Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1857-03-13


recognized.
The Federal Constitution i<a grant
from the States to Congress of certain
specific powers and the question.
whether this grant shall be literally or
strictly construed, has, more or less.
divided political parties from the begin
ming. Without entering into the arru-
ment. desire to state. at the commence.
mcnt of my administration, that long
experience and observation have CON
WINGED me that a strict eenstru ,tion at
the powers of the government is the
only true, as we'll as the only SAFE the
CRY of the constitution
Whenever, in our past history. doubt.
full powers have been exercised by Cen
gress, they have never tti!c6 to produce
injurious and unhappy Consequences
Many such instaces might be adduccj
II this were the proper occasions -
Neither Is it necessary tor the public
service to strain the language Of the
Constitution. because all the great and
useful powers required fer a successful
administration OF the government. both
in peace and war, have bccn granted
either in expressed terms or by the plain.
est Implication. Whilst deeply eon,in-
sed of these truths, | vet conSilcri: clear
that under the war milking power Con-
gress may appropriate money towards
the construction ei q military road, when
this Is absolutely necessary fer the IL
fence OF any State or Territory IF the
Union against foreign invasion.
Under the Constitution, Congress has
power 70 declare MAR. to raise and sup.
port armies, to provide and maintain Il
navy, and TO call forth the militia te
r-pel invasion. Thus endowed in an
ample manner with the w4r.nakiuE
power.thc corresponding Guty i rcqa;r-
ed. thai the lAItel States shah pr0ts Z
each of them the Sta,ssA against .aga.
sion
How is it possible to al M tbs pre-
lection 20 California and our Paei&e
possessions, exccp, by means ot a sa.H.
tary road through the territory o. thc
United States. over wieh mon and ma.
nitio' Of war may be speedily transport
cd from the Atlantic States, - asa.
and repel the invaders. In ease 81 a
war with a naval power much straase.
than our own, We should have no e.he,
available access to the Pacific eua>,. "
cause such 4 power would instantly eos
the route across the lSthmas of Centga.
America. Il IS impeS>,b bic II conceive.
that Wills; ,Ae Constitution his eNarcS>
~ required Congress 70 defend al IT.
States, i; should yet denv Il tke1a, ~
any fair construction, the only possible
means by which one OF these States en-
be defended. Besides. the Government.
ever siace its oyisiu, has been in .h1
constant practice Q. constructing military
roads. /; mish; also be wise 10 con-
slider whether the love for the Union.
whaes new sR,Ras;es cur fellow -oit.-en>
on the Paetfc coast, may 10: = impair.
cd. BY cur nes}ec; or refusal 70 previas
Ear them. in their remote and isolated
condition. the only means hy WHICH
the power ot the States, on ;hj> size =
the Rocky Mountains, eaa reA1a ,haa,
IN sufficient time 70 pra;ee; tAeal 4 gains,
invasion, / forbear, for the present.
from expressing an opinion Is - -
wisest and mos, economical, aa5.e i
which the Government; can lend Is a.;
il accomplishing this srea, and nceeS>az>
work. believe that many aiifcn.;sc,
il the ~ay.whiol. now appear foy,ss.4 al
would. in & great degree, vanish A> >oag
as the neareS; and best raa:e sA4!. Aaz,
been satisfied ascey;a!nei.
Il may Be right that, on this occa-
sion, should make se me brief remark,
as 70 our rights and duties as n,2gal hey
of the srea, family Of nations
In our intercourse with them, n srS
are some plain principles, approved y
our own experience. tvoa which We
shoald never depart. We oasb, 10 cu,,-
t.va:e peace, commerce and triesash.p
with all nations; aud his not u.evaly a.
the best means OF promoting oar own
material interests, ba; in spirit 9.
Christian benevolence towards fs,.ow-
men. wherever their 10, may b. cast
OaE diplomacy shsall De 3r2ls and TAX.
neither seeking TO obtain more. nor A.
eertinS less, than is our jae.
We ought - cherish sacred -s-.y...
for the Independents Of i I nstiauS. ana
never attempt to interfere IN tho ,ioa,c>-
TIC concerns q any. unless this Shz.l b
imperat,vely required BY ne -7,a. ,av
al seli-preseCvaJioa. To avoid e2taa.-
ling alliances has oeen raax,-s al CIR
policy ever since the DAYS al Wasa.a-,
ton and lis wisdom ~ oae VII a.
tempt II dispa,e. In short. w. oa-ht
TO do jastiee IN kindly <nirjt to a.. a.
lions and require j,ss;.ee from then y
return,
Il Is our slory thar W., a;ll. = ns:.as>
have extended their doniaionS bY tas
sword, VIC haze never Aco,.:-ee. az ~
ri,ory except bv far p9gvhasa. or Is II
che ease OF Texas, by ,Ae voluntary
determination OF brave &ia3rs5 ana
Independent peaPls % blend she.s as<-
aaSes with our Own Even oar a,aai-
sa,1oas from Mckee feg-a rs, exception
Cawillias TO taks advantage Al tAs for
tune az war asAIas. SISTER EepQ5lic we
purchased those possessions aa4cr to
treaty Of peace.for a s2sa wascA was cor
sidsrsi al the siuse fai- e3s4iv4laat-
a. ~ !