Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-03-19

It's place, allnCugil tHo ioIihS vi iieo BoNeih-
ment may remain for season, the substance
has departed forever. Our present financial
condition is without parallel in history
No nation has ever before been embarrassed
from too large surplus in its Treasury.
This almost gives birth to extravagant legis-
lation. 1t produces wild schemes of expend-
itures and begets race of spectators and
iobLers, whose ingenuity is exerted in con-
irving and promoting expedents to obtain
the public money. The party, through its
official agents, whether rightfully or wrong
fully, is suspected, and the character of the
government suffers in the estimation Of the
people. This is in itself very great evil.
The natural mode Of relief from this en-
barrassment is to appropriate the surplus in
the Treasury 10 great national objects for
which clear warrant can be found in the
constitution. Among these l might mem
ton the extinguishment of public debt, a
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 well as the defense
of our extended sea coast. 1t is beyond all
question the true principle that no more rev.
enue ought to be collected from the people
than the amount necessary to defray the ex-
penses of wise, economical and efficient
Administration OF the Government. Toreach
this point it was necessary to resort to a
modification of the tariff, and this has been
accomplished in such manner as to do as
little injury as may have been practibe to
domestic manufactures, especially those ne
oessary for the defense OF the country. Any
discrimination against particular branch
/ for the purpose Of benefitting favored corpo-
rations, individuals, or interests, would have
: been unjust to the rest of the community and
, inconsistent with that spirit of fairness and
equality, which ought 10 govern in the ad-
5 iustment of revenue tarif-but the squan-
: dering Of the public money sinks into COM
J parative insignifcance, as temptation TO
corruption, when compared with the squan-
: dering 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 in the public lands.
i In administering this important trust, while
: it may be wise to grant portions of them
for the Improvement of the remainder, yet
n we should never forget that 1t is our cardi.
: nal policy to reserve these lands as much as
= NAV be for actual settlers, and this at mode
v rate prices. We shall thus not only best
a promote the prosperity of the new States,
e by furnishing them a hardy and independ-
IF ent race of honest and industrious citizens
= but shall secure homes for our children and
If our children's children, as we'll as for those
: exies from foreign shores who may seek in
!, this country to improve their condition and
J. TO enjoy the blessings of civil and religion:
1t liberty. Such emigrants have done much
= to promote the growth and prosperity of the
IS country. They have proved faithful botf
e in peace and war. After becoming citizens
they are entitled, under the constitution ane
ID laws, to be placed on perfect equality witt
IS native-born citizens, and in this character
d they should ever be kindly recognized.
l. The Federal Constitution is grant from
d the States TO Congress, 9f certain specific
n powers, and the questitS e.hether this gran
Of shall be literally or strictly construed, has
-e more or less, divided political parties from
lie the beginning. Without entering into tn
is argument, desire TO state at the commence
nent of my administration, that long expe
n rience and observation have convinced m
y, that strict construction of the powers O
is the government is the only true as well a
IS, the only safe theory of the Constitution
'h Whenever. in our past history, doubtful
he powers have been exercised by Congress
n they have never failed to produce injuriou
IS aud unhappy consequences. Many sue
IS instances might be adduced il this were th
ty the proper occasion. Neither is it necessu
ry ry for the public service to strain the Ian
guage of the Constitution, because all th
ey great and useful powers required for sue
ce cessful administration Of the government
eh both in peace and in war, have been granite
OF either in express terms or by the PLANES
an implication, While deeply convinced {
he these truths, yet consider it clear that III
y, der the war-making power Congress ma
he appropriate money toward the constructio
'rs of a military road when this is absolutel
rm necessary for the defense Of any State {
by Territory of the Union against foreign il
all vasion. Under the Constitution Congres
its has power to declare war, to raise and SUI
lg- port armies, to provide and maintain nav!
and 10 call forth the militia 10 repel invasion
oi Thus endowed in an ample manner with Il
i'y war making power, the corresponding du