Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-12-15


efjIsion OF blood. We can IN This man.
per best convince them that we are tbei,
friends, not their enemies. In order tc
accomplish this object it will be necessary
according TO the estimate of the War De-
partment, to raise four additional repi-
ments; ard this | earnestly recommend
TO Congress. At the present moment of
depression In the revenues of the country.
| am sorry 10 be obliged to recommend
such measure but | feel confident of
the support of Congress, cost what II NAV
in suPpressIng the insurrectlon, and in
restoring and maintaining the sovereign
~ Of the CONSTITUTION and laws over The
Territory of Utah.
| recommend to Congress the establish
melt of Territorial Government over
Arizona, Incorporating with It such por-
IONS Of New Mexico as they NAV deem
expedient. | need scarcely adduce ar
gunents IN support OF this recomlnenda-
ION. We are bound TO protect the lives
and properly OF our citizens inhabitinU
Arizona, aad these are now without any
eth lea. protection. Their present num-
Der IS AREA y considerable, and is rap
idly increasing, uo,wIthsta nding the DIS
advantages under which they labor. Be-
sides, the proposed Territory is believed
10 be rich III mineral and agricultural re-
sources, especially IN silver and copper.
The mails Of the United States TO Califor-
MA are now carried over it throughout lis
whole extent, and this route is known to
be the nearest, and believed to be the
best 10 the Pacific.
Long experience has deeply convinced
me that 4 strict construction of the pow
ers granted 10 Congress is the only true,
as well as the only safe theory of the
Constitution. Whilst this principle shall
guide my public conduct, | consider ii
clear that the war-making power, Con
grcss, may appropriate money for the
construction OF a military road through
the Territories Of the United States when
this IS absolutely necessary for the de-
fence OF any Of the States against foreign
INVASION. The constitution has conferred
upon Congress power '.to declare war
/" t1 raise aud support armies to pro-
vide and maintain a navy" and call forth
tie militia = TO repel invasons." These
nigh sovereign powers necessarily Involve
important and responsible public duties,
ii among them there is none so sacred
an 50 lmperItive as that of preserving
cur soil from the invasion Of foreign
enemy. The constitution has, therefore,
lett nothing Oh this point to construction,
hul expressly requires that 1.-The United
States shall protect each of them The
States against invasion" Now, Il
military road over our own Territories b.
lHdIspenSiG.y necessary 10 enable Us to
meet AMI repel the INA e, il follows a
+. necessary consequence not only that We
possess the power, but 1t IS eur lupcritIvr
dWy 10 construct such road. II would
h an absurduy to lnves, i government
with the unlimited power 10 make and
conduct war, and at the same time de-
ny 20 Il the Gully means Of reaching and
drteatiRg the ene,Hy at the frontIcr-
without such a road 1t is quite evident we
cannct protect" California and cur Pa
e.flc possessions against INVASION" W
cannot by any other means transport men
aud munitions of war from the Atlantic
States IN sufficient time successfully L.
defend these remote and distant portions
Of the Republic.
Experience has proved that the routes
across the Isthmus of Central America
are Al least buI very uncertain a "a uu-
reiable mode of communication. But
even Il tn were not the case, they would
i; once be closed against Us in the event
Of war with naval power 50 much strong
eT than our own as 10 enable II to block
abe tie ports Al either end of these routes
Atter ali .ercfore, we can Only RELY upon
a military road through our own terrific
RES, amt ever since the origin Of the
Government, Congress has been In the
partice Of approprIatlng money from Tho
public treasury tor the construction Of
such roads.
The difficulties and expenses oC con
s,TUeuay military railroad to counect
eur Atlantic and Pacific States have been
greatly exaggerated. The distance on
The Aglz5uIa route near the 32d parallel
9, NORTH latitU le, between the western
boundary Of Texas on the Rio Grande
and the eastern boundary Of California on
HE Colorado, from the best explorations
low within our knowledge, does not ex-
cteI four hundred and seveuy miles and
NE tate Of the country Is, IN the main,
iaroTabIe. For obvious reasons the Gov
eminent ought not TO undertake the work
ISL hy means of lis own agents. This
ought 10 be committed TO other agencies,
winch Congress might assist either by
grants of land or money, or by both, upon
such terms and conditions as they may
deem most beneficial for the country
Provision might thus be made not only
Tor the safe, rapid aud economical trans
Iorlapon Of troops and munitions of war,
but also of the public mails The com
mercjal Interests of the whole country,
both East and West, would be greatly
promoted by such Il road, ant. above all,
= would be a powerful additional bond OF
union. And although advantages of this
KIND, whether postal, commercial, or po-
-ucal, cannot confer constitutional power,
Vt they may furnish auxiliary arguments
n favor of eXpediating a work which, in
my judgement, is clearly embraced with
IL The war-makIng power.
r or these reasons / commend TO the
friendly consideration of Congress the
subject of the Pacific Railroad y,-irhouf