The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-03-10

instrumental, BY its example. in the extern.
sion OF civil and religious liberty through
out the world.
Next in importance to the maintenance Of
of preserving the government free from the
faint, or even the suspicion of corruption.
Public virtue is the vital spirit of republics
and history proves that when this has de-
cayed, and the love of money has usurped
its place, although the forms of free gov
eminent may remain for a season, the sub
stance has departed forever.
Our present financial condition is without
a parallel in history. No nation has ever
before been embarrassed from too large a
surplus in its treasury. This almost ne
cessarily gives birth to extravagant legis-
lation. 1t produces wild schemes of expen-
diture. and begets a race of spectators and
jobbers whose ingenuity is exerted in con-
irving and promoting exped,ents to obtain
public money. The purity of official agents.
whether rightfully or wrongfully, is sus-
pected, 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 en-
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 l might
mention the extinguishment of the public
debt, a reasonable increase of the Navy,
which is at present inadequate to the pro-
lection of our tonnage afoat, now greater
than that of any other NATHAN, as well as to
the defence of our extended sea-coast.
1t is beyond all question the true princi-
pie that no more revenue ought to be col
lected from the people than the amount ne
cessary to defray the expenses of a wise,
economical and efficient administration of
the government. To reach this point it
was necessary to resort to a modification of
the tariff, and this has, / trust, been ac-
complished in such a manner as to do as
little injury as may have been practicable
to our domestic manufac lures, especially
those necessary for the defence of the coun-
try. Any discrimination against a particu
lar branch. for the purpose of benefiting
favored corporations, individuals, or inter
ests, 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.
But the squandering of the public money
sinks into comparative insignifcance as
to corruption when compared
with the squandering of the 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
it may be wise to grant portions of them for
the improvement of the remainder, yet we
should never forget that it is our cardinal
policy te reserve these lands, as much as
may be, for actual settlers, and this at mod
derate prices. We shall thus not only best
promote the prosperity of the new States
and Territories by furnishing them hardy
and independent race of honest and indus
trious citizens, but shall secure homes for
our children and our children's children, as
we'll as for those exiles from foreign shores
who may seek in this country 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 prosperity OF the country
They have proved faithful both in peace
and 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 char
acter they should ever be kindly recognized.
The federal constitution is a grant from the
states to Congress of certain specific p"wers and
The question whether this grant should be literally
Or strictly construed, has, more or less, divided
political parties from the beginning. Without en-
erlng into the argument, desire TO state. at the
of my administration, that long
experience and observation have convinced Inc
that strict constr cuOn OF the powers OF the govern
ment the only true, Well as the only sale, theo-
ry OF the constitution. Whenever, in past his
tory, doubtful powers lave been exercised by Con-
gress these have never failed to produce Injuries
and unhappy consequences. Many such instances
might be adduced, il tins were the proper occasion.
Neither is it necessary tor the public service 10
strain the language OF the constitution because all
he great and useful powers required for success
tut administration OF the government, both in peace
and war, have been granted either i'll express terms
DR. by the painest implication.
Whilst deeply convinced of these truths, yet
consider II clear that, under the war.making pow
er, Congress may appropriate money towards the
OF military road, when this is abso-
utely necessary tor the defence OF any State or
Territory OF the Union against foreign INVASION
nder the constitution Congress has power TO de.
clare war; "to raise and support armies" ITO
provide and maintain a navy" 10 call forth the
militia 10 "repel lnvaslons." Thus endowed In
IN ample manner, with the wa making power, The
duty is required that. the United
States shall protect each OF them 1.-The States]
against INVASION" Now. how Is it possible TO al
ord this protection to California and Pacific
except by means OF military road
through the Territories of the United States over
which men and munitions OF war may be speedily
ira nsported from the Atlantic States 10 meet aid
epel the invader In event OF q with a
naval power much stronger than our own, we
should then have other available access to the
Pacific coast, because such power would instant
v close to the route across the lshmus OF Central
America. 1t is impossible to conceive that whist
he constitution has expressly required Congress te
defend all the States should yet deny to them, by
any fair construction, the only possible means by
which one of these States can be defended. Be-
,des the government, ever snce lis oIlgIn, has
,een in the constant practice OF constructing mill
airy roads Il might also be wise to consider
whether the love OF the Union which now animales
our fellow-citizens the Pacific coast may not
,e impaired by our neglect or refusal to provide
or them, ia their remote and isolated condition,
he only means by which the power OF the States,
IN this side OF the Rocky mountains, can reach
hem in sufficient time ,"pTOtect" them 'against
nvasion.' forbear for the present from express
ne an opinion as TO the wisest and most economi-
al mode in which the government can lend It's aid
n accomplishing this great and necessary work.
believe that many Of the difficulties in the way,
which now appear formidable, will, in great de-
yree vanish as soon as the nearest and best route
hall have been satisfactorily ascertanCd.
1t may be proper that, on this occasion, should
make some brief remarks in regard TO rights
md duties as a member OF the great family of ma
IONS In our intercourse with them there are
.o,,. ,,l,;,, nripcipies annroVed nv OlrO wu