The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-04-01

ate the surplus IN the Treasury W great hatiOn-
al obiectsfor which clear warrant can be
sopnd n Inc constitution. Among these, l
might mention the extinguishment OF the public
debt. a reasonable increase of the Navy, which
is at present inadequate to the protection Of our
vast tunnage ailoat-now greater than that Of
any other nation, as well as the defense of our
extended sea coast. Ii 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, eco
nomical and efficient administration oil the Gov
eminent. To reach this point 1t was necessary
TO resort to modification of the tariff, and TINS
has been accomplished in such manner as to
do as little injury as may have been practicable
TO our domestic manufactures, especially those
necessary for the defense of the country. Any
discrimination against particular branch for the
purpose Of benefiting favored corporations, in
| diyiduals or interests, would have been UNJUST
TO the rest of the community and inconsistent
with that spirit of fairness and equality, which
ought to govern in the adjustment of revenue
tarifF-but the squandering Of the public money
sinks into comparative insignificance, as temp
tation 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 Inheritance as
we enjoy 10 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 on
ly best promote the prosperity Of the new States
by furnishing them hardy and Independent
race of honest and industrious citizens, but shall
secure homes for our children and our chill
dren's children as well as for those exiles from
eI,1 In n
improve their condition and to enjoy the bless
ings of civil and religious liberty. Such emf
grants have done much to promote the growth
and prosperity of the country. They have
proved faithful both in peace and in war. At
ter becoming citizens, they are entitled, under
tho Constitutions aud laws, to be placed on a
perfect equality with native born citizens, and
in this character they should ever be kindly re-
cognzcd.
The Federal Constitution is grant from the
States to Congress of certain specific powers,
and the question whether this grant shall be lib
orally or strictly construed, has, more or less,
divided political parties from the beginning.
Without entering into the argument. desire 20
state at tue commencement Of my admnistra-
ton, that long experience 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 powers
have been exercised by Congress- they have new
err failed to produce injurious and unhappy con-
sequences. Many such instances might be adj
duccd 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 aud useful powers required for success
full administration Of the Government, 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 ii clear that under the war-making
power Congress may appropriate money to-
wards the construction OF a military road when
this is absolutely necessary for the defense of
any State or Territory of the Union against
foreign invasion. Under the Constitution Con-
grcss has power to declare war; 10 raise and
support armies. to provide and maintain a navy
and to call forth the militia to repcl invasion.
Thus endowed in an ample manner with the
war-making power, the corresponding duty is
required that the United States shall protect
each of them (thc States) against invasion. How
is it possible to afford this protection to Califor-
MIA and our Pacific possessions except by means
Of military road through the territory Of the
United States, over which men and munitions of
war may be speedily transported from the At
lantic States to meet and rcpcl the invader In
case of a 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
across the Isthmus of Central America 1t is
impossible to conceive that while the Consttu-
ton has expressly required Congress to defend
all the States, it should yet deny to them by any
fair construction the only possible means by
which one of these States can he defended.
Beside, the Government. ever since its origin,
has been in the constant practice of construct
ing military roads. 1t might also he wise to
consider whether the love for the Union which
now animates 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 invasion.
forbear, for the present, from expressing an
opinion as to the wisCst and most cconomi-
cal mode in which the 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
great degree, vanish as soon as the nearest and
best route shall have been satisfactorily ascer-
tanned.
| 1t may be right that. on this occasion, should
make some brief remarks as to our rights and
duties as a member of the great Family of Ma |
tons. In our intercourse with them there are
some pam principles approved by our own ex-
perience from which 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 nation
al interest, but in spirit of Christian benevo-
lence toward felow-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 sacred regard for the independence of
all nations, and never attempt to interfere in |
the domestic concerns Of any, unless this shall |
be imperatively required by the great law of I
self-preservation. To avoid entanglng ALLAN
ces has been maxim of our policy ever since |
the days of Washington. and its wisdom no one
will attempt to dispute. In short, we ought to
do justice in kindly spirit to all nations, and
require justice from them in return. 1t is our
glory that while other nations have extended
their dominious by the sword we have never
acquired any territory except by fair purchase,
Of ~ -