Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-03-11
THE RAFTsMAN's JOURNAL,

or even the suspicion OF corruption. Public
virtue is the vital spirit of Republics and
history proves that when this has decayed and
the love of money has usurped its place, al
though the forms Of free Government may re-
main for a season, the substance has departed
forever.
Our present financial condition is without a
parallel in history. No nation has ever before
been embarrassed from too large a surplus in
its treasury. This almost necessarily gives
birth to extravagant legislation. 1t produces
wild schemes of expenditures and begets a
race of spectators and jobbers, whose ingenu-
ity is exerted in contriving and promoting ex-
pedients to obtain public money. The purity
of official agents, whether rightfully or wrong
fully, is suspected, and the character of the
Government suffers in the estimation of the
people. This in itself is very great evil
The natural mode of relief from this embar-
rasSment is to appropriate the surplus in the
Treasury to great National objects, for which
a clear warrant can be found ir the Constitu-
ton. Among these l might mention the ex-
tinguishment of the public debt, a reasonable
increase Of the Nayy-wbich is at present in
adequate to the protection of onr vast tonnage
afioat, now greater than that of any other ma
ton, as well as to the defence of our exten-
sive sea coast.
1t is beyond all question the principle that
no more ravenue should be collected from the
people that the amount necessary to defray
the expenses of wise. economical, and eff
cient administration of the government. To
reach this point, it was necessary to resort to
a modification of the tariff, and this has,
trust, been accomplished in such manner
to do as little injury as may have been practi-
cable TO our domestic manufactures, especial
~ those necessary for the defence of the coun-
try. Any discrimination against particular
branch for the purpose OF beneftting favored
corporations, individuals or interests, would
and inconsistent with that spirit of fairness
and equality which ought to govern in the ad-
justment OF a revenue tariff.
But the squandering of the public money
sinks into comparative insignifcance as
temptation to corruption, when compared with
the squandering of the public lands. No ma
tion in the tide of time has ever been blessed
with rich and noble an Inheritance as we
enjoy in the public lands. In administering
this important trust, whilst il may be wise to
grant portions of them for the Improvement of
the remainder, yet we should never forget that
it is our cardinal policy to preserve these
lands, as much as may be, for social settlers
and this at moderate prices.
We shall thus not only promote the best
prosperity of the new States and Territories
by furnishing them hardy and Independent
race of honest and industrious citizens. but
shall secure homes for our children and our
chidren's children, as well as 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
emigrants have done much to promote the
growth and prosperity of the country They
have proved faithful both in peace and war
After becoming citizens they are entitled, un-
der the Constitusion 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 of certain
specific powers, and the question whether this
grant should be literally and strictly conStru-
ed, has more or less divided political parties
from the beginning.
Without entering into the argument, I de-
sire to state, at the commencement of my ad-
ministration, that long experience and obser-
walton have convinced me that strict con-
struction 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 pro-
duce Injurious and unhappy consequences
Many such Instances might be adduced, if this
we're the proper occasion. Neither is il ne
ceSSary for the public service to strain the Ian
guage of the Constitution, because all the
great and useful powers required for sue
cessful administration of the Government,
both in peace and in war, have been granted
either in express terms or by the plainest i'm
plication.
Whilst deeply convinced of these truths,
yet consider it clear, that, under the war-mak-
ing power, Congress may appropriate money
towards the construction OF military road,
when this is absolutely necessary for the de-
fence of any State or Territory of the Union,
against foreign invasion. Under the Constita-
ton, Congress has power s'to declare VAR
.'to raise and support armes"-Esto provide
and maintain navy and to call forth the
militia to ssrepel invasion.'' Thus endowed
in an ample manner with the war-making pow
er, the corresponding duty is secured that ssthe
United States shall protect each of them (the
States) against INVASION" Now, is it posi-
bic to afford this protection to California and
our Pacific possessions except by means of a
military road through the Territories of the
United States, over which men and ammuni-
tions of war may be speedily transported from
the Atlantic States to meet and repel the in
vader. In the event of a 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 1sthmns of Gen.
tral America. 1t is impossible to conceive,
that whilst the Constitution has expressly re-
quired Congress to defend all the States, it
should yet deny to them by any fair construc-
tion 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 10 consider
whether the love for the union which now an
imates our fellow citizens on the Pacific coast
may not be impaired by our neglect or refusal
to provide for them in their remote and isola-
ted condition, the only means by which the
power of the State on this side of the Rocky
Mountains can reach them in sufficient time to
protect them against invasion.
l forbear for the present from expressing an
opinion as to the wisest and most economical
mode in which the Government can lend its