Mountain Democrat., 1857-04-04


you destroy the prosperity and onward
march of the whole and every part; and
involve all in one common ruin.
But such considerations, important as
they are in themselves, sink into insig-
fifieaRee when We reflect on the terrific
evils which would result from disunion to
every portion of the Gonfederacy-to the
Ndfth not more than to the South, to the
Fast not more than to the West. These
J shall not attempt to portray, because |
feel an humble confidence that the kind
Providence which inspired our fathers
with wisdom 10 frame the most perfect
form Of government and union ever de-
viscd by man, will not suffer it to perish
until it shall have been peacefully instru:
mental, 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 taint or even suspicion of COR
ruption. Public virtue is the vital spirit
of Republics, and history proves that
when this has dccaycd and the lOvc of
money has usurpcd its place, although
the forms Of free government may remain
for a season, the substance has departed
forever. Our present financial condition
is without parallel in history. No ma
ton has ever before been embarrassed
from too large a surplus in the Treasury.
This almost necessarily gives birth to ex-
travagant legislation. 1t produces wild
cohn Oc -
race of spectators and jobbers whose in
genuity is exerted in cOntriving and pro-
noting expedients to obtain the public
money. The party, through its official
agents, whether rightfully or wrongfully,
is suspected, and the character Of the
Government suffers i'll the estimation Of
the people. This is in itself very great
evil. The natural mode Of relief from
this embarrassment is to appropriate the
surplus in the Treasury to great national
objects for which clear warrant can be
found in the Constitution. Among these
l might mention the extinguishment of
the public debt, reasonable increase of
the Navy, which is at present inadequate
to the protection of our vast tunnagc
ahoat-nOw greater than that of any 9TH
er nation, as we'll rs 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 de-
fray the expenses of wise, economical
and efficient administration of the gov
ernment. TO reach this point it was me-
ccssary to resort to modification of the
tariff, and this has been accomplished in
such manner to do as little injury as
may have been practicable to our domes-
tic manufactures, especially those neces-
sary for the defense Of the country. Any
discrimination against particular branch
for the purpose Of beneGtting favored COR
poratiOnS, individuals or interests, would
have been unjust to the rest Of the COM
munity and inconsistent with that spirit
of fairness and equality, which ought to
govern in the adjustment Of q revenue
tariE-but the squandering of the public
money sinks into comparative insignifi-
cancc, as a temptation to corruption,
when compared with the squandsring of
the public lands.
No nation in the tide of time has ever
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 remain.
der, 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 promote the prosperity Of
the new States, by furnishing them Q
hardy and Independent race Of honest
and 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 en-.
joy 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 in war; After bccom-
ing 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 q 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 DO.
litical parties from the beginning. With
out entering into the argument, desire
to state at the commencement of my ad-
ministration, that long experience and
observation have convinced me that a
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 never failed to produce injurious
and unhappy consequences. Many such
instances might be adduced if this were
the proper occasion. Neither is il neces-
sary for the public service to strain the
language of the Constitution, because all
the great and useful powers required for
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 con-
vinced Of these truths, l vet consider il
clear that under the war-making power
Congress may appropriate money toward
the construction of . military road when
this is absolutely necessary for the de-
tense 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 cali
forth the militia to repel invasion. Thus
endowed in an ample manner with the