M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-03-12

may seek IN this country W luiPIO'N
their condition and to enjoy the bless
sings of civil aud religious liberty.
Such emigrants have done much to
promote the growth and prosperity Of
the country. They have proved faith
ful both in peace and in war. After
becoming citizens, they are entitled
under the Constitution and laws to be
placed on a perfect equality with ma
tive born citizens, and in this charac-
ter they should ever be kindly recog-
nized.
The Federal Constitution is a grant
from the States to Congress ofcertain
specific powers, and the question
whether this grant shall be literally
or strictly construed, has more or less
divided political parties from the be-
ginning. Without entering into the
argument, desire to state, at the COM
mencement ofmy administration, that
long experience and observation has
convinced me that q strict construc-
ton ofthe powers Of the government
is the only true, as we'll as the only
safe theory ofthe Constitution. When.
ever, in our past history, doubtful
powers have been exercised by Con-
gress, they have never failed to pro-
duce injurious and unhappy conse-
quences. Many such instances might
be adduced if this were the proper &C.
casion. Neither is it necessary for
the public service to strain the Ian
guage of the Constitution, because all
the great and useful powers required
for the successful administration OF
the government, both in peace or in
war, have been granted either in ex-
press terms or by the plainest impli,
cation. While deeply convinced OF
these truths, l yet consider it clear,
that under the war making power
Congress may appropriate money to-
ward the construction OF q military
road, when this is absolutely necessa-
ny for the defence of any State or Ter
ritory of the Union against foreign in
vasion.
Under the Constitution Congress
has the power to declare war, to raise
and support armies, TO provide and
maintain q navy, and to call forth the
militia to repel invasion. Thus en-
dowed in an ample manner with a
war.making power, the corresponding
duty is required thatthe United States
shall protect each ofthe States against
invasion. How is it possible to afford
this protection to California and our
Pacific except by means Of
a military road through the territories
of the United States, over which men
and munitions Of war may be speedily
transported from the Atlantic States
to meet and repel the invader In
case of a wal with a naval power
stronger than our own, we shall have
no other available access to the Pa
cifc coast, because such apower wonld
instantly close the route across the
Isthmus Of Central America. 1t is
impossible to conceive it.
The Constitution has expressly re.
quired Congress to defend all the
States. 1t should not deny to them by
any fair construction the only possible
means by which one of these States
can be defended. Besides, the Gov
eminent, ever since its origin, has been
in the constant practice Of construct
ing military roads. 1t might also be
wise to consider whether the love for
the Union which now animates our
fellow-citizens on the Pacific coast
may not be impaired by neglect or re-
fusal to provide for them, in their re-
mote and isolated condition, the only
means by which the power Of the
States on this side ofthe Rocky Noun
tains can reach them in sufficient time
to protect them against invasion. l
forbear for the present from expressing
an opinion as to the wisest and most
economical mode in which govern
ment can lend its aid in accomplish,
ing this great and necessary work. !
believe that many difficulties in the
way which now appear formidable,
will in a great degree vanish as soon
as the nearest and best route shall be
satisfactorily ascertained.
1t may be right that on this occa-
sion | should make some brief remarks
as to our rights and duties as a mem
Der of the great 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 ofpromoting u own ma
terial interest, but in a spirit of Christ
ian benevolence toward our fellow men
wherever their lot may be cast. Our
diplomacy should be direct and frank,
neither seeking to obtain more nor ac-
cepting less than is Our due. We ought
to cherish a sacred regard for the in
dependence of all nations and never
attempt to interfere in the domestic
concerns of any, unless this shall be