The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-03-21

But such considerations, important as they
are in themselves, sink into insignifcance
when we reflect on the terrific evils which
would result from disunion to every portion
of the Confederacy-to the North not more
! than to the South, to the East not more
than to the West. These shall not attempt
to portray because l feel an humble conf
dence that the kind Providence which in
spired our fathers with wisdom to frame the
most perfect form of government and union
ever devised by man, will not suffer it to
perish until it shall have been peacefully in
strumental, by its example, in the extension
of civil and religious liberty throughout the
world
Next in Importance to the maintenance of
the Constitution and the Union is the duty
of preserving the Government free from the
faint 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 present financial con-
dition is without parallel in history. No
nation has ever before been embarrassed
| from too large a surplus in its 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 exerted in contriving and promoting ex-
pedients to obtain the public money The
party, through its official agents, whether
rightfully or wrongfnlly, is suspected, and
fIo cbo,a ofa Of bo
the estimation of the people. This is in it.
sef"a 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 clear warrant
can be found in the constitution. Among
these might mention the extinguishment
of the public debt, reasonable increase of
| the Navy, which is at present inadequate to
the protection of our vast tunnage afoat-
now greater than that of any other nation,
as we'll as the defense of our extended sea
coast.
1t is beyond all question the true principle
that no more revenue ought to be collected
from the people than the amount necessary
to defray the expenses of wise economical
and efficient administration of the govern
ment To reach this point it Was necessary
to resort to modification of the tariff, and
this has been accomplished in such manner
TO do as little injury as may have been prac-
ticable to our domestic manufactures, esper
cially those necessary for the defense Of the
country. Any discrimination againsta par
ticular branch for the purpose of benefiting
favored corporations, ,ndvlduals or interests,
would have been unjust to the rest of the
community and inconsistent with that spirit
of fairness and equality, which ought to gov
ern in the adjustment of revenue tariff
but the squandering of the public money
sinks into comparative insignifcance, as
tsmptation to corruption, when compared
with the squandering of the public lands.
No nation in the tide of time has ever
been blessed with SO rich and noble an in
heritance as we enjoy in the public lands.
In administering this important trust, while
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 moderate
prices. We shall thus not only best pro-
mote the prosperity of the new States, by
furnishing them hardy and independent
race of Industrious citizens, but shall secure
homes for our children, and our children's
children, as well as for those exiles, from
foreign shores, who may seek in this coun-
try to improve their condition, and to enjoy
the blessings of civil and religious liberty.
Such emigrants have done much to promote
the growth and prosperity of the country
They have proved faithful both in peace
and 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. Without entering into the
argument, desire to state at the commence
ment of my administration, that long expe-
rience and observation have 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 never failed to produce injurious and
unhappy consequences. Many such il stances
might be adduced if this were the proper oc-
! =
casion.
Neither is it necessary for the public ser
vice to strain the language of the Constitu-
ton, because all the great and useful pow
ers required for successful administration
of the Government, both in peace and in
war, have been granted either in express
terms or by the planest implication. While
deeply convinced Of these truths, vet con-
slider it clear that under the war-making
power Congress may appropriate money to-
ward the construction of military road
when this is absolutely necessary for the de-
| fense Of any State or Territory of the Union
against foreign invasion.
! Under the Constitution Congress has power
to declare war. to raise and support armies. to
provide and maintain navy, and to call forth
the militia to repel invasion. Thus endowed
| in an ample manner with the war-making pow-
er. the corresponding duty is required that the
| Uaited States shall protect each Of them (the
States) against invasion. How is it possible
to afford this protection to California and our
Pacific possessions except by means of a mill
tary road through the territory 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 case
of war with naval power much stronger
than our own. We should then have no other
available access to the Pacific coast because
such power would instantly close the route