Minnesota weekly times., 1857-03-21

especially those necessary for the defense of the
country, AM yadiaaRiminAAioazegsiuss particus
lar branch for the purpose Of bene6tting favored
corporations, ihdividuas Or interests, would have
been unjust to the rest Of the community and
inconsistent with that sprit of fairness and equal
ity, which ought TO govern in the adjustment OF
revenue tarif-but the squandering Of the pub
lie money sinks into comparative insigni6cance.
as temptation to corruption, when compared
with the sauandering of the public lands.
No nation in the tide Of time has been blessed
With 90 rich and noble an inheritence as we enjoy in
the public lands. In administering this important
trust, while it may be wise to- grant portions Of
them for the improvement of the remainder, yet
| We should never forget that it 10 our cardinal
point policy to reserve these lands a. much as
may be for actual settlers, and this at moderate
prices. We shall thus not only best promote the
PROSPERITY Of the new States, by furnishing them
a hardy and independent race of industrious cit
isens, but shall secure homes for our children,
and our children's children, as well - 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
| emiprants have done much to promote the growth
and prosperity OF the country. Yhey 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
should ever be kindly recognized. ev2
The federal Constitution is grant from tho
States to Congress to certain specific powers, and
the question whether this grant shall be literally
or strictly construed, has more or less, divided
political parties from the beginning. Without
entering into the argument, desire to state at the
commencement of my administration, that long
experience and observation have convinced me
that strict construction of the powers of the
I: ehn o1,, all tho To-
safe theory OF the Constitution. Whenever, in
our past history, doubtful power have been exerci
sed by Congrsss they have never failed to produce
injurious and unhappy consequences. Many such
instances might be adduced it this were the pro-
per occasion.
Neither is it necessary for the public service to
| strain the language of the Constitution, because
all the great and useful powers required for a
successful administration of the Government,
in express terms or by the plainest implication.
While deeply convinced Of these truths. yet
consider it clear that under the war-making pow
or Congress may appropriate money toward the
construction of military road when this is ab-
solutely necessary for the defence of any State
or Territory of the Union against foreign inva-
sion. i.,.s,s- ,... fsf sr..a 7.g ..olF .'e ..go'
Under the Constitution Congress has power to
declare war, to raise and support armies, to pro-
VlO0 ou0 AAoluso4u . uovyS ouu w ooA4 AVIsu suO
militia to repeal invasion. Thus endowed in an
ample manner with the war-making power, the
corresponding duty4is required that the Uni
ted States shall protect each Of them (the States
against invasion. How is it possible to afford
this protection to California and our Pacific pos
sessions except by means Of military road
through the territory of the United States, over
which men and munitions Of war may be
speedily transported from the Atlantic States
- onA tko II. NE n
war with naval power much stronger than our
own, we should then have no other available ac-
cess to the Pacific coast, because such power
would instantly close the route across the Isthmus
of Central America.
1t is impossible to conceive that while the Con-
stitution has expressly required Congress to de-
fend all the States, il should yet deny TO them by
my fair construction the only possible means BY
which one Of these States can be defended. Be.
side, the Government, ever since its origin, has
been in tho constant practice OF constructing
military roads. IL might also be wise to consid.
or whether the love for the Union which now ami
mates our fellow-citisens on the Pacific Coast
may not be impaired BY our neglect or refusal to
provide fur them, in their remote and isolated
condition, the only means by which the power oi
| the States on this side of the Rocky Mountains
can reach them in sufficient time to protect them
| sgainst invasion. !, n .I''.. .sf. -
| / forbear, for the present from expressing ar
| opinion as to the wisest aud Iaest economical
mode in which the Government can lend its aid
| in nc accomplishing this great and necessary work
believe that many difficulties in the way, whict
now appear fovarable, will in q great degree
vanish as soon as the nearest and best route shall
have been satisfactorily ascertained. 'alaa
| 1t may be right that, on this occasion, should
mako some brief remarks as to our rights ant
duties as q member of the great Family Of Ma.
ti0ns. In our intercourse with them, thore ar,
some plain principles approved by our own exper
iepGe from which we shonld never depart. w,
| 0ughtto cultivate peace, commerce and friendship
with all nations, and this not merely as the bes
means of promoting our own national interest, bu
IN aspirit of Christian benevolence toward fellow
| men, wherever their lot may be cast. Our diplo
macy should be direct and frank, neither seeking
to obtain more nor acceI ting less, then is ou
due. We ought to cherish.a sacred regard fo
the Independence Of all nations, and never at
tempt to interfere in the domestic concerns o.
anV, unless this shall be imperatively required b,
the great law Of self preservation. '-ige ra
10 avoid entsngling alliances has been max
i'm OF our policy ever since the days Of Washing
ton, and its wisdom no one will attempt to dis
pute. In short We ought to do justice in kind
ly spirit to all nations, and require justice from
them in return. It is our glory that while othe
nations have extended their dominions BY tn
sword, We have never acquired any territory ex
oept by fair purchase, or Us in the case of Texas
BY the voluntary discrimination Of brave kind
red, and independent people to blend their des
tines with our own. Even our acquisitions from
Mexico form no exception. Unwilling to TAX
advantage of the fortune of war against siste
Republic, We purchased these possessions unde
the treaty Of peace fer sum which was consid
cred at that time fair equivalent. Our pas
history forbids that We shall in the future ac
quire territory unless this be sanctioned By tn
laws of justice and honor. Acting on this prin
ciple, no nation will have right to intefere or
complain if in the progress Of events we shal
still further extend our possessions. Hitherto
in all our soquisitions, the people under the pro
lection of the American flag have enjoyed civ
and religious liberty, as we'll as equal and ju.
laws, and have been conteated, prosperous an
| happy. Their trade with the rest of the worl
has rapidly increased, and thus every commercrs
nation has shared largely in their successful Pre-
, gress. shall now proceed to take the oath pr,
seribed By the Constitution, while humbly invt
king the blessing of div.ae Providence on th
great people,. fgo SCOT r9s3 g, -aiv o''r .s't'
1sl9 1,1s; ;'s,a3 q. g &, JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington, March 4. 1857. 49,
ca Eight years, ego first commenced the Rocl
| cater Knockin9s Now there ara thirteen name