Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-03-12

making power, the corresponding duty is re-
CURED that the United States shall protect
each OF them (the States) against INVASION
How is 1t possible to afford this protection to
California and our Pacific possessions except
by means OF military road through the terri
tory OF the United States, over which men and
munitions of war may be speedily transported
from the Atlantic States to meet and repel the
invader In case Of war with naval DOW
er much stronger than our own, we should
then have no other available access to the Pa
cillc coast because such power would instant
y close the route acOss the IsthmuS of Cen
trail America. 1t is impossible to conceive
that while the Constitution has expressly re-
quired Congress to defend all the States, it
should yet deny to them by any fair construc-
ton the only possible means by which one Ct
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 whe.
ther the love for the Union which now ami
mates our fellow-ctizens on the Pacific Coast
may not be impaired by our neglect or refusal
to provide for them, in their remote and isol-
ated condition, the only means by which the
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 expressing
an opinion as to the wisest and most economi-
cal mode in which the Government can lend
its aid in accomplishing this great and neces-
sary work. | believe that many difficulties in
the way, which now appear formidable, will,
in great degree, vanish as soon as the near
est and best route shall have been satisfactori-
ly aScertained
1t may be right that, on this occasion, T
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 promot-
ing our own national interest, but in a spirit
or Christian benevolence toward felowlnen,
wherever their lot mag be cast. Our diploma
cy shonld be direct and frank neither seeking
to obtain more nor accepting less than is our
due We ought to cherish a sacred regard for
the independence of all nations, and never at
tempt to interfere in the domestic concerns of
any, unless this shall be imperativeIy required
by the great law of selfpreservaton To avoid
entangling alliances has been 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 all nations, and require justice from them
in return. 1t is our glory that while other ma
tions 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 independent people to blend
their destinies with our own Even our acqui-
sitions from Mexico form no exception. Un-
willing to take advantage of the fortune of
war 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 forbids 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 interfere or to complain if in the pro-
gress of events we shall still further extend
our possessions, Hitherto in all our acquisi-
tions, the people under the protection of the
American flag have enjoyed civil and religious
liberty as we'll as equal and just laws, and
have been contented, 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 | shall now proceed to take the
oath rr. cribed by the Cons ut on, while hum
bly, invoking the blessing of Divine Providence
on this great people.
JAMES BUCHANAN