Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-03-12


pared with the squandering of tie Public
Lands.
No nation in the tide of time has ever
been blessed with so rich and noble an in
heritance as we enjoy in the Public Lands.
In administering this important trust whilst
Ii may be wise to grant portions of them
for the improvement Of the remainder, We.
we should never forget that it is our cardi-
nal policy TO reserve these lands as much
as may be for actual settlers, and this al
moderate :. o,eo', W. sigl thus not only
promote the prosperi y Of the new States
by furnishing them hardy and indepen-
dent race of honest and industrious ci,i-
zens, but shall secure homes for. our chill
dren. and our children's children, as well
as those exiled from foreign shores who
may seek to improve their condition and to
enjoy the blessings Of civil and religious
liberty. Such emf grants have done
much to promote the growth and prospect
ty Of the country. They have proved
faithful. both in peace and in war. Af.er
becoming citizens. they are entitled u=der
the Constitution and Laws to be placed OH
a pc feet equally with nalive-born citizens
and IN this character they should ever kind
y be recognized.
The Federal Constitution is a grant from
the States to Congress Of cerain specific
powers, and the question whether this
grant shall be literally and strictly con-
strucied, has more or less divided political
parties from the beginning Without en-
tcring iatc the arguments. desire to state
at the commencement of my administra-
ton, that long experience and obser,a. ion
has convinced me thai strict cons,ruc ion
Of the powers of government is the only
true, AS well as he only s.fe theory of the
Const,uion
Whenever in our past history. doubt
ful powers have been exercised by Con-
gress. they have never faileo to produce in
furious and urhappy consequences. Many
such instances mi ssht be. ,atduced if this
were the proper occasion, peither is it nee
essarj for the public services to train the
language of the Constitution. because all
the great and useful powers required for
the successful administration of the gov
Il. -, h.v
been granted. Ell her in express terms oil
by the plainest impiica ion. While deep
iy convinced of the truth. yet consider
l. clear. tha. under the wzr-mahing power
Congress may appropriate money towards
the construction ola military road, when
;his is absolutely necessary for the defense
ofany State or Territory of the Uuiou
against foreign invasion.
Under the Constitution Congress has
power to declare war. to raise and supper,
armies. to provide and maintain 4 navy and
to call forth the mili-is to repel invasion.
Thus endowed in an ample manner with a
war-mak'aS power, the corresponding du
ty Is required that the United States shall
protect each of the States against inva-
sion
How is it possible to afford this protec-
tlon to California. and our Pacific posses
sions, except by means Of military road
through territories of the United States,
over which men and munitions of war NAV
be transported from the Atlantic States to
meet and repel the invader. In case Of a
war with naval power stronger than our
own, we would have no other available ac-
cess TO the Pacific coast, because such a
power would Instantly clos. the route
across the Islhmus Of Central America
IL is impossible to conceive it.
The constitution has expressly required
Congress TO defend all the States. 1t
should not deny them by any fair con
s,ruc;ion the only possible means by which
one Of the States can be defended. Be-
sides the government. ever since its origin,
has been in tho constant practice Of con
strucling Military Roads.
1t might also be wise to consider wheth
er the love for the Union which now ami
mates our fellow citizens on the Pacific
coast may moi be impaired by neglect or
refusal to provide fr them in their remote
and isolated cordi,,on. the only means by
which the power of the States ON this sile
of the Rocky Mountains can reach them
IN sufficient time TO protect them against
invasion. forbear for the present from
expressing an opinion as to the wisest and
most economical mode in which Govern
ment can lend its aid liz accomplishing this
great and necessary work. believe that
many difficulties in the way which appear
formidable, will, in great degree vanish
as soon as the nearest and best route shall
DO satisfactorily ascertained.
l,msy be right that on this occasion |
should make some brief remarks as to our
.-I.s