The true Democrat., 1857-03-17

ago excited and eXaSperated the public mind, 1 have passed away and are now nearly forgotten. But this question of domestic slavery Is of far greater importance than any mere political question, because, should the agitation conti- nue, 1t may eventually endanger the personal safety of large portion of our countrymen where the institution exists. In that event no form of government, however admirable in it. self-however productive of material benefits can compensate for the loss of peace and do nestle security around the family altar. Let every Union loving man, therefore, exert his best influence to suppress the agitation which, since the recent legislation of Congress- is with out any legitimate effect. It is an evil of the times that men have undertaken to calculate the mere material value of the Union.
 Recent estimates have been presented of the pecuniary profits and local advantages which would result to different States and sections from its dissolution, of the comparative injuries which such an event would inhict on other States and sections; even descending to this low and narrow view of the mighty question. All such calculations are at fault. The bare reference to single consideration will be con- elusive on this point. We at present enjoy q free trade throughout our extensive and expan- sve country such as the world never witness ed. This trade Is conducted on railroads and canals, on the noble rivers and arms Of the sea which bind together the north and the south, the east and the west of our contederacy- Annihilate this trade, arrest its free progress by geographical lines of jealous and hostile States and you destroy the prosperity and on- ward march of the whole and every part, and involve all in one common ruin. But such con- slderatons, important as they are Ill themselves, sink into lnsignltCance when we reflect on the terrific evils which would result from disu ion to every portion of the confederacy, to the north not more than to the south, to the eas not more than to the west. These l shall not attempt to portray, because feel an hum be confidence that the kind Providence which inspired our fathers with wisdom to frame thr most perfect form of government and union ever leyisen by man, will not suffer 1t to perish until 1t shall have been peacefully instrumental by it's example in the extension of civil and rel giOus liberty throughout the world.
 Next in importance to the maintenance of the constitution and the Union, s the duty oi observing the government free from the taint or even suspicion of corruption. Public virtue is the vital spirit of Republics, and history Troyes that when this has decayed, and the : the forms of free government may remain for a season, the substance has departed for ever.-- Our present financial condition is without a parallel in history No nation has ever before been embarrassed from too large surplus iu it's treasury. This almost necessarily give birth to extravagant legislation It produces wild schemes of expenditures, and be5ets a race of spectators and iobbers, whose ingenuity E.. ir dients to obtain the public money. Party, through its official agents whether TghtfuIly or wrongluIly is suspected, and the character o the government suffers in the estimation Of the people This is in itself d very great evil. The rational mode of relief from embarrassmeut i> to appropriate the surplus in the treasury tc great national objects, for which clear warrarr can be found in the constitution. Among then 1 might mention the eNtinguishmeut of the public debt and reasonable increase of th, navy, which is al present inadequate to the pro- tectiou of our vast tonnage aAoat, now greater than that Of any other nauDn as well as th4 defense of our extended sea coast
 l. k beyond question the true principle that no more revenue ought to be coll ectel from tht people, than the amount necessary to delray the expenses If wise, economical and efficient administration of tde government. To reaci tAis, t wa, ecessarv tO resort to a modification of the tariff, and tA.a MAS been accomplished II such manner as lo do aS little injury as ma, be pracluie to our domestic manufactures, es ! recjalIy those necessary tor the defense of th, country. Amy discrimination against pan tIcular bwlch fir the purpose ol heuefcin. ] tavor.te corporations individuals Or interest. would have uetn uuj just to tho rest of tHe com muNlty, and inconsistent with that spirit q fairness aud equality which ou-lt to govern ii the adjustment q a revenue tariff
 Hut tue sIuarderuI of the public mouey sinks into comparative iu>i5n.fcluce at atrup tatlon to corruption, when compared with tA sluanderu- of tle public lands.
 No nation ln the tide of time has ever beer blessed with so rich aud noble all iuhcritmc as we enjoy in the public lar d~ M almiu's tering this important trust, while it may b w'Se ,o grant portions " them for the improve ment of the remainder, vet we shJold neve forget that it is our cardinal policy lrresery these lands a- much as may be for actual sct tlers, aud tas at moderate prces We sAai thus not only best promote the pros perjty of th new States by furnishing them with hard aud independent race of hunestard iudustriou citizens, but shall secure homes for our chii! reu's children, as we'll as fJr those eXilel irou foreign shores who may seek in this countr tn improve their condition and to enjoy th blessings of civil and rrlj-ious liberty. Suci migrants have done much to promote tn growth and prosperity of the country. The, have proved faithful both u peace and war ; After becoming citizens they are entitled uud the constitution and laws tn be placed on a per feet equality with native born citizens and | this character they should ever be kindly r. cognzed
 The federal constitution is grant from tb States to Congress of certain specific tower. and the question whether thiS grant shall b
 ibera.ly and strictly construed has plore or les divided political parties from the beginning. ! Without entering into the argument desr to state. at the commencement of my admins tration, that long experience and observatio has convinced me that a strict construction C the powers of the government is the only tru as well as the only safe tuecrv of the cnnst tuition. Whenever, iu our past history, doub
 fll powers have been exercised bv Congres. they have never failed to produce injurious ali unhappy consequences. Many such instance might be adluced if this Were the proper ot casisn. Neither is it necessary for tue publ
 service 70 strain the language of the constiti tion, because all the great and useful powers r. quired for the successful administration of tn government, both in peace or in war, have De granted, either in express terms or by the plan est application. Whilst deeply convincei C these truths, yet consider 1t clear, that und, the war making power, Congress may appropr ate money towards the construction of mi
 tary road, when this j, absolutely nesoessar
 for the defence of any State or territory of tl
 Union against foreign invasion.
 Under the constitution, Congress- has DOW,
 to declare war, to raise and support armies,
 provide and maintain navy, and to call fort
 the militia to repel invasion. Thus eudowe
 n an ample manner in a war-makiug powe
 the corresponding duty is required that Il
 United States shall protect each of the Stat
 against invasion. How is it possible to aiioi
 this protection to California and our Pacit
 possessions, except by means of military roa.
 through the territories of the United State
 over which men and munitions of war may l
 speedily transported from the Atlantic State
 to meet and repel the invader? In case of
 4l