Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-03-14

no Pu'hy VI ohciti agents, Wnetner rlgnt-
fully OF wrongiully, is suspected, and the
character OF the Government suffers 10 the |
estimation Of the people. This is, in Itself, a
very great evil. The natural mode of relief
fron this embarrassment is to appropriate
the surplus in the treasury to great national
objects, for which a clear warrant can be
found in the Constitution. Among these ]
might mention the extnguishment of the
public debt a reasonable increase Of the Ma
w, which is at present inadequate TO .e pro-
lection Of our vast tonnage ahoat, now great
er than that Of any other nation, as we'll as TO
the defence Of our extensive sea coast. 1t is
beyond all question the true principle that
no more revenue ought to be collected from
the people than the amourt necessary to de-
fray the expenses of O wise. economical and
efheient administration Of the government -
10 reach this point, it was necessary TO resort
to modification of the tariff, aud this has,
trust, been accomplished in such manner as
to do as little injury us may have been prac
tlcable to our domestic manufactures, especi.
oily those necessary for the defence of the
country. Any discrimination against par.
tlcular branch for the purpose OF benetitting
favored corporations, individuals or interests,
would have been unjust to the rest OF the
community, and inconsistent 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 corSpari.ive insigni6cance, as tempta-
ton to Corruption when compared with the
squandering of the public lands. No nation
in the tide of time, has ever been blessed with
SO rich and noble an Inheritance as we enjoy
upon the Public Lands. In administering
this important trust, whilst it may be. wise to
grant portions Of them for the Improvement
pT "a ran Ipr pt NO
that. is our cardinal policy to preserve these
lands, as much as may be, for actual settlers,
and this at moderate prices. We shall thus
not only best promote the prosperity of the
new States and Territories, by furnishing
them hardy and independent race OF honest
and industrious citizens, but shall secure
homes for our children's children, as well as
for those exiles from foreign shores who may
seek in this country to improve their condi-
ton, and to enjoy the blessings of civil and
religious liberty. Such emigrants 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 Consttu.
and laws, to be placed on perfect equality
with native born citizens; and this character
they should ever be kindly recognized. The
Federal Constitution is a grant from the
/
aud 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,
i desire to state at the commencement of
my administration, that long experience and
observation have convinced me that a strict
construction of the powers of the Govern
ment is the only true, as well as the only safe
theory Of the Constition. Whatever, in our
| past history, doubtful powers have been exer-
csed by Congress, these have never failed TO
produce injurious and unhappy consequences.
| Many such instances might be adduced, if
this were the proper occasion neither is it
necessary for the public service to strain the
language of the Constitution, because all the
| great and useful powers required for a sue
cesstul administration Of the Government,
both in peace and liz war, have been granted
either in express terms, or by the p!ainest
implication. Whilst deeply convinced OF
these truths, yet consider it clear that un-
der the war-making power Congress may ap-
propriate money towards the construction Of
! q military road, when this is absolutely ne
cessary for the defence of any State or Terri
tory Of the Union against foreign INVASION
Under the Consultation, Congress has no
power ito declare war'-"to raise and sup
! port armies"-"to provide and maintain ma
W." and to call forth the militia to "repel in
vasion." Thus endowed in an ample manner
with the war making power the correspond
ing duty is required that 1.-The United States
shall protect each of them the States) against
! invasion" Now is it possible TO afford this
protection to California and our Pacific pos
sessions, except by means of a military road
through the Territories of the United States,
over which men and ammunition Of war may be
speedily transported from the Atlantic States
to meet and repel the invader. In the event
of war with u naval power much stronger
than our own, we should then have no other
available access to the Pacific coast, because
such power would instantly close the route
across the Isthmus of Central America. it
| is impossible to conceive, that whilst the
Constitution has expressly required Congress
to defend all the States, il should yet deny TO
them, by any fair construction, the only pos.
sible meaus by which one Of those States can
be defended Beside the Government. ever
since its origin. has been in the constan,
practice of constructing military roads. 1t
might also be wise 10 consider whether the
love for the Union which now animates our
relow~citizens on the Pacific coast, may not
be impaired by our neglect or refusal to pro.
vide for them in their remote and isulated
condition, the only means by which the pow
er 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 us to the wisest aud most econom
cal mode in which the Government can lend
its aid in accomplishing this great necessary
work. i believe that many of the dilicul
ties in the way, which now appear formidable
will in great degree vanish as soon us the
nearest and best route shall have been satislac
torily ascertained. 1T may he right, that OF
this occasion, shall make some brief re
marks in regard to our rights and duties as
member of the great family of nations. IL
our intercourse with them, there ARE some
plain principles approved by our own expe
rience from which We should never depart.
We ought to cultivate peace, Commerce
and friendship with all nations, and this, MOI
merely us the best means Of promoting oul
own material interests, but in spirit @
Christian beuevolence towards fellow mel
wherever their lot may be cast.
) Our diplomacy should be direct and frank
neither seeking 10 obtain more, nor accepting
less than is our due. We ought to cherish
sacred regard for the independence of all na