The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-03-19

'ne extension OF civil and religious liberty
throughout the world. ..a.r -.
Next in Importance to the maintainance
OF the Constitution and the Union, is the
duty Of ofpreserving the government free from
the taint or even the suspicion Of corruption.
Public virtue is the vital spirit Of Republics,
and history proves that when this has de-
cayed and the love Of money has usurped its
place, although the forms Of free government
may remain for season, the substance has
departed forever. Our p,ssent financial con.
dit'on Is without parallel In history, No
Nation has ever before been embarrassed
from too large surplus in the treasury. .
This almost necessarily gives birth to ex.
travagant legislation. 1t produces wild
schemes of expenditures, and begets race
OF spectators and jobbers, whose ingenuity
Is exersed in contriving and promotinr ex.
pedients to obtain the public money. The
party through its official agents, Whether
riIghttully or wrongfully, is suspected. and
the character of the Government sufFers in
me estimation of the people. This is in it
sell very great evil. The natural mode of
relief from this embarrassment, is to appro
pirate 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; u reasonable Increase of
the Navy, which is at present inadequate to
the protection of our vast tonare ahoat-
now greater than that Of any Other nation
as well as the defence Of our extended sea
coast.
1t is beyond all question the true pr;nci-
pie that no more revenue ought to be col
lccted from the people than the amount nee
essary TO defray the expenses Of a wise. eco
nonical, and efficient administration Of the
government. To reach this point it was
necessary to resort TO a modification of the
'ariti, aud tins has been accomplished in
such manner 10 as. little injury as may
nave been practical to our domestic manu-
factures, especially those necessary for the
deience OF The country. Any discrimination
against particular branch for the purpose
OF benehttlng favored corporations, individ-
uais 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
a revenue tariff; but the squandering of the
public money sinks into comparative insig
nihcance, as temptation to corruption,
when compared with the squandering of the
pubic lands. No nation in the tide of time
has ever been blessed with SO rich and noble
an inheritance as we enjoy in the public
lands.
In administering this important trust.
whilst 1t may be wise TO grant portions of
them for the improvement of the remainder.
yet we should never forget that it is our
cardinal policy to reserve these lands as
much as may be. for actual settlers, and this
at moderate prices. We shall thus not on
y best promote the prosperity of the new
States by furnishing them hardy and in.
dependent race of honest and industrious
citizens, but shall secure homes for our chi!
dreD, and our ehildren's children, as well as
for those oxiles from foreign shores. who
may seek in this country to improve their
condition, and to enjoy the blessings of civ.
il and religious liberty. Such emigrants
have done much to promote the growth and
prosperity of the country. They have prov
ed 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 grant from
the States to Congress to certain specific
powers, and the question whether this grant
shall be literally or strictly construed has
more or less, divided political parties from
the beginning. WitLout entering into the
argument, desire to state at the commence.
ment Of my administration, that long expe
rience and observation has convinced me
that strict construction 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 pow
ers have been exercised by Congress, they
have meyer failed TO produce injuries and un
happy 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 foi successful administra
ton of the government, both in peace and
in war, have been granted either 10 express
terms or by the plainest implication.
Whilst deeply convinced Of these truths
yet consider It clear, that under the war
making power Congress may appropriate
money towards the construction of 3 militia
ry road, whep this is absolutely necessary
for lhe defence Of any State or Territory OF
the Union against foreign invasion. Under
| the Constitution Congress has power 10 de-