The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-03-06

Ihis trade IL conducted on railroads and ean.l.-
~ .n nooie rivers and arms OF the sea-which bind
teeesner ths North and the South, the East and
| the West Of our confederacy Annihilats this
trade arrest is free progress BY the eeoersphicaI
lines OF jealous and hostile States and Won destrov
the prosperity and onward march Of the whois
ana every part, and involve all In one common
ruin. But such considerations important an tbev
are In themselves, sink into insienificaoee vbsn
We reflect on the terrific evils which would result
rom disuniopt o every portion Of theconfederaey-
TO the North not more than to the South, to the
East not more than to the West These 1 shall
not attemp: to portray, because feel an humble
confidence that the kind Providence which inspired
our fathers with wisdom to frame the most perfect
form Of Govern nnent and Union ever devised by
man Will not suffer 1t to perish until Il shall have
been peacefully instrumental by Its example, In
the extension of civil and religious liberty through
out the world.
Next In Importance to the maintenance of the
constitution and the Union is the duty Of presery~
ing the government free from the taint the
suspicion, of corruption. Public virtue is the vital
spirit Of republics and history proves that when
this has decayed, and the love Of money has usurp-
cd its place, although the forms of free government
may remain for season. the substance has de.
parted forever.
Our present financial condition IL witaovt par.
allel ID history. No nation has ever before bepn
en6arrased from too large surplus In its treasury.
This almost necessarily gives birth to extrayagaut
legislation tproducss wild schemes OF expenditure,
aud begets race of speculators and jobbers whose
Ingenuity ia exerted in contriving and promoting
expsdieats to obtain public money. The purity of
cftcial agents. whether rightfully wrongfuuy, Is
suspected, and the character OF the government
suffers 10 the estimation of the people This Is In
Itself very great evil
The natural mode of relief from this embarra ass.
ments TO appropriate tho surplus in tho treasury to
great national objests for which clear warrant
be issued In the constitution. Among those might
mention the extipk vi meat Of ts.s public dsht.
reasonable of the navy, which at present
tn tna of
ahoat now greater than that of any other nation
wei as, to tho defence of our extended sea-coast.
1t 10 beyond all question the srue Princ pe that no
more revenue ought to be collected from tho psops
chSa the amount necessary to defray the of
wise, economical and efficient admInistration of
tx government TO ressh this psint it was nesss-
ssry to modification of the tariff and this
las, trust, besn accomplished In such . msnner as
to do as little injury may have been prsec.ble to
sary to the defence OF ks souniry Any disor NINA
zion aselnss particular branch, for the purpose
OF bsnehtting favored eorSoratops individuals or
interests would have bsen unjust to the rest of the
community and Inconsistent with that spirit of fair
aess and equality which ought to govern In the ad.
Jaatment of q reveuus tariff.
But fhe s4uaudeflns of tie public sinks late
comparAtlve iLs sniicanee . mptation corrup-
t,on when compared with the squandsring Of the
public lands
No nation 10 the tide of time has ever been blessed
with SO rich and noble inheritance az We enjoy in
the public lands In administering this important
rust whilst 1t may bs wise to grant portions Of them
for the improvement of the remanc sr yet should
never forget that 1t our cardinal policy TO
these iaads ~ mueh - may be for actual settlers
and this At moderate prices We shall thus not only
best promote the prosperity Of the nav States and
ferrtsriss by f3rngkinR theu hardy spa indepen.
dsasr ce OF honest and industrious citizens pas shal
sscute homes for our children and our chfidren's
children, as we'll for thoss exiles from foreign
shor ho may seek In this country to improve their
condition, and TO spjoy the ble'snls of civil ana
religious liberty. Such emgrants have dOno much
TO promote the growth and prosperity of tbs coun.
Try They have proved faithful both in peace and in
war After becomi ing citizens, they are entitled,
UNDER the constitution aud laws to be placed on
ksrfest equality with the native born cilizens aad
in this character should ever be kindly Recognised.
The federal contribution is grant from the States
80 Congress OF eertsln speelfi3 powers ard the
question whether this grant should be literally or
ftretiy construed hat, more or less divided political
parties from the be besinnins Without entering into
the argument, dtsre to state, at the commence
msnt OF my administration, that long experience and
observ alton has convinced that strict construc
tisn CT the powers Of the government is the only
trus. as we'll ~ tho only safe theory of the
tuition. Whenever, In our past histo, 7, doubtful
powershave been exercised BY Congress these have
never failed to pIoGuce injurious sni unhappy con-
sequences Many such instances might be added, If
this-were the proper occauon. Neither is it neces.
sary for the public service to strain the language of
the constitution; because ell the great and useful
powers required for esueces,tgl sdnisi,srstion OF
the Government, beta in peace and in wsr have been
gran ed eithsr In express terms by the plainest
in npcation.
While de ply convinced of these truths I vet
consider it Gle that, under the wsr-mskng power
ConsresE may appropriate money towards the con
stuction Of military road, whom this is absolutely
necessary for the defence of any State or Territory
OF the Union against forel IN inye1ion. Under the
Constitution, Congre" has power ito declare war"
ITO raise and support armes;' 'to provide and main
tain q navy" and to call forth the militia to "reps
Invasion" Thusendowed in an ample mar ner with
the war making power, the corresponding duty Ia
qaired that the Unitsd States shall protest Sach Of
thom the States against iuvaaion."
Now, how 10 1t possible to afford this prote etion
to California and our Pacific possessions, except by
m nah fha Tar .nf
the United states, over whish mon and munitions of
war may be speedily transported from the Atlantic
States 80 meet and rspel the invader la tho event
OF war with naval power much stronger tn .n our
own we should then have no other available aecess
to the Pacific eoast; because such power would In.
stsny close the route the Isthmus Of Contra.
America. 1t 10 impossible to conceive that whilst
the Constitution has expressly required Congreas to
dsfend all the btatss, 1t should yet deny to them
By any fair construction the only possible means b.
which one Of these States can be defended. Be-
sides the government since its origin has be en-
roads.
Ii might also be wise TO consider Whistler the love
10. the Union, which anmates our fellow eit.
zen: on the Paciiis coast may not be impaired by
mote and isolated condition tbs only means BY
whieh 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 N opi.
MON ss to the wsess and mast economical mode in
which the Government can lend its aid in accom-
1
ths many OF the difficulties in the way which now
appear formidable, will in a great degree vanish as
soon ss ihe nearest and best route shall have be-
satisfactorily ascertained. 1t may be right that on
| this occasion should make some brief remark, In
regard to our rights and duties a member OF the
| great family Of nations In our intercourse with
them there are some plain principles approved by
our own experience, from which should never
depart.
We ought to cultivate pesce, commerce and
friendship with all nations and this not merely a.
the best means of promoting our mate rial in
terests, but in spirit of Christian beneyoeIcs to-
wards our fell w msn, wherever their lot may be
cast. Our diplomacy should be direct and frank
neither seeking TO obtain more accepting less
than our due. We ought to cherish q sacred re-.
gard for the Independence of all nations and never
attempt to interfere in the domestic concerns of any
unless they shalt be imperativeiy required by the
great law of self lfpreservstion 40 avoid entaneins
alliances has been maxim of policy ever since
the days of Washington, and its wisdom NO one will
| attempt to dispute.
In short, ought to do justice In q kindly spirit
to ali nations and require justice from them In
turn. 1t ID glory that whilst other nations have
extended their dominiops BY the sword, We have
never acquired any territory except by fair pur.
ehsse or In tks case Of Texas, by the voluntary
determination of brave, kindred and independent
people, to blend their destinies with own Even
our scquisitiors from Aexiso form no exception
Unwiiins to take advantage of the fortune Of war
agsinst sister republic, we purchased these posses
stems under the treaty of peace for which
considered at the time . fair equivalent
Our past history forbids that sbal In the future