Arkansas intelligencer., 1857-03-27

more than to the south, to the east not more
than to the west These shall not attempt
to portray, because / feel an humble conf
dence that The kind Providence which inspir-
ed our fathers with wisdom to frame the most
perfect form of government and union ever
devisen BY man, will not suffer it to perish
until it shall have been peacefully instrument
al by its example in the extension Of civil and
religious liberty throughout the world
Next in importance TO the maintenance Of
the constitution and the Union is the duty Of
preserving the government free from the taint
or even suspicion of corruption. Public vir-
tue is the vital spirit of republics, and history
proves that when this has decayed, and the
love of money has usurped its place, although
the forms of free government may remain for
a season, the substance has departed for ever
Our present financial condition is without
parallel in history. No nation has ever be-
fore been embarrassed from too large a sur.
plus in its treasury. This almost necessarily
gives birth To extravagant legislation. 1t
produces wild schemes of expenditures, and
begets a race ofspeculators and jobbers, whose
ingenuity is exerted in contriying and pro-
noting expedents TO obtain the public mo-
ncy. Party, through its official agents, whe.
ther .ightiuIly or wrongfully, is suspected,
and the character of government suffers in
the estimation Of the people. This Is in il
self "a very great evil. The rational mode of
relief from embarrassment, Is To appropriate
the surplus 10 the treasury to great national
objects, for which clear warrant can be found
in the constitution. Among them | might
mention the eXtingui,hment of the public
debt, aud reasonable increase of the navy,
winch !, at present inadrquate 10 the protec-
tion of our vast tonnage ailoit, now greater
than that of any other nation, a. we'll As the
detcuse OF our extended sea coast.
1t Is beyond question the true principle
that no more revenue ought To bc collected
from the people, Than The amount necessary
10 dcirIy the expenses OF wise, economical
and efficient administration of the govern
meut. To reach this, it was necessary TO re
sort To modification Of the tariff and this
has been accomplished IN such "a manner as
10 do as little INJURY as may be practicable to
our domestic manufactures, especially those
necessary for the defense of the country
Any discrimination against particular branch
for the purpose of benetittng f.trorte corpo
rations, individuals or interests, would have
been unjust TO the rest of the community, and
inconsistent with that spirit Of fairness and
equality which ought To govern in the adjust
meut of revenue tariff.
But the squandering of the public money
sinks into comparative Insigmiicance a, "a temp
tatIon to corruption, when compared with the
squdndering OF the public lands
No nation in the tide of time has ever been
blessed with SO rich and inheritance as we en-.
Joy IN the public lands. In administering
this important trust, while it may be wise T.
grant PORTIONS of them for the improvement
of the remainder, yet we should never forget
that it is our cardinal policy to reserve these
lands as much as may be tor actual settlers,
and this at moderate prices. We shall thu,
not only best promote the prosperity of the
new States by furnishing them with hardy
aud independent race of honest and Industri-
Gus citizens, but shall secure homes for our
chitdren's children, as well as those cNiIed
from foreign shores, who may seek in TIN,
country to improve their condition aud ID en-
JOY the blessings OF civil and religious liberty.
Such emigrants have done much to prumot.
the growth and prosperity of the country
The, have proved faithful both in peace and
war; After becoming citizens they are enti-
tied under the constitution and laws to be
placed on perfect equality with native born
citizens and III THIS character they should ever
be kindly recognized.
The federal constitution is a grant from tn.
States 10 Congress of certain specific powers
aud the question whether this graft shall b,.
literally and strictly construed, has more or
l'ss divided political parties from the b-gin-
nIns. w Ithout entering into the argument
L desire 70 state, at the commencement OF my
administration, that long experience aud ob.
serVaton, has convinced me that a strict con-
structIon OF the powers of the government is
the only true well as the only safe. theory
ot the constitution. Whenever, IN our p,.t
history, doubtful powers have been exercised
by Congress, they have never failed t. pro
duee injurious aud unhappy consequence
Many such Instances might be adducrl #
this were the proper occasion. Neither Is il
Necessary Tor the public service 10 strain the
language ot the constitution, becanse all the
great and useful powers required for the sue
ces>iul administration vi the government both
Ia peace or IN War, have been grant, d, either
slu express terms or by the piaIncst applica-
lion. " h'ist duci ~ conN need of these facts
yet consider IT clear, that under the war
maNinS power, Congress may appropriate
money towards the Construction OF a military
road, when this Is absolutely necessary for
The deience OF any State or territory of The
Union against foreign invasion
Under The constitution, Congress has pow
er to declare war, to raise and support armies,
to provide aud maintain navy. and to call
forth the militia to repel invasion. Thus en-
dowed IN an ample manner in war making
power, the corresponding duty is required
that the United States shall protect each of
the States against invasion. Now is it pos
slole to afford this protection to California
and our Pacific possessions, except by means
OF military roads through the territories of
the United States, over which men and mu-
nItions OF war may be speedily transported
from the Atlantic States, to meet and repel
the invader! In case of a War with q naval