Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-11

character of the government suffers in the es
tination of the people. This is in itself yer
great evil.
The natural mode of relief from this embar
rassment is to appropriate the surplus in til
treasury to great national objects, for which
clear warrant can be found in the constitution
Among these | might mention the extinguisl
ment of the public debt, o reasonable increase c
the navy, which is at present inadequate to tn
protection of our vast tonnage ahoat, now great
er than that of any other nation, as well as
the defence of our extended seacoast
1t is beyond all question the true principl
that no more revenue ought to be collected fror
the people than the amount necessary to defra
the expenses of a wise, economical and etficien
administration of the government. To reac
this point 1t was necessary to resort to modi
fication of the tariff, and this has, trust, bee
accomplished in such a manner as to do as littl
injury as may have been practicable to our dom
este manufactures, especially those necessary fo
the defence of the country. Any discrimination
against particular branch, for the purpose o
benettting favored corporations, individuals, or in
terests, would have been unjust to the rest of com
munity, and inconsistent with that spirit of fair
ness and equality which ought to govern in thu
adjustment Of a revenue tariff.
But the squandering of the public money sinks
into comparative insignificance as temptation
to corruption when compared with the squan-
dering Of the public lands.
No nation in the tide of time has ever beer
blessed with so rich and noble an inheritance as
we enjoy in the public lands. In administering TIL:
important trust, whilst it may be wise to grant
no,t;ons Of tbap, tla itnprovapnant Of tho ra.
mainder, yet we should never forget that il is
our cardinal policy to reserve these lands as
much as may be for actual settlers, and this at
moderate prices. We shall thus not only best
promote the prosperity of the new States and
Territories by furnishing them hardy and in
dependent race of honest and Industrious citi-
zens, but shall secure homes for our children
and our chldren's children, rs well as for those
exiles from foreign shores who may seek in this
country to improve their condition, and to enjoy
the blessings of civil and religious liberty. Such
emigrants have done much to promote the
growth and prosperity Of the country. They
have proved faithful both in peace and in war
After becoming citizens, they are entitled, under
the constitution and laws to be placed on per-
feet equality with the native-born citizens; and
in this character they should ever be kindly re-
cogniZed.
The federal constitution is a grant from the
States to Congress Of certain specific powers
and the question whether this grant should be
literally or strictly construed, has, more or less,
divided political parties from the beginning
Without entering into the argument, desire to
state, at the commencement of my administra-
ton, that long experience and observation has
me that strict construction 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 Congress, these have
never failed to produce injurious and unhappy
Many such instances might be
if this were the proper occasion. Meth
er is it necessary for the public service to strain
the language of the constitution because all the
great and useful powers required for success
tul administration Of the government, both in
peace and in war, have been granted either in
express terms or by the plainest implication.
Whilst deeply convinced of these truths, l yet
consider it clear that, under the war-making
power, Congress may appropriate money towards
the construction of military road, when this is
absolutely necessary for the defence of any State
or Territory of the Union against foreign inva
err ITO declare war;" "to raise and support ar
mics" ''to provide and maintain navy" and to
call forth the militia to ''repel invasion" Thus
king power, the corresponding duty is required
that 1.-THE United States shall protect each of
them 1.-THE States] against invasion"
Now, how is it possible TO afford this protec
ton to California and our Pacific possessions ex-
cept by means of a military road through the
Territories of the United States, over which men
and munitions of war may be speedily transport
ed from the Atlantic States to meet and repel the
invader? In the event of war with naval
power much stronger than our own, we should
then have no other available access to the Pa
cifc coast because such power would instant
ly close the route across the Isthmus Of Central
America. 1t is impossible to conceive that
whilst the Constitution has expressly required
Congress to defend all the States it should yet
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 constructing military roads
1t might also be wise to consider whether the
owe for the Union which now anmates our fell
ow-citizens on the Pacific coast may not be i'm
paired by our neglect or refusal to provide for
them, in their remote and isolated conditon,the
only means by which the power of the States on
this side of the Rocky mountains can reach them
in sufficient time to protect them against inya-
sion.
| forbear, for the present. from expressing an
opinion as to the wiSest and most economical
mode in which the Government can lend its aid
in accomplishing this great and necessary work.
believe that many of the difficulties in the way
which now appear formidable will in great de-
gree vanish as soon as the nearest and best route
shall have been satisfactorily ascertained.
1t may be proper that, on this occasion should
make some brief remarks in regard to our rights
and duties as member of the great family OF ma
tons. In our intercourse with them there are
some plain principles approved by our own ex-
peIience, from which we should never depart.
We ought to cultivate peace, commerce and
with all nations, and this not merely
as the best means of promoting our own materl-
al interests, but in spirit OF Christian benevo-
lence towards our lelow-men, wherever their
lot may be cast. Our diplomacy should be direct
and frank, neither seeking to obtain more nor ac-
cepting less than is our due We ought to cherish
a sacred regard for the independence OF all
nations, and never attempt to interfere III the
domestic concerns Of any, unless this shall be
required by the great law OF self
To avoid entangling alliances has
been maxim of our policy ever since the days
of Washington, and its wisdom no one will at
tempt to dispute. In short, we ought to do JUS
tice, in kindly spirit, to all nations, and re-
quire justice from them in return
1t is our glory that, whilst other nations have
extended their domnions by the ord,we have
never acquired any territory except by fair pur-
chase, or, as in the case OF Texas, by the volun-
tnry discrimination of brave, kindred and in
dependent people to blend their destinies with
our own. Even our acquisitions from Mexico
form no exception. Unwilling to take advan-
tage of the fortune of war against sister re-
public, we purchased these possessions, under
the treaty of peace, for sum which was consid-
.-sd .. L. tir,a a tair enniyalent Qur mast