The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-03-12


federacy Annhilate this trade, arrest its progress
by geographical lines of jealousy and hostile States,
and you destroy the prosperity and onward march I
Of the whole aud every part, and involve all in one
common ruin. But such considerations, important
as they in themselves, sink into insignlfcance
when reflect on the terrific evils which
would result from disuniun to every portion Of
the confederacy, TO the North not more than to
South, to the Eust not more than to the West.
These shall not attempt to portray, because
feel an humble confidence that tue kind PTovi
dence which inspired our fathers with wisdom
to frame the most perfect form of government
and union ever devised by man, will not suffer
it to perish until it shall have been peacefully
Instrumental by its example in the extension
of civil and religious liberty throughout the
world.
Next in importance to the maintanance of
the Constitution and the Union is the duty of
preserving government free from the talnt or
even suspicion of corruption. Public virtue is
the vital spirit of Republics. and history proves
thai when this has decdyed aud the love of mon
ey has usurped its place, although the forms of
free government may remain for a season, the
subsistence has departed forever. Our present f.
nancal condition is without parallel in histo-
rs. No nation has ever before been embarrassed |
from too large surplus in its treasury This
almost necessarily gives birth to extravagant
legislation. 1t produces wild schemes Of ex-
pendtures, and begets a race of spectators and
ipbbers, whose ingenuity is exerled in cuntriving
and promoting expedients to obtain the public
money. Party, through its official agents, ,wheth
er rightlully or wrongfuily, is suspected and the
character OF the government suffers in the esli-
nation OF the peUPle. This is in itself very
great evil. The national mode of relief from
embarrassment, is to appropriate the surplus IN
the treasury 10 great national objects for which
a clear warrant can b. found in the Constitu-
/ hes | mi iuhf rnpu he Inu-
uishment of the public debt reasonable in
crease of the Navy, which is at present made
quate TO the protection OF our vast tonnage
af1oat, now greater than that of any other ma
| lion, as well as the defence 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 th- amount necessary to deiray
th- expenses OF a wise, economical and efficient
! administration a of the Government. To reach
his it was necessary to resort to modification
of the tariff, and this has been accomplished in
such manner to do as little injury may have
been practicable to our domestic mauufac actures,
especially those necessary for the defence OF the
country, Any discrimination against particu-
lar branch for the purpose of banefting private
corporations, interests or individuals, 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 adjust
nrnt OF revenue tariff.
Bat the squandering of the public money sinks
into comparative insis sniGcance as a temptation
to corruption, when compared with the squsn-
dering of the public land.
No nation in the tide of time has ever been
blessed with SO rich and noble an inheritance
as enjoy in the Public Lands. In adminis-
terng this important trust, whilst it may b.
wise TO grant portions of them for the improve
m-nt of the remainder, yet we should never
lNrpa tt.ti =, lt,,al
these lands much may BE- for actual settlers,
and this at moderate prices. We shall thus not
only b'St promote the p!oI eriy OF the new
States by furnishing Ihem hardy and indie
pendent rae of honest and indus rIous citizens,
but shall secure homes for our children and
Childnus children, as well as for those exilad
from Foreign shores who may seek in this Coun-
try t. improve their condition ami to enjoy the
blessing of civil and religious Hb,rty. Such
rmigrauts have done much to promote the
growth and prosperity of the country. They
4 have proved faithful both in peace aud in war.
; After becoming citzens they are entitled under
tn" constitution aud laws to be placed on a
! perfect equality with.uat,v born citizens, and
in this character they should ever be kindly
J recognized.
The Federal Constitution is grant from the
: States to Congr SIS Of certain specific powers and
the question whethe this grant shall be literally
e and strictly constructed, has more or less diyi-
0 drd political parties from the beginning
Without entering into the argument, desire to
d state, at the commencement OF my adminlstra-
+ lion, that long experience and observation has
: couvinc-d M that strict construction Of the
. powers of the government is tn, only true, as
u well the only sal. theory of the Constitution
e Whenever in our past history, doubtful power:
n have bern cx rcised By Congress, They have never
IS failed to produce injurious and unhappy conse
C quences. Many such instances might b. adj
S duced il this were the proper occasion, neither
It is it necessary for tn public service TO train the
It language Of the Constitution. because all the
It great aud useful powers required for the success
C iul administration Of the government, both in
l. peace in war, have been granted, either i'll ex
preston or by the plainesl IMPLICATION. Whilst
/ deeply convinced OF these truths yet consider
II it clear that under the war-making power, Con
; gress may appropriate money towards the con
Il slructon of military road wh,n this is abso
c luely necessary tor the defense OF any State OF
Il Territory OF tn Union agaIut foreign invasion.
; Under the constitution CUn6r's has power tc
e declare war, 10 raise aud support armies, TO pro
II vide and main ain navy, AMI to call forth ;ht
a militia tu repel invasion. thus endowed In al
d ample manner with a war making power, the
is corresponding doty is rtquired that th- United
States shall protect each Of the States agalns
o invasion. How it is possible TO afford this pro
lection to California and our Pacific possession;
is except By means of military roads through the
l. territories Of the United States, over which msr
C and munitions OF war may be speedily transport
l. ed from the Atlantic Stltes To meet and rene
l. the invader. la ease OF war with naval pow -
II stronger than our own we should have M oth'I
L available access to the Phcilic coast b'caus
J. such power would instantly close the route
y across the Isthmus OF Central America. 1t IL
c mposs BILE to conceive il otherwise.
II The constitution has expressly quired Con
e gress to defend all the States. II should not deny
e to them by any fair construction the only posi-
of BILE means by which one Of thes' States can b
defended. Besides the Government, ever since
e. its origin, has ben in the constant practice o
d constructing Military Roads. 1t might also b.
D. wise 10 cnnsiher win ther The love for The UniOI