The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-03-11
suffers in tbe estiuatiOnOf the people. This Is


Among these | might mention the extiuguish-
ment Of the public debt, a reasonable increase OF
the navy, which is at present inadequate to the /
protection Of our vast tonnage afinat, now great
er than that ofany other nation as wen as TO the
defence OF our extended sea coast. II
IL Is ieyond all question the true principle (
that no more revenue ought to be collected from
Tie people than the amount necessary to deiTay
;he expense Of wise, economical efficient adj
ofthe government. To reach this .
4, lat il was necessary to resort 10 mobilization
ol the tariff, and this has, | trust been accom- I
i,iiShed in such manner as to do so little iniu-
ry aS may have been practicable to our domestic I
especially those necessary 10 the /
defence Of the country. Any dissemination
against particular branch, for the purpose Of
henetiting favored cortorationS, individuals or
interests, would have been unjust to the rest of
tie community, and inconsistent with that spir-
1t OF fairness and equality which ought to govern
in the adjustment Of a revenue tariff.
But the squandering Of the public money
sinks into apparent inSignificancc as a iempta-
ton to corruption when compared with the
sqCanderlng of the public lands.
No nation in the tide Of time has ever been
blessed with so rich and noble an inheritance as
we enjoy in the public lands. In administer
ing 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 om cardinal policy to reserve these lands as
much as may be for actual settlers and this at
moderate prices. We shall thus not only best
promote the prosperity Of the States and Terri
tories by furnishing them hardy and independ-
ent race of honest and industrious citizens but
shall secure homes for our children and our chill
drens children, as well as those exiles from for
eign shores who may seek in this country to i'm
prove their condition, and TO enjoy the blessings
of civil and religious liberty. Such emigrants
have done much to promote the growth and pros
perty Of the country. They have proved faith
iul 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
the native born citizen, and in this character
they should ever be kindlyssreceived.
The federal Constitution is a grant from the
States to Congress of certain specific powers;
and the question whether this grant should 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 admlniStra
tion, that long experience and observation has
convinced me that strict construction of the
powers Of the government is the only true, as
well as the only safe theory of the constitution.
Whenever, in our past history, doubtful powers
have been exercised by Congress, they have ne
yer fail0d to produce injurious and unhappy con-
sequences. Many such instances might be ad-
ded if this were the proper occasion.
Neither is it necessary for the public service
to strain the language of the Constitution; be-
cause all the great and useful powers required
for a successful administration of the govern
ment, both in peace end war have been gran
ted either in express terms or by the painest
implication.
While deeply convinced Of these truths, l
yet consider it clear that, under the war-ma-
king power, Congress may appropriate money
towards the construction of military road,
when this is absolutely necessary for the defence
of any State or Territory Of the Union against
| foreign invasion. Under the Constitution Con-
gresS has power "to declare war;" 'to raise and
support armies;' "to provide and maintain ma
| vy;' and call forth the MALTA to 'repel inva
SION" Tins endowed in an ample manner
with the war making power, the corresponding
duty is required that "the United States shalt
protect each Of them (the States) against inva-
sion" Now, how is it possible to afford this
| protection to California and our Pacific posses-
sions except by means of 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 the event Of war with naval power
much stronger than onr own we should then
have no other available access to the Pacific
coast because such power would Immediately
close the across the lsthmus of Central Ameri-
ca. 1t is impossible to conceive that, whilst the
Lceo t
defend all the States it shonld yet deny to them
by any fair construction, the only possible
means by which one of these States oan be de-
Tended. Besides, the government ever since
its origin, has been in the constant practice oI
constructing military roads
Itmight also be wise to consider whether the
love for the Union which now animates onI fel.
low-citizens on the Pacific caast may not be i'm
paired by our neglect or refusal to provide for
them in their remote and insulated condition
the only means by which the power of the
States on this side ofthe Rocky Mountains car
reach them in sufficient time to protect them a,
gainst invasion.
forbear, for the preseut, from expressing al
opinion as to the wisest and most economical
mode in which the government can lend its aid
in accomplishing this great and necessary work
believe that many the difficulties in the way
which now appear formidable will, in great
degree, vanish as soon as the nearest and best
route shall have been satisfactorily established
1t may be proper that, on this occasion,
should make some blief remarks in regard tC
our rights and duties as a greet member of the
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 10 cultivate peace
, commerce and friendship with all nations; and
this not merely as the best means of promoting
our own material interest, but in spirit ofChrs-
tan benevolence towards our fellow men, wher
ever their lot may be cast. Our diplomacy
should be direct and frank, neither seeking tc
obtain more nor accepting less than is our due
We ought to cherish sacred regard for the in
dependence Of all nations, and never attempt to
interfere in the domestic concerns of any unless
this shall be imperatively requiaed by the great
laws ofset-preservation.
To avoid entangling aIiences has been a max
um of our policy ever since the days of Wash
ington and its wisdom no one will attempt to
dispute. In short, we ought to do justice in Q
kindly spirit, to all nations, and require justice
rom them in return.
1t is our glory that, whilst other nations have
extended their dominions by the sword, We
have never acquired any territory except by fail
purchase or, as in the case of Texas, BY the
voluntary determination oFa bIaye, kindred and
independent people to blend their destinies with
our own Even our acquisitions from Mexico
form no exception. Unwilling to take advan.
tage o. the fortune of war against sister Re-
public, We purchased these possessions, under
the treaty Of peace, for sum which was con-
, sidered at the time fair equivalent. Our pas
! history forbds that we shall in the future ac
!, qupe territory. unless this be sanctioned by The