Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-03-12

not deny 10 them BY auy fair construction the
Only possible nsaks BY which one Of these
s!alss can be defended. Besides. the Govern
neni, sFer since ils origin. has been Ia The
~eOusianl practice Of constructing Military Roads.
IL night also be wise TO consider whether The
love iot The Uaion which now animates our fet-
low citizens on The Pacific coast may not be
imPared 6y neglect or refusal to provide for
them In their remote and isolated condition, the
only means by which The power Of The States
on this side Of the Rocky Mountains can reach
them 10 time to protect them against invasion.
] forbear for The present from expressing an o.
Piniou As TO Ihe wisest aAd most ECONOMICAL
mode in which Government can lend its aid in
accomplishing this great and necessary work.
| believe that many difficulties in the way
which now appear formidable, will in a great
degree vanish as soon as the nearest and best
route shall be satisfactorily ascerlained.
1t may be right hat on this occasion | should
make sOms brief remarks as to Ut rights and
duIies as a member of the great family Of ma
tons. In our intercourse with them there are
some plain principles approved by our own
experience from Which we never should depart.
We ought to cultivate peace, Ommeree aud
friendship wnh all nations and this not mere
ly as The best means Of promoting our own
material interest but in a spirit of Christian be-
nevOlence 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 a sacred regard for the indie
pendeEce of all nations and never attempt to
interfere in The dOmesIi, concerns Of any unless
this shall be imperatively required BY the great
laws Of self preservation.
To avoid entangling alliances has been a
maxim of our policy ever since the days Of
Washington, and its wisdom no one will at
tempt to dispute. In short We ought 10 do
justice in a kindly spirit to all nations, and re.
quire justice from them in return. 1t is our
glory that while their nations have extended
their iominions by the sword, we have never
q CURED any Territory except by fair purchase
or as in the case Of Texas, By the voluntar,
determination Of the brave, kindred and indie.
pendent people to blend their destinies with our
own. even our acquisitions from Mexico form
no exception. Unwilling to take Advantage of.
the fortune Of war against a sister Republic.
we purchased these POSSESSIONS under the tres-
ty OF peace for a sum which was considered at
the time a fair equivalent.
Our past history for ids that We shall in the
future acquire territory unless this be sanction
ed by the laws Of justice and honor. Acting
on this principle no nation will have a rig ht to
Of the progress of events We shall
further extend our possessions.
Hitherto in all our acquisitions, the people,
under the protection Of the American flag have
civil and religious liberty. as well as
equal and just laws. and have been conte nted,
prosperous and happy, Their trade with the
rest Of the world has rapidly increased. and
thus every commercial nation has shared large
ly in their successful progress. | shall now
to take the oath prescribed by the Con
whilst humhly invoking the blessing
Of Divine Providence on this great people.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington, March !.