San Andreas independent., 1857-04-04
Mr.. Buchanan's Inaugural.

This document is too lengthy for our col
umns. We copy the following extract which
plainly indicates that the President is in favor
of Pacific Railroad although he does not
use the term Railroad we are led to infer
that he is in favor of the measure:
"The Federal Constitution is grant from
the States to Congress of certain specific pow
ers and the question whether this grant shall
be literally or strictly construed, has, more or
less, divided political parties from the begin
ming. Without entering into the argument,
desire to state at the commencement of my ad-
ministration, that long experience and observa-
ton have convinced me that strict construc-
ton 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 Con-
gress, they have never failed to produce injuri-
Gus and unhappy consequences Many such
instances might be adduced, if this were the
proper occasion. Neither is it necessary for the
public service to strain the language of the
Constitution, because all the great and useful
powers required for a successful administration
OF the Government, both in peace and in war,
have been granted either in express terms, or
by the pialnest implication. Whilst deeply con-
vlnced OF these truths yet consider it clear
that under the war making power, Congress
may appropriate money toward the construc-
ton OF a military road when this is absolutely
necessary for the defence of any State or Terri
tory of the Union against foreign INVASION
Under the Constitution, Congress has power to
declare war, to raise and support armies, to
provide and maintain a navy, and to call forth
the militia to repel invasion. Thus endowed,
III an ample manner, with the war-making pow
er, the corresponding duty is required that the
United States shall protect each of them the
States) against invasion. How is it possible to
afford this protection to California and our Pa
cific possessions, except by means of a military
road through the territory Of the United States,
over which men and and munitions of war may
be speedily transported from the Atlantic States
to meet and repel the invader?
In case Of with naval power much
stronger than our own we should then have no
other available access to the Pacific coast be-
cause such a power would instantly close the
route across the 1Sthmus Of Central America.
1t is impossible to conceive that while the Con-
stitution has expressly required Congress to de-
fend all the States, it should vet deny to them
by any fair construction the only possible means
by which one of these States can be defended
Besides, the government, ever since its origin,
has been in the constant practice Of construct
ing military roads. 1t might also be wise to
consider whether the love for the Union which
now animates fellow -citizens on the Pacific
Coast may not be impaired by our neglect or re-
fusal to provide for them, in their remote and
isolated condition, the only means by which
the power of the States this side of the Rocky
Mountains can reach them in sufficient time to
protect them against invasion
| forbear, for the present, from expressing
an opinion as to the wisest and most econom-
cal mode in which the government can lend its
aid in accomplishing this great and necessary
work believe that many difficulties the
way, which now appear formidable, will, in
great degree, vanish as soon as the nearest and
best route shall have been satisfactorily ascer-
tanned"