Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-12-26

bound to pro- ct the lives and tho property
of our citizens inhabiting Arizona, and
these are now without efficient protection.
Their present number is already considera-
bic, and is rap lily increasing, notwithstand-
ing the disadvantages under which they
labor. Besides, the proposed Territory is
believed to be rich in mineral and agricul-
tural resources, especially in silver and
copper. The mails the United States to
California are now carried over it through
out its whole extent, and this route is known
to be the nearest, and believed to be the
best, to the Pacific.
Long experience has deeply convinced
me that strict construction of the powers
granted to Congress is the only true, as we'll
as the only safe, theory of the constitutions.
Whilst this principle shall guide my public
conduct, consider il clear that under tho
war-makng power Congress may appropri-
ate money for the construction of military
road through the Territories of the United
States, when this is absolutely necessary
for the defence of any of the States against
foreign invasion. The constitution has
conferred upon Congress power "to declare
war, "to raise and support armies" to
provide and maintain navy and to call
forth the militia to "repel invasions -
These high sovereign powers necessarily
involve important and responsible public
duties, and among them there is some 80
sacred and so imperative as that of presery-
ing our soil from the invasion of foreign
enemy. The constitution has, therefore,
left nothing on this point to construction,
but expressly requires that 'the United
States shall protect each of them Tthc
States against invasion" Now, if a mill
taly road over our own Territories be indis-
pcnsably necessary to enable us to meet and
repcl the invader, it follows as a necessary
consequence not only that wo possess the
power, but it is our imperative duty to CON
struct such road 1t would be an absur-
dity to invest Government with the un-
limited power to make and conduct war,
and at the same time to deny to it the
,.,lv means of reaching and defeating the
o,lo I az ~? frontier. Without such a
Io'u IL Is quite oVioo'-- 20 cannot "pro-
tcct" California and our Pacific p0Se~,-!P".,, P."
against invasion" We cannot by any 9th.
CT means transport men and munitions of
war from the Atlantic States in sufficient
time successfully to defend these remote
and distant portions of the republic.
Experience has proved that the routes
across the lsthmus of Central America arc
at best bat Il very uncertain and unreliable
mode of communication. But even if this
were not the case, they would at once be
closed against us in the event of war with
a naval power so much stronger than our
own as to enable it to blockade the ports at
either end of these routes After all, there
fore, we can only rely upon military road
through our own territories; and ever since
the origin of the government Congress has
been in the practice Of appropriating money
from the public treasury for the construc-
tion of such roads.
The difficulties and the expense of construct
ing military railroad to connect our Atlantic
and Pacific States have been greatly exaggcra-
ted. The distance on the Arizona route near
| the 32d parallel of north latitude, between the
western boundary of Texas on the Rio Grande,
and the estearn boundary of California on the
Colorado, from the best explorations now within
our knowledge, does not exceed 40 miles, and
the face of the country is, in the main, favora-
bic. For obvious reasons, the government ought
not to undertake the work itself by means of its
own agents This ought to be committed to 9TH
or agencies which Congress might assist either
by grants of land or money, or by both upon
such terms and conditions as they may deem
iH"st,benehcial forthe country. Provision might
thus he made not only for the SAFE rapid and
tons OF wa", but also of the public mails. The
commercial Interests of the whole country, both
Fast and West, would be greatly promoted by
such road; and, above all, it would be n pow
ertul additional bond of Union. And although
advantages of this kind whether postal, COM
mcrcial, or political, cannot confer constitutions
| al power yet tey may furnish auxiliary argu-
mcnts in favor of expediting work which, in
my judgment, is clearly embraced within the
war-making power. For these PERSONS / com
mend to tho friendly consideration of Congress-
the subject of the Pacific railroad without final
ly committing myself to any particular route
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
viii furnish detailed statement OF the condi-
zion of the public finances and OF the respective
branches OF the public service devolved upon
that department of the governments. by tlis
report IT appears that the amount of revenue re-
ceiSed from all sources into the treasury during
the fiscal year ending 80th June, 1867 amounts
to 6S,63l, ,5l3.67. which amount With the bal-
ance OF $40, ,JUi ,620.40, remaining in The treas
ury at the commencement of the year, made mn
aggregate for the service of the year of $685..
o32, 839 IL. The public expenditures for tho
fiscal year cding 30th June, 1867, amounted to-
$7O,S22, ,724.85, of which So, 943, 1868 were
applied to the redemption of the public debt in
cluding interest and premium, leaving in the
Treasury at the commencement of the presenr
fiscal year, on tho 1st July 1867, Sl7, ,710,1lI.
The receipts into the Treasury for tile firsG
qiaIter of the present fiscal year, commencing
lst July, 1851, were 500, 929, ,819.81, and the
estimated receipts of the remaining three quar-
tcrs to the Both iunc, 1858, are S3G. .T6n,,0no.
making, with the balance before stated nm ac
gregate of $75 389, ,934 08 for the service of the
present fiscal year. The actuaI expenditures
during the first quarter Of .he present fiscal year