The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-03-13


been embarrassed from too large a surplus
In It's treasury. This. almost necessarily.
gives birth 10 extrav gan, legislation. IL
produces wild schemes of expenditure. and
begets n race of spectators and jobbers,
whoss ingenuity is exerted IN contr'ins and
promoting expsdients, to obtain the public
money.
The party, through its official agents,
whether rightfully or wrongtully, Is sus-
pected. and tho character OF the governments
suir rs in the Estimation Of the people. This
il, in it-elf. a very great evil. The natural
m de Of relief from this embarrassment Is u
appropriate the surplus In the treasury 70
great national objects for which clear war
rant can b, found in the Constitution.
Among these might mention the extin'
guishm ,nt Of the public debt; reasonable
Increase Of the navy. which Is, Mt present,
inadequate " the protection of our vast
tunnasc aaIat, now greater than that OF
any other nation, as well as 10 the defence
OF our extended sea coast.
IL is. b,yond all question, the true prin-
ciple that no more revenue ought to DO col
lecssd from the people than the amount nee
essary TO dsfray the expenses OF wise ana
economical and Efficient administration OF
the government.
TO reach this point II was necessary to re-
sort 10 "A modification Of the tariff, and this
has been accomplished in such manner as
% do as little injury rs may have been pric-
tic..ble 20 our domestic manufactures, e.
pecially those necessary for the defence OF
the country. Any discrimination against "a
particular branch for the purpose OF bsne-
fitting favored corporations, individuals or
interests, would have been unjust to the rest
OF the country and Inconsistent with that
spirit Of frmness and equality which ought
Z" govern in the adjustment Ola revenue tar
1T.
But the squandering OF the public money
sinks into comparative insignihcancc rs a
temptation to corruption. when compared
with the squandering Of the public lands
No nation in the tide OF time has ever been
blessed with 81 rich and noble an Inheritance
Us we enjoy in the public lands.
In administering this important trust,
while il may bc wise 10 grant portions OF
them for the improvement Of the remainder,
vet We should never for,et that IL Is our car
dinal policy t. preserve these lands rs much
rs may be Tor actual settlers, and this at
moderate prices.
We shall thus no, only best promote
the prosperity OF the new states by furnish
ing them hardy aud independent race OF
honest and industrious citizens, but shall
secure homes for our children and our chill
dren's children, rs well rs for those exiles
from foreign shores who may seek, in this
country, to improve their condition. and Ia
enjoy the blessings OF civil and religious lib
..u..h O..
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 b. placed ON perfect equality
with native born citizens. and m this char
aeter should ever b, kindly recognized
The Federal Constitution Is grant from
the states 10 Congress. OF certain specified
powers; and the question, whether this
grant shall he literally or strictly construed,
has more or less, divided political parties
from the b, ginning. Without entering in
o. the argument. | desire 10 state, at the
commencement Oi my administration, that
long experience and observation have con-
WINGED me that "A strict construction OF the
powers OF the government Is the only true,
as well rs the only safe theory OF the Con-
stitutiOn
Whenever, in our past history. doubtful
powers have been exercised BY Congress,
they have ncver.EIilcd to produce injurious
and unhappy consequences. Many such i'm
stances might b. adducel, if this were the
proper occasion. Neither Is il necessary for
thc pub!c service 10 strain the language OF
the Consultation, b cause all the great and
useful powers required for u successful ud-
minis,rlIiIn of the government, botI in
peace aud in war, have been granted, either
~ express terms, or by the Plaincst implica.
ton.
Whilst deeply convinced of these truths,
vet consider il clear that under the war
making power Congress may appropriate
money towards the construction Ola military
road, when this is absolutely necessary for
the offence of any state or territory of the
Union against foreign INVASION.
L nder the Constitution Congress has pow
er to declare war-to raise and support ar
mirs--,O provide and maintain u navy and
O. call forth the militia 20 rcpel invasion.
Thus endowed in an ample manner with
the war making power, the corresponding
duty is required, that the United States shall
prot set, each OF them (thc stItes) against
INVASION. How Is il possible 20 aiEOrl thi,
protection % California, and our Pacific p's-
sessions. except by means OF military rad
through the territory Ut the United States,
over which men and munitions of war may
b. speedily transported from the Atlantic
states. to meet and expcl the invaders.
In case of u war with a naval power much
stronger than our own, We should have no
other available access TO the Pacific coast.
because such power would instantly close
tic route across the isthmus OF Central Amer. !
lea. Ii is impossible To conceive, that whilst |
the constitution has expressly required Con-
gress to dcltndall the states, il should vet
DENY 10 them by any far construction, tue
only possible means hy which one Of these |
states can he defended. BcsidCs the govern. |
ment, ever since its origin, has been in the |
constant practice Of constructing military
roads.
1t might also be wise TO consider whether
the love for the union. which now animates
our fellow citizens ON the Pacific coast NAV
not be impaired by our neglect or refusal 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 noun.
tains can reach them in sufficient time 10
protect them against INVASION iorbar.
for the present, from expressing an opinion
as Ia the wiscst and must ec1nDmicIl mu-lc
in which the government can lend its AID in
accomplishing this grs,t and necessary work
biieyo that mtny difficulties in the way,
which now appear formidable, will in
great degree, vanish as sDon as the nearest
and b,st rO.tc shall have been satisfactorily
asccr,ain,d
IL may be right that. on this occasion, |
should max some brief remarks rs TO our
rights and duties Us member oi the great
family Of nations.
In cur intercourse with them. thcrc are
some plain principles, approved by our own
experience, irIm whi,h We should never de-
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