The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-05


tors and obbers whose ingenuity e1erted in eontryipg
and promoting eIpedients to obtain public money The
purity of official agents whether righthy or wrcngfully
is suspected and the character Of the government suffers
the estimation Of the people This is in itself very
s,.reat evil
The oo Of relief from this embarrassment TO
appropriate the surplus in the " s''A'
Objects for which clear warrant can be founu =
| constitution. Among these might mention the erin-
guishsnt Of the public debts reasonable increase Of the
navy which present inadequate to the protection Of
our vast tonnage ahoa now greater than that Of any
other nation well the defence of oar extended sea-
coast
II is beyond all question the principle that
ought be collected from the people than the
amount necessary to defay the expenses of wise,
nomica, and efficient administration of the government
To reach this point was necessary To modf
cation Of the tariff aud this has trust been accomplished
such to do little injury may haze been
practicable TO domestic manufactures especially those
necessary for the defence of the country Any dscrmina
ton against particular branch for the purpose Of bene
6ng favored corporations individuals interests would
have been unjust TO the of the community ncon
sistent with that spirit Of fairness and equality which
ought 10 govern in the adjustment of a tariff
But the squsndering of the public money sinks into
paratve nsigni6c2nce temptation to corruption when
compared with the squanderiDg Of the public lands
No nation in the tide Of time has bsen blessed wi h
rich and noble Inheritance as enjoy In the public
lands. In administering this important trust whilst it
may be wise to grant portions othem for the mpro
of the remainder Jet we should never forget that
cardinal policy these lands as much is indy
be- for actual settlers and this moderate prices We shall
TINS not only best promote the prosperity of the States
and Territories by furnishing them hardy and ndepsnd-
Of honest and industrious citizens shall secure
homes for children and our chidrens children as well
for those exes from foreign shores who may seek in this
country improve their condition. and to enjoy the bless
ings Of civil and religious liberty. Such emigrans have
done much promote the growth and prosperity Of the
country They have proved faithful both peace and in
After becoming citizens they are entitled under tbs
CONSTITUTE and laws placed pere equality with
natveborn citizens and in this character they should
ever be kindly recognised.
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 less divided political parties from the begin
ming. Without entering into the argument desire to
state at the commencement of my administration, that
construction of the powers of The is the
only true well the Only SAFE theory of tas con ttu-
ton Whenever in past history, doubtful powers have
been exercised by Congress these have never failed to pro-
duce injurious and unhappy consequences Many such in
might be adduced il this the proper occasion
Neither it necessary for the public service to strain the
language of the constitution because all the great and
powers required for successful adm nistraton Of
the government both in peace and in war, have been
granted either in express terms by the plaines imp
/ cation,
Whilst deeply convinced Of thess truths YET consider
it clear that under the war-making power Congress may
appropriate money towards the construction of military
road when this is absolutely necessary for the defence
any State Territory of hs Union against foreign inva
sion Under the constitution Congress has power to de-
clare war; to raise and support armies to provide
and maintain navy and to call forth the militia TO
4 pei invasons.' Thus endowed in al ample manner.
/ with the war-makng power, the corresponding duty
is required that the United States sha protect each
of them 1.-THE Sates against invasion Now how is it DOS
sble to afford this protection California and our Pacific
possessions except by of military road through the
Territories of the United States over which men and NUM-
tons Of may be speedily transported from the Allan
tic States to meet and to rspel the invader? In the
4 event of with naya, power much stronger than
own should then have no other available
to the Pacific coast because such power would instantly
close the route the ishmus of Central America II
impossible To conceive that whilst the constitution hss
expressly required Congress- defend States il should
deny to thsm any fair construction the only possible
means by which of these States can be defended Be-
sides the government since its origin has been in the
constant practice of constructing military roads II might
be wise to consider whether the love for the Union
which animates our feIlow-citizens on the Pacific
may not be impaired by neglect o. refusal to
vide for them in their and isolated condition the
only BY which the power Of the States on this side
Of the Rocky mountains reach them in sufficient time
to "protect" them against invasion orbear for III.
present from expressing opinion to the wisest and
most economical mode in which the government can lend
its aid in accomplishing this great and necessary work
believe that many of the difficulties in the way which
now appear formidable WILL in great degree vanish as
the nearest and best shall have been s.sac
| torily ascertained.
II may be proper that this occasion should make
brief remarks in regard rights and duties a.
member of the great family of nations In our intercourse
with them there plain principles approved by
ne1perence from which should never depar We
ought to cultivate peace commerce. and friendship with Ali
nations and this not merely the best means of promo
ting material interests but in rpirt of Chr;,
tan benevoence towards felowmeu wherever their