Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-03-14

the construction Of military road, when
this is absolutely necessary for the defence
OF any State Or Territory of the Union
against foreign invasion. Under the Co
stltution. Congress has power to declare
war; to raise and support armies, to pro-
vide and maintain a navy, and to call
iorth the militia to rcpel invasion.-Thus
endowed in ample manner with the war
making power, the corresponding duty
IS required, that the United States shall
protect each of them 1.-THE States) against
invaslon.-How is it possible 10 afford
Inas protection to California and our Pa
cine POSSESSIONS except. by means os 8
military road through the territory Of the
United States, over which men and mu-
nitions OF war may be speedily transported
from the Atlantic States. to meet and re-
pei invaders! & Is
In case of war with naval power
much stronger than our own, we should
then have no other available access to tho
Pacific coast. because such power would
instantly close the route across the 18th
mus of Central America. It is impossi.
BILE to conceive that while the Constitu-
ton has expressly required Congress to
defend all the States, it should yet deny
to them, by any fair construction, the on
~ possibly way by which one of those
TAsat tsssses can be defended. Besides, the
government ever since its origin, has
been in the constant practice 81 cuRstrtc-
ting military roads. It might also be
wise to consider whether the love for tho
Union which now animates our fellow
citizens on the Pacific coast may not bo
impaired by our neglect or refusal to pro-
vide for them in their remote and isolated
condition, the only means by which the
power of the States on this side of the
Rocky Mountains can reach them in suffi-
Gent time to protect them against inva-
sion. forbear for the present from ex-
pressing an opinion as the wisest and most
economical mode in which the govern
ment can lend its aid in accomplishing
this great and necessary work. believe
that many difficulties in the way, which
now appear formidable, will in great
degree vanish as soon as the nearest and
best route shall have been satisfactorily
ascertained.
Ii may be right that on this occasion !
should make some brief remarks as to our
rights and duties as member Of the great
family Of nations. In our intercourse
with them there are some plain principles.
approved by our own experience, from
which We should never depart. We
ought to cultivate peace, commerce and
friendship with all nations and this not
merely as the best means Of promoting
our own material interest, hat in a spirit
of Christian beneyolence towards our
fellow men wherever their lot may be cast.
Our diplomacy should be direct and frank
neither seeking to obtain more nor &C
cepting less than is our due. We ought
to cherish sacred regard for the inde-
pendence of all nations, and never at
tempt to interfere in the domestic concerns
of any, unless this sehall be imperatively
required BY the great law of self-preser-
walton.
10 avoid entangling alliance has been
a maxim of our policy ever since the days
Of Washington, and its wisdom no one
will attempt to dispute. In short. we
ought to do justice in kindly spirit to
ali aatans and reaarlg fsa6is sf While 9th 9TH.
er nations have extended their dominions
by the sword, we have never acquired
any territory except by fair purchase or.
as IN the case OF Texas, by the voluntary
determination OF brave kindred and in.
dependent people y blend their destinies
with our own.
Even our acquisitions from MeY;co
form no exception unwilling to take ad.
vantage of the fortune 81 war ao.;ns, a
sister republic. we purchacd these noe.
sessions under the treaty Oh peace. for !.
sum which was considered al the time a
fair equivalent.
Our past history forbids that "a shall
in the future acquire territory unIss this
be sanctioned by the laws Of justieesnd
honor. Acting on this principle. nor.
ton will have right TO interfere orr
complain if, in the progress Of events.
we shall still further extend our posses
sions. Hitherto, in all our acquisitions
the people under the protection of the
American flag haxe enjoyed civil and re-
ligious liberty, us well as equal and just
laws, rnd have been contcnted, prosper
GUS aud happy. Their trade with the
rest Of the world has rapidly increased,
and thus every commercial nation haa
shared largely in their successful pro-
gress. l shall now proceed to take the oath
prescribed by the Constitution, whilst
humbly invoking the blessing Of divine
Providence on this great people.