Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-03-12

men and munitions of war may be speedily
transported from the Atlantic States to
meet and repel the invadora In case of q
war with naval power much stronger than
our own, we should then have no other
arailable access to the Pacific coast, because
such power would instantly close the
route across the Isthmus of Central Amer
lea. 1t is impossible to conceive that while
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 Beside 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 love for tie Union
which now animates our fellow citizens on
the Pacific Coast may not be our neglect
or refusal to provide for them, in their re-
mote and isolated condition, the only
means by which he power of the States on
this side of the Rocky Mountains can reach
them in sufficient time to protect them
against invasion.
l forbear, for the present, from express
ing 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. l 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.
1t may be right that, on this occasion, l
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 cul-
tivate peace, commerce and friendship with
all nations, and this not meraly as the best
means of promoting our own national in
terest, but in spirit of Christian bcnevo-
lence toward fellow-men, wherever their
lot may be cast. Our diplomacy should
be direct and frank, neither seeking to OBJ
tain more nor accepting less than is our
due. We ought to cherish sacred regard
for the Independence of all nations, and
never attempt to interfere in the domestic
concerns of any, unless this shall be imper-
atively required by the great law of self
preservation. To avoid entangling ALLAN
ces has been a maxim of our policy eve,
since the days of Washington, and its wis
dom no one will attempt to dispute. Il,
short, we ought to do justice in kindly
spirit to all nations, and require Justice from
them in return. 1t is our glory that while
other nations have extended their domin-
ions 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 a brave kindred, and in
dependent people to blend their destinies
with our own. Even our acquisitions
from Mexico form no exception. Unwill-
ing to take advantage of the fortune ofwar
against sister Republic, we purchased
these possessions under the treaty of peace
for a sum which was considered at the time
fair equivalent. Our past history for
bids that we shall in the future acquire
territory unless this be sanctioned by the
laws of justice and honor. Acting on this
principle, no nation will have right to in
terfere or to complain if in the progress Of
events we shall still further extend our pos
sessions. Hitherto, in all our acquisitions,
the people under the protection of the
American flag have enjoyed civil and re-
ligious liberty, as well as equal and just
laws, and have been cont nlented, prosperous
and happy. Their trade with the rest Of
the world has rapidly increased, and thus
every commercial nation has shared largely
in their successful progress. l shall now
proceed to take the oath prescribed by the
Constitution, while humbly invoking the
blessing of Divine Providence on this great
people. JAMES BUCHANAN.