Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-03-14

fully, is suspected, and the character of the
Government suffers in the estimation of the
people. This is in itself very great evil.
The natural mode of relief from this cm-
barrassment is to appropriate the surplus
in the treasury to great national objects,
for which clear warrant can be found in
the constitution,
Among these nigh, mention the e1tingushment Of
the public debt reasonable increase uf the Navy
which is nt present Inadequate TO the protection ofour
afOat. not greater Than that OF any other
nationals well as TO the defence OF our extensive
coast. It's beyond all question the principle that no
ought TO be collected from the people than
economical mud efficient administration of the govern
ment To reach this point. it was necessary TO resort
modification of the tariff and this has TRUST been
ccomp lshed IN such manner as 10 do as little INJURY
may have been practicable TO our domestic manufnc
especially those necessary for the defence of the
country. Any discrimna against part branch
for the purpose OF benettng favored corporations, in
dvduals Interests, would have been unjust TO the
of the community aud inconsistent with that spirit
of fairness and equality which ought TO govern in the
adjustment off revenue tariff. But the squanderng OF
the public money sinks into comparative nsgnifcance
rs temptation TO corruption, when compared with the
squandering Of the public lands No nation IN the tide
OF time has ever been blessed with rich and noble
inheritance = enjoy in the Public Lands In ad
ministring this important trust whilst II may be wise
10 grant portions Of them for improvement the
remainder, yet we should forget that il is
dina policy to preserve these lands much may be,
far actual settlers and this at moderate pIices We
shall thus only best promote the prosperity OF the
States and Territories, by furnishing them hardy
and independent raeeof honest and industrious citizens
but shall homes for children and our chdens
children. well for those exies from foreign shores
who may seek this country TO condition
andto enjoy the blessings OF civil aud religious liberty
emigrants have done much TO promote the growth
and prosperity of,he county. They have proved faith
they entitled nder the constitution and laws, 10 be
placed perfect equality with native born citzens and
in this character they should ever be kindly recognized
The Federal constitution is grant from the State
Congress- 10 certsin specific powers and the question
whether this gra should be literally or strictly con.
struod, has divided political parties from
the beg nning. Without entering into the argument,
desire to the commencement Of my udtninistTa
ton that long experience and observation have con-
vinced that strict construction OF the powers OF
f ng ,h,u os .hs Teaiin,inn Wheneyer IN on,
past history doubtful powers have been exercised BY
Congress these have never failed to produce injurious
and unhappy consequences. MANY such Instances
might be adduced, if this were the proper OCCASION
Neither is il necessary for the public service to strain
the language oi the Constitution because all the great
and useful powers required for successful admnstra
ton Of the Cover both In peace and war have
been granted either in express ter or by the painest
implication. Whist deeply convinced Of these truths
yet consider ii clear that under the war max ng pow.
Congress- may appropriate money towards the con
necessary fot the defence OF any Stale or Territory OF
| ih. Uuon, against foreign INVASION Under the Con.
| sttution Congress has power Ito dec laIe war; to
raise and support armies TO provide and maiutan
navy"-and 10 call forth the militia To repei inva.
| sion" Thus endowed IN an ample manner with the
war making power the corresponding duty required
s Is sa9 81
afford this protec0n to California aud Pac life pos
Except sy % means n,ed ot r0Sa s
and ammunition OF war hiny be speedily transported
from the Atlantic states to meet and repel the invader
In the event of war with naval power much
stronger than our should have no other avai
able to the Pacific coast. because such powe
would instantly close the route across the Isthmus o
Central America. II is impossible to conceive tha
whilst the Constitution has expressly ,equir red Con
gress defend all the States il should yet deny tC
Them any far construction the only possible me n'
by which one Of these s tates can ne defended Be
sides the Government ever since its or igin has beei
in the constant prac &C fconsruc liary roads
II mi ght also b. wi to consider whether the lsvt
the Pacific coast may not be impaired by our nesec
refusal to provide for them their remote and iso
ofthe states on this aide Of the Rocky Mountas cal
reuch them in sufficient time 10 protect them again
invasion,
ferbear tor the present from ressng an opin,o
the wisest and most economical mode in which tn
Government eau lend its aid in accomplishing thi
great and ecessary work, believe that many Of til
di icu lilies in the way which appear formidable
will in great deg rec vans!, soon the neares
and bes, route sha have been satisfactorily aseer
tanned. II may be right that on This occasion shou
make some brief remarks in regard to rights
duties a member of the great family OF nations. II
intercourse with them there some plain pri
ciples approved byour own experience from which W.
should never depart.
We ought to cultivate peace, commerce, and friend
ship with all nations, and rhis not merely the bes
means OF promoting material interest, but il
spirit of Christian benevolenre towards lie How mcr
, wherever their lot may be cast.
Our dip lomacy shou Id be direct and frank neithe
seeking 10 obtain more nor accepting less than is ou
due. We ought TO cherish ed regard for the dc
pendcnee of all nations and never attempt to inIerier
in the domestic concerns OF any unless this shall
imperltively required by the eat law of sefprcser
walton. To uvoid entangling alliences has been
I'M Of our policy ever since the days of Washingto
and its wisdom no one vii attemp, TO dispute.
In short, we ought to do justice kindly spirit t
all nations and require justice from them return
Ii our glory that whilst other natious have exten
ded their doninions by the sword have never ac
CURED any territory except by air purchase, as
the case Of Xas by the voluntary dete of
brave kindred and Independent people blend thei
destinies with our own. Even our acquisitions iroI
Mexico form no exception. Unwilling 10 take adva n
tage ofthe fortune ofwar against sister Republic
these POSSESSIONS under the treaty OF peRc
for sum which was consdered at the time tr equiv
aent. Our past history forbds that should In III
future acquire territory, unless tins be sanctioned
the laws of Justice and HOnor. Acting this pri
pie, nation Will have right interfere CON
plain il in the progress of events shall still furthe
extend our possessions. Hitherto in all acquis
tons the people under The protection of the Ane rica
flag have enjoyed civil and religious berty well
equal and Just laws, aud have been cOntcnted prosper
Gus and happy. Their trade th the rest OF the
has rapidly eased, and thus every rcial nj
tion has shared largely in their successful progress
shall now proceed TO take the oath prescriba1 by Il
ConsttutOn-whist humbly invoking the bic ssin gs
Divine Providence on this great people,
JAMES BUCHANAN,