True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-11

the States to congress oil cerlalh sPeclnc
powers and the question whether this
grant should be literally or strictly con-
strued, has, more or less, divided politi-
cal parties from the beginning With.
out entering into the argument, | desire
to state, at the commencement of my ad-
ministraIion, 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,
these have never failed to produce injur-
ious and unhappy consequences. Many
such instances might be added, if this
were the proper 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 q successful administration of the
government, both in peace and in war,
have been granted either in express terms
or by the plainest implication.
While deeply convicted of these truths,
yet consider it clear that, under the war
making power, Congress may appropri-
ate money towards the construction of Il
military road, when this is absolutel y ne
cessary for the defence of any State or
Territory of the Union against foreign in
vasion. Under the Constitution Con-
gress has power :" to declare war; to
raise and support armies; to provide and
maintain a navy; and to call forth the
MALTA to repel invasion" Thus endow'
ed in an ample manner with the war ma
king power, the corresponding dnly is
required that "the United States shall
protect each of them (the States against
INVASION" Now how is it possible to af-
ford this protection to California and our
Pacific possessions except by means OF
military road through the Territories of
the United States, over which men and
munitions of war may be speedily trans
ported from the Atlantic States to meet
and to repel the invader! In the event
Of war with naval power much strong
er than our own, we should then have ne
other available access to the Pacific coast;
because such a power would instantly
close the route across the lsthmus OF
Central America. Ii is impossible to
conceive that, whilst the constitution has
expressly required Congress to defend
all the States, it should yet deny 10 them.
by any fair construction, the only pos
sible means by which one Of these States
can be defended. Besides, the govern
ment, ever since its origin, has been in
the constant practice of constructing mil
itary roads.
1t might also be wise to. consider wheth-
er The love for the Union which now AMI
mates our fellow citizees on the Pacific
coast may not be impaired BY our neglect
or refusal to provide for them in their re-
mote and isolated condition, the only
means by which the power of the States
on this side of the Rocky Mountains can
reach them in sufficient time 10 protect
them against invasion. | forbear, for the
present, from expressing an opinion rs
to the wisest and most economical
mode in which the government can lend
its aid in accomplishing this great and ne
cessary work. | believe that many Of
the difficulties in the way which now ap'
pear formidable, will, in great degree,
vanish as soon as the nearest and best
route shall have been satisfactorily ascer.
tanned.
1t may be proper thai OIL this occasion,
| should make some brief remarks in re-
gard to our rights and duties as a member
of the great family of nations. In ou
intercourse with them there are some plalr
principles, approved by our own expert
ence, from which we should never de
part. We ought to cultivate peace, com
merce and friendship with all nations
, and this not merely as the best means o
promoting our own material interests, bu
in the spirit of Christian beneyolence t
our fellow men, wherever their lot ma,
be cast. Our diplomacy should be direc
and frank, neither seeking TO obtain NOR
. nor accepting less than is our due. w
e ought 10 cherish sacred regard for tn
e independence of all nations, and never al
f temp, to interfere in the domestic cor
# Germs of any unless tins shall be imper
e lively required by the great law ol Sc
e preservation.
r To avoid entangling alliances has bee
r maxim of our policy ever since til
days of Washington and its wisdom n
= one will attempt to dispute. In shor
e we ought to do justice, in kindly spirl
1t to all nations, and require justice fro1
a them in return.
l. 1t is our glory that, whilst other nj
is tions have extended their dominions b
a the sword, we have never acquired ar
1 territory except by fair purchase, or as
l. the. case of Texas, by the voluntary d
'e termination of brave kindred and ind
/. pendent people to blend their destinl
lie with our own. Even our acquisition
a. from Mexico form no exception; UNIV
le ling to take advantage of the fortune
rs war"against a sister Republic, we pu
N chased these possessions, under the ire
I'd ty of peace, for sum which was CO
IS sidered at the time a fair equivalent
in Our past history forbids that we shall
the future acquire territory unless this
lie sanctioned by the laws of justice a
fl honor. Acting on This principle, no r
en- ton will have right TO interfere or
he complain if in the progress Of events,
shall still further extend our possession
er Hitherto in all our acquisitions, the pt
n pie, under the protection of the Anne