Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-03-07
It's example in the extension Of civil and religion.
liberty throughout the world.

even the suspicion Of corruption. Public yirtueis
the vital spirit of republics, and history proves
that when this has decayed and the love Of inono
has usurped its place, although the forms of FREQ
government may remain for q season, the sub.
stance has departed forever.
TOO MUCH MONEY on HAND.
| Our present financial condition is without mr.
allc in history. No nation has ever before ioo
embarrassed from too large surplus in its treas
ury This almost necessarily gives birth 10 cY-
travagant legislation. 1t produces wild schemes
Of expenditure and begets a race Of speculoiors
and jobbcrs, whose ingenuity is excited in cou,ri'
wing and promoting exYedicnts to obtain the nuh-
I lie money. The government through its official
agents, whether rightfully or wrongfully, Is sns'
pected, and the character Of the government SUE
iers in the estimation Of the psope. This Is in H.
self very great evil.
MEANS OF DEPLETION.
The natural mode Of relief from this emborross
ment is to appropriate the surplus in the treasury
to great national objects for which n clear warrant
can be found in the constitution Among these
might mention the extinguishment Of the public
debt. a reasonable increase Of the navy, which Ia
at present inadequate to the protection Of our vast
tonnage nioat, now greater than that of any other
nation, as well us the defense Of our extended sea
coast.
APPROVES THE REDUCTION OF THE TARIFF.
II is beyond all question the true principle that
people than the amount necessary to defray the or
penses of wise, economical and efficient admins.
tration Of the government. To reach this point il
was necessary TO resort to modification of the tar
i'll, and this has been accomplished in such n man.
ner as to do as little injury may have been prac
ticable to our domestic manufactures, especially
those necessary for the defense of the country
Any discrimination against particular branch
for the purpose Of benefting favored corporations.
individuals or interests, would have been unjust to-
the rest Of the community and inconsistent with
that spirit Of fairness and equality which ought to
govern in the adjustment of a revenue tariff
PUBLIC LANDs-sHouLD BE RESERVED FOR ACTUAL
/ SETTLERS.
But the squandering Of the public money sinks
into comparative insigni6cance as a temptation to
corruption, when compared with the squanderirx
Of the public lands. No nation in the tide of time
has ever been blessed with so rich and noble an
inheritance rs we enjoy in the public lands In
administering this important trust, whilst it may
be wise to grant portions Of them for the improve
ment Of the remainder, yet we should never forget
that il is our cardinal policy to these lands
as much as may be for actual settlers, and this at
moderate prices. We shall thus not only best pro-
mote the prosperity Of the new states, by furnish
ing them hardy and independent race of honest
and industrious citizens, but shall reserve homes
for our children ond children's children, as
well as for those exiles from foreign shores who
may seek in this country to improve their condi-
ton ana to enjoy the blessings Of civil and reig-
ious liberty. Such emigrants have done much to
promote the growth and prosperity of the country.
They have proved faithful both in peace and in
war. After becoming citizens they are entitled
under the constitution and laws to be placed on
perfect equality with native-born citizens, and in
this character they should ever be kindly recog-
nzed.
GOES FOR STRICT CONSTRUCTION.
The federal constitution is grant from the
states to Congress Of certain specific powers, and
the question whether this grant shall be literally
or strictly construed, has less divided po-
litical parties from the beginning. Without en-
o tering into the argument, desire to state at the
commencement of my administration that long ex-
, perience and observation have convinced me that
strict construction of the powers of the govern
y ment is the only true well the only safe the
ory Of the constitution. Whenever in our past his
tory, doubtful powers have been exercised by Con-
aRTGrf6syb" eStaedavfetled s,a6si s0tn -ifiyiaHs
ces might be adduced if this were the proper occa-
sion. Neither is it necessary for the public SER
vice TO strain the language Of the constitution be-
cause all the great and useful powers required for
: a successful administration ofthe government, both
! in peace and in war, have been granted either in
" express terms or by the plainest implication
II But ARGUES FOR TIE PACIFIC RAILROAD, FOR DE-
,, TENSE.
C Whilst deeply convinced of these truths yet con-
: slider it clear that under the war-making power
$ Congress may appropriate money towards the
+ structon of military road, when this is absolute
necessary for the defense Of any state terrific
ny of the Union against foreign invasion. Unde.
e the constitution, Congress has power to declare
: war; to raise and support armies, TO provide and
10 maintain navy, and TO call forth the militia tC
r repel invasion. Thus endowed in ample man.
l. ner with the war-making power, the correspond
l., ing duty is required that the United States shall
protect each of them, ''the states against inya
sion. How is it possible to afford this protection
to California and Pacific possessions, except b,
= means ola military road through the territory o.
= the United States, which men and munition.
> of war may be speedily transported from the At
p lantic states, to meet and repel the invader! In
IL case Of q war with naval power much stronger
than our own, we should have no other available
access TO the Pacific coast, because such power
IN would instantly close the route the isthmu
lie Of Central America 1t is impossible to conceive
that whilst the constitution has expressly requirc(
Congress to defend all the States it should yet de
it ny TO them, by any fair construction, the only pos
Dc sibe means by which one of these states can b
s. defended. Besides, the government, ever since it
ne origin, has been in the constant practice OF con
e. structing military roads.
ty IL might also be wise to consider whether tn
We love for the Union which now animates our felo'
he citizens on the Pacific coast, may not be mpaire
c, by our neglect or refusal to provide for them il
their remote and isolated condition, the only mean
ID by which the power of the states this side Of tn
,h Rocky mountains can reach them in sufficient tim
ry to protect them against invasion.
ct PROPOSES no PLAN.
u. forbear for the present from expressing a
e opinion as to the wisest and most economical mod
y. in which the government lend its aid in &C
=. complishing this great and necessary work b.
~ lieye that many difficulties in the way which nov
!. appear formidable, will in great degree vans
10 soon as the nearest and best route shall nav
I; :, been satisfactorily ascertaind.
GOOD WILL TO OUTSIDE BARBARIASs.
IL II may be right that on this occasion shoul
n make some brief remarks as to rights and d.
he ties as member of the great family Of nations
he In our intercourse with them there some pla
re- principles, approved by own experience fro
a which we should never depart. We ought to Gu
n tivate peace, commerce and friendship with all
tons, and this not merely as the best means
promoting our own material interests, but in
a. spirit of Christian benevoence towards our felc
n men, wherever their lot may be cast Our dipl
of macy should be direct and frank, neither seeki
- IN ohtain more nor accentinO less than il our dt