, 1857-04-17

that spirit of fairness and equality, which
onQht to govern in the adjustment of a
reyenue tarifI'-but the squanderng of the
nnblc money sinks into comparative inSig-
nifcance, as q temptation to corruption
when compared with the squandering OF
the public lands. -.
No nation in the tide Of time has ever
hepn blessed with so rich and noble an
inheritance as We enjoy in the public lands
In administering this important trust while
Il may be wise to grant portions of them
for the Improvement Of the remainder, yet
we should never forget that it is our cardi-
nal policy to reserve these lands as much as
NAV be for actual settlers, and this at
moderate prices. Wcshall thus not only
best promote the prosperity of the new
States, By furnishing them q hardy and
independent race of honest and industrious
citizens, but shall secure homes for our
children and our children's children as
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 religions liberty. Such emf
grants 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 perfect equality with
native-born citizens, and in this character
they should ever be kindly recognized
The Federal Constitution is a grant from
the States to Congress to certain specific
powers, and the question whether this grant
shall be literally or strictly construed, has,
more or less divided political parties from
the beginning. Without entering into the
argument, desire 10 state at the com
meucement of my administration, that long
experience and observation have convinced
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,
they have never failed to produce injurious
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 successful
administration of the Government, both in
neace and in war, have been granted either
in express terms or by the plainest implica
ton While deeply convinced iof these
truths, | vet consider it clear that under
the war-making power, Congress nav ap,
nropriate money toward the construction
Of n military road when this is absolutely
necessary for the defence of any State or
Territory of the Union against foreign
invasion. Under the Constitution. Con.
gress has power to declare war. to raise
and support armies, TO proyide and main
tain n navy. md to cali forth the militia
TO renel invasion. Thus endowed in al,
ample manner with the war-making power,
the corresponding duty is required that the
United States shall protect each of them
(the States against invasion. How is il
possible TO afford this protection to Cali.
fornia and our Pacific possessions except
by means of military road through the
territory Of the United States, over which
men and munitions OF war may be speedily
transported from the Atlantic to meet aud
repel the invader In case OF war with
naval power much stronger than our
own, we should then have no other aVaila'
Die access to the facinc coast, because
such a power would instantly close the
route across tue isthmns oil Central AmerI'
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