. They have proved
faithful both in peace and In war. After be-
coming citixens they are entitled, under the
Constitution and laws, to be placed on Q per.
feet equality with nstive-born citizens, and in
this character they should ever be kindly 70.
cogniscd.
The Federal Constitution is q grant from
tho 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
beginning. Without entering into the argu
meut, desire to state, at the commencement
Of my Administration, that long experience
and observation have convinced me that q
strict construction Of the powers of the Gov
eroment is the only true, as we'll as the only
sale, theory of the Constitution. Whenever,
in our past history, doubtful powers have been
exercised by Congress, these have never failed
to produce injurious and unhappy consequen
ces Many such instances might be adduced
II this were the proper occasion. Neither 10
1t necessary for the public service to strain the
language Of the Constitution because all the
great and useful powers required for q sue
cessful administration of the Govern mept. both
a nd IN ~ hovo h>a -
In express terms or by the plsinest implication
Whilst deeply convinced Of these truths, vet
con slider it clear that, under the War-makipp
POWER, Congress may appropriate money to
wards the construction Of n military road,
when thisi absolutely necessary for the de-
fence of any State or Territory of the Union
against foreign invasion. Under the Consti-
''to raise and support armies DC to provide or d
maintain navy" and TO call forth the militia
to "fepel invasiops." Thus endowed, in an
ample manner, with the war-making power,
the corresponding duty is required that " the
United States shall protect each Of them 1.-THE
States) against invasion I" Now, how is IL
p,ssible to afford this protection to California
and our Pacific possessions, Sscept bv means
of military road through the Territories of |
t1e United States, over which men and mu-
itions of war may be speedily transported |
from the Atlantic States to meet and repel /
the invader? In the event of a war with |
naval power much stronger than our own, we |
8 mould then have no other available access to |
the Pacific coast; because such Power would |
instantly cloie the route across the isthmus of |
Central America. 1t lie impossible to conceive /
that, whilst the Constitution has expressly
required Congress to defend all the States,
1t should yet deny to them, by any fair |
construction, the only possible means by /
which one of these States can be defended /
Besides, the G,v,rnment, ever since its orr /
gin, has been in the constant practice of con
structing military roads. 1t might also be /
wise to consider whether the love for the /
Union which now animates our fellow citi.
zsns on 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 accomplishing |
this great and necessary work. believe that |
N any OF the difficulties in the way which now
appear formidable will, in a great degree,
vanish as soon as the nearest and best route
shall have been satisfactorily sscertsined.
1t may be proper that, on this occasion, L |
should make some brief remarks in regard to
our rights and duties as member of the great |
family Of nations. In our intercourse with
them there are some plain principles, approx.
ed BY our own experience, from which we
SHOULD never depart We ought to cultivate
peace, commerce, and friendship with all ma.
tions, and this not merely as the best mears |
OF promoting our own material interests, but
in spirit of Christian beneyolence towards
our fellow men, wherever their lot may be
cast. Our diplomacy should be direct and
frank, neither seeking to obtain more nor &C.
cepting less than is our due. We ought to
cherish sacred regard for the independence
of all nations, and never attempt to interfere
Ia the domestic concerns of any, unless this
shall Dc imperatively required by the great
Law of self preservation. To avoid entanSIine
alliances has been a maxim of our policy ever
since the days of Washington, and its wisdom
no one will attempt to dispute. In short, We
ought to do justice, in kindly spirit, 10 all
nations, and require justice from them in re-
turn.
1t lie our glory that, whilst other nations
have extended their dominions by the sword,
We have never acquired any territory except