Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-03-11

agents, WneIncr rlHntlully UT WFolSlullI IL sus-
pected, and the character of the government sut-
fers in the estimation of the people. This is i'll
itself a very great evil.
The natural mode of relief from this embar-
raSsment is to appropriate the surplus in the
treasury to great national objects, for which q
clear warrant can he found in the constitution.
Among these I might mention the extingush-
ment of the public debt, q reasonable increase of
the navy, which is at present inadequate to the
protection of our vast tonnage ah0at, now grea-
ter than that of any other nation, as we'll as to
the defence Of our extended sea-coast
It is beyond all question The true principle
that no more revenue ought to be COLLECTED from
the people than The amount necessary 10 detray
the expenses of 4 wise, economical, aud efficient
administration of the government. To reach
| this pon it was necessary 10 resort to mndih-
cation of the tariff, aud this has, trust, been
accomplished in such manner as to do as little
injury as may have been practicable to our do.
mes.ic manufactures, especially those necessary
for the defence of the country. Any di>crm
nation against particular branch, for the pur
pose of brnc6ting favored corporations, indi-
viduals or interests, would have been unjust to
The rest of the community, and Inconsistent
with that spirit of fairness and equality which
ought 10 govern in the adjustment OF u revenue
tariff.
But the squanderine of the public money
sinks into comparative insignificance as temp.
ta,iun to corruption when compared with the
squ#udering of the public lands
| No nation in the tide Of time has ever been
blessed with 40 rich and noble in inheritance as
We enjoy in the public lands. In administering
this important trust, whilst it may be wise to
grant porions of them for The improvement; Of
the remainder, yet we should never furget that
| it is our cardinal policy to reserve these lands.
as much us 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 a hardy and in
| dependent race Of honest and induSrlou. ciIi.
zens but shall secure homes for our children
and for our chdren's children, as we'll as for
those exi!es from foreign shores who may seek
! in this country 10 improve their condition, aud
To enjoy the blessings Of civil and religious lib
erty. Such cmgranIs have done much 10 pro-
mote 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 constitution and laws, to BE- placed on
perfect equality with native-born citizens and
in thi, character they should ever be kindly re.
cognized
The federal constitution is grant from the
States to Congress Of certain specific powers ;
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 argument, desire To
state, al the commencement of my adrainislra-
ton, that long experience ard "b>ervation have
convinced me that strict construction Of the
| r,I,, plv fru,
we'll as the only safe, theory OF the constitution
| Whenever, in our past history, doubtful p,wers
have been exercised by Congress. these have
never failed 10 produce injurious ard unhappy
consequences Many such Instances might be
| adiuc.d. if this Were the prop,r occasion.
Neither is it necessary for the public service TO
strain the language OF the constitution ; becau>r
| all he great and useful powers required fer i
| successful administration OF the government,
both in peace and in war, have been granted.
ri:her in express terms or by the planesl imrIi-
| cation.
Whilst deeply convinced of these truths,
vet consider il clear that. under the war-making
aower, Congress may appropriate money TO-
wards The cons rurlnn nf 4 military road. when
this is absolutely necessary f"r tie defence of
ANY State or Territory Of the Union against for.
pign invasion. Under the constitution Congress
has power 10 declare wal" :" to raise and sup
part armies" -" to provide aud ma:nlain navy"
and to call forth the militia to "repe nvasinns.
Thus endowed, in an ample manner. with the
war m king power, the corresponding duty Is
required that the United Sraes shall protect
e cil of them the States against inva>inn."
Nnw, how is it possible tn afford this protection
to California and our Pacific possessions, except
by means Of military road through the Terri
tories Of the United States. over which men
and munitions of war may be speedily trans.
ported from the Atlantic States to meet and
repe the invader? In the event of war with
n naval power much stronger than our nwn. we
should then have no other available access to
The Pacific coast, brcause such power would
instantly close the route across the i>thmus of
Central America. 1t is impossible to conceive
that, whilst the constitution has expressly re-
qnred Congress to defend the States, il should
DENY to them, by any fair construction, the only
possible means by which one of these States
-;,n be defended. Besides tn. government, ever
since its origin, has been in the constant prac
lice Of constructing military roads. II might
also be wise to consider whether the love for
the Union which now animatcs our tellow.rili.
zrns on the Pacific coast may not be impaired
by neglect or refusal to provide for them in
their remote and isolated condition. the only
mans by which the power Of The States. on this
of the Rocky Mountains. can reach hem in sulli-
cient time To protect" them against INVASION
forbear for the present from expressing an
opinion rs to The wisest and most economical
more in which the government can lend its aid
in accomplishing this great and necessary work
believe that many Of the difficulties in the oeay
which now appear formidable, will, in Il great
'egree, vanish as soon as the nearest and best
route shall have been satisfactorily ascertuned
1t may be proper that, on this OCCASION, |
should make some 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 rs the best means of promoting our own
material interests, but in spirit of Christian
benevolerce towards our fellow-men, wherever
their LOT may be cast. Our diplomacy should
be direct and frank, neither seeking to obtain
more nor accepting less than is our due. We
ought to cherish sacred regard for the inde-
pendence of all nations, and never attempt to
interfere in The domestic concerns of any, un-
less this shall be imperatiyely required by the !