Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-03-13

er. the corresponding duty is required
that "the United States shall protect
each of them Gthe States against inya-.
sion" Now. how is it possible to afford.
lthis protection to California and our Pa
cilic possessions. except by means OF o
military road through the Territories Of
the United States. over which men and
munitions Of war may besspeedify trans
ported from Che Atlantic Statesato meet
and to repel the invader In the event
Of war with naval power much stron;
| ger than our own. We should then have
no other available access to the Pacific
coast, because such power would in.
stantly close the route across the isthmus
iof Central America, Il 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 con-
slant, practice Of constructing military
roads II might also be wise to consider
whether the love for the Union which
now auimates our fellow citizens on the
Pacific coast may not be impaired by our
neglect or refusal to provide for them, IN
theft remote and isolated condition, the
only means by which the power Of the
States. on this side Of the Rocky noun
tains, can reach them in sufficient time TO
protect" them " against invasion" l
forbear for the present from expressing an
l ~ xrso arH n.
| mical mode in which the government can
lend its aid in accomplishing this great
and necessary work. believe that ma
ny of the difficulties in the way, which
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 occa~
sion, should make a few brief remarks
in regard to our rights and duties as a
member Of the 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 promoting our own material in>
terests, but in a spirit Of Christian bene.
violence towards our fellow men, wherever
their lot may be cast. Our diplomacy
should be direct and frank, neither seek
ing to obtain more nor accepting less than
is our due. We ought to cherish sa-
cred regard for the independence Of all
nations. and never attempt to Interfere in
the domestic concerns of any. unless this
shall be imperatively required by the
great law OF self-preservatiou. To avoid
entangling alliances has been maxim OF
our policy ever since the days Of Wash>
ington. and it's wisdom no one will at
tempt 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 terri.
tory except by fair purchase. or, rs in the
case OF Texas. by the voluntary determi
nation of brave, kindred and indepen-
dent people to blend their destinies with
our owu. Even our acquisitions from
r Mexico form no exception. Unwilling tc
take advantage Of the fortune Of wal
r against a sister republic. we purchased
: these possessions, under the treaty o
peace, for sum which was considered a
) the time fair equivalent. Our past his
t tory forbds that we shall in the future
} acquire territory. unless this be sanction
= ed by the laws of justice and honor. Ac
ting on this principle. no nation will have
G a right TO interfere or to complain if. il
: the progress of events. we shall still fur
. Their extend our possessions. Hitherto. il
e all our acquisitions. the people, under lh'
protection Of the American flag. have en-
r ioyed civil and religious liberty, as wei
q as equal and just laws. and have beer
c contented. prosperous. and happy. Thei
t trade with the rest of the world has ra
: pidly increased and thus every CONNER
f cial nation has shared largely in their sue
t cessful progress.
e I shall now proceed to take the oatl
: prescribed by the constitution. willis
= humbly invoking the blessing Of Divin
9 Providence on this great people.
= JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON CRY, 4th March, 1857.