American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-03-14

clare war;" "to raise and support ar.
mies.' ''toNprovide and msintain ns
wy" and to call forth the militis to "re-
pei inyasions.v Thus endowed in an
ample manner, with the war N king
power. the corresponding duty is requi.
red that tho United States shall pro.
teet each Of them the Statesl sgainst
invasion" Now. how is il possible to
afford thisproteciiop to California and
our Pacific possessions, except by means
Of military roads through the Terrific,
ries of the United States, over which
men and munitions of war may be spec
Oily transported from the Atlantic
States to meet andto repel the invaderY
In the event of war with naval
power much stronger than our own,
we should then have no other available
access to tho Pacific coast, because
such power would instantly close the
route across the isthmus Of Central
Ame,ica. 1t is impossible to conceive
that, whilst the constitution has express.
ly required Congress to defend all the
States, il should yet deny To them, by
any fair construction, the only possible
means by which one of these States can
be defended. Besides. the government,
ever since its origin, has been in the
constant practice of constructing mill
tary roads. ...T >tb.
1t might also be wise TO consider
whether the love for the Union which
now auimates our fellow.citizens on,he
Pacific coast may not be impaired by
our neglect or refusal To provide f,r
them, in their remote and isolated CON
diiion, the only means by which the
power of the States on this side Of the
Rocky Mountains can reach them in
Sufficient time to protect them against
Invasion. | forbear, for the present,
from expressing an opinion as to tho
wisest and most economical mode 10
which the government can lend its aidiip
accomplishing this great and necessary
work. believe that many ofthc diff
culres in tho way which now appear for.
midable will, in a great degree, vanish
as soon as the nearest and best route
shall have been satisfactory ascertained.
1t may be proper that, on this coca.
sion, should make some brief remarks
in regard to our rights and duties as
member Of the grea, family of nations.
In our intercourse with them there are
some plain principles. approved by our
own experience, from which we should
never depart We ought To cultivate
peace, commerce and friendship, with
all nations; and this not merely as the
best means of promoting our own ma.
lerial interests, but in spirit of Chris.
tian benevolence towards our fellow
men wherever their lot may be cast
| Our diplomacy should be direct and
frank, neither seeking TO obtain more,
nor excepting less than is our due. We
ought to cherish sacred regard for the
Independence of all nations and never at
tempt to interfere in the domestic con-
Germs ofany, unless this shall be impcr.
atively required by the great law of self
preservation. To avoid entangling alli-
ances has been maxim of our policy
ever since tbs days of Washington. and
its wisdom no one will attempt 10 dis
, pute. In short we ought to do Justice
in kindly spirit, to- all'nations, and re-
| quire justice from them in return. saH
tits our glory that. whilst other ma
lions have extended their dominions by
the sword, we have never acquired any
territory excep, by fair purchase. OF ss
in the case Of Texas, by the voluntary
determination of a brave kindred, aud
independent people 10 blend their dos
iipies with our own. Even our acqnisi-
lions from Mexico form no exception.
Unwilling to take advantage of the for.
tune OF war against sister republic, we
purchased these possessions under the
treaty Of peace, for a sum which was
considered at The time fair equivalent.
Our past history forbids that we shall in
the future acquire territory, unless this
be sanctioned by the laws of justice aud
honor. .ss.
Acting on this principle, no nation
will have right To interfere or TO com
plain if, in the progress of events, We
Hitherto in all our acquisitions, The poo
Pile, under the protection Of the Ameri-
can flag, have enjoyed civil and relig-
ious liberty. as well as equal and just
laws, and have been contented prosper
Gus and happy. Their trade with the
rest Of the world has rapidly increased |;
and thus every commercial nation has
shared largely in their successful prog
TesS. f.
! shall now proceed to take the oath
prescribed by the Constitution, whilst
humbly invoking the blessing of Divine
Providence on this great people.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WAsnrNeToN CITY, March 4ih 1857.
The New Tariff Bill. aut
The following are the principal pro.