Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-03-12

No nation in the tide of time has ever
been blessed with so rich and noble inheri-
tance as we eujoy in the public lands. In
administering this important trust, whilst it
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 mod
crate prices. We shall thus not only best
promote the prosperity of the new States
and Territories by furnishing them hardy
and independent race of honest and indus
trious citizens, but shallse cure homes for our
children and our children's children, as we'll
as for those exiles from foreign shores who
may seek in this country to improve their
condition, and to enjoy the blessings Of civil
and religious liberty. Such emigrants have
done much to promote the growth and pros
perity 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 the native-born citi-
zens and in this character should ever be
kindly recognized.
The federal constitution is a 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 in-
to the argument, [ desire to state, at the
commencement of my administration, that
long experience and observation has con-
vinced me that strict construction Of the
powers of the government is the only true,
as we'll as the only safe, theory Of the con-
stitution. Whenever, in our past history,
doubtful powers have been exercised by
Congress, these have never failed to pro-
duce injurious and unhappy consequences.
Many such instances might be added, 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 for
a successful administration of the govern
ment, both in peace and in war, have been
granted either in express terms or by the
plainest Implication.
While deeply convinced of these truths,
| yet consider it clear that, under the war
making power, Congress may appropriate
money towards the construction of a militia
~ road, w.lSSa this Is ass9 9,afe1 1F-ancasa.E.z
for the defence of any State or Territory Of
The Union against foreign invasion. Under
the constitution Congress has power ''to de-
clare war, % ''to raise and support armies y
''to provide and maintain a navy and to
call forth the militia to ''repel invasion. p
Thus endowed in an ample manner with the
war-making power, the corresponding duty
is required that the United States shall pro-
tect each Of them 1.-THE States against inva-
: SION"
Now. how is it possible to afford this pro-
lection to California and our Pacific possess
sions except by means of military road
through the Territories Of the United States,
over which men and munitions of war may
be speedily transported from the Atlantic
States to meet and repel the invader? In the
event of war with naval power much
stronger than our own, we should then have
no other available access to the Pacific coast;
because such a power would instantly close
the route across the Isthmus Of Central A
merica. It is impossible to conceive that
whilst the Constitution has expressly re-
quired Congress to defend all the States, it
should yet deny to them, by any fair con-
struction, the only possible means by which
one of these States can be defended Be-
sides, the government, ever since, it's ORR
gin. has been in the constant practice of
constructing military roads.
It might also be wise to consider wheth-
er the love for the Union which now ami
mates our fellow citizens on the Pacific coast
may not be impaired by our neglect or re-
fusal 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 in
sufficient time to protect them against in
vasion. ,...
t forbear, for the present, from express
ing an opinion as to the wisest and most e.
t 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 ap-
pear formidable will in great degree van
ish as soon as the nearest and best route
shall have been satisfactorily ascertained.-
> It may be right that on this occasion I
5 should make some brief remarks in regard
, to our rights and duties as member of the
great family of nations. In our intercourse
with them there are some plain principles
r approved by our own experience. from wi 1ich
: 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 interests, but in spirit Of
Christian benevolence towards our fellow
man, wherever their lot may be cast. Our
diplomacy should be direct and frank, neith-
er seeking to obtain more nor accepting less
than purdue. Weought to cherish sacred