Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1857-03-13

der the constitution and laws, TO be |
placed on perfect equality with native
born citizens; and in this character they
should ever be kindly recognised.
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 administration, that long experience
and observation have convinced me that
a 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 ifljuri-
Gus and unhappy consequences. Many
such instances might be adduced, 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 successful administration of the
government, both in peace and in war,
have been granted, either in express
terms or by the plainest implication
Whilst deeply convinced of these
truths, | yet consider it clear that, I'M
der the war-making power, Congress
may appropriate money towards the con-
struction of a military road, when this is
absolutely necessary for the defence of
any State Or Territory of the Union
against foreign invasion. Under the
constitution Congress has power +" to de-
clare war, " "to raise and support armies, "
"to provide and maintain navy" and
to call forth the militia to " rcpel inva-
sions." Thus endowed, in an ample
manner, with the war-making power, the
corresponding duty is required that "the
United States shall protect each of them
the States against INVASION" Now how
is it possible to afford this protection to
California and our Pacific possessions,
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 to repcl the
invader? In the event of war with a
naval power much stronger than our own,
We should then have no other available
access to the Pacific coast, because such
a power would instantly close the route
across the isthmus of Central America
1t is impossible to conceive that, whilst
the constitution has expressly required
! Congress 10 defend all the States, it
should yet deny to them, by any fair
construction, the only possible means by
which one ofthese States can be defended.
Besides, the government, ever since its
origin, has been in the constant practice
Of constructing military roads. Itmight
also be wise to consider whether the love
for the Union which now aninates our
fellow-citizens on the Pacific coast may
not be impaired by our neglect or refusal
to provide for them, in their remote 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 to protect them
"against invasion" ] forbear for the
present from expressing an opinion as to
the wiscst and most economical mode in
which the government can lend its aid in
accomplishing this great and necessary
work ! believe that many of the diff
ficultes in the way, which now appear
formidable, will, in great degree, van
ish as soon as the nearast and best route
shall have been satisfactorily ascertaincd.
1t may be proper that, on this occa-
sion | should make some brief remarks
in regard to our rights and duties as n
member Of the great family Of nations.
In our intercourse with them there are
SEINE 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 material in
terest, but in a spirit Of Christian benev-
olence towards our fellow-men, wherever
their lot may be cast Our diplomacy
should be direct and frank, neither seek o.
ing to obtain more nor accepting less
than is our due. We .ought to cher
ish a sacred regard for the Independence
of all nations, and never attempt 10 in
terfere in the domestic concerns of any,
unless this shall be imperatively required
by the great law Of sclf-prcseryation.
To avoid entingling alliances has been
maxim Of our policy ever since the days
of Washington, aud its wisdom no ono
will attempt TO dispute In short, we
ought TO do justice, in kindly spirit 10
all nations, and require justice from them
in return.
1t is our glory that, whilst other ma
tons have extended their dominions by
the sword we have never acquired any
territory except by fair purchase, or, as
in the case of Texas, by the voluntary
determination Of brave, kindred and in
dependent people 10 blend their destinics
with our own. Even our acquisitions .
from Mexico form no exception. ln-
willing 10 take advantage Of the fortune
Of war against sister republic we pur-
chased these possessions, under the
treaty Of peace, for n sum which was
considered at the timo fair equivalent
Our past history forbids that We shall in
the future acquire territory, unless this
be sanctioned by the laws Of justice and
honor Acting on this principle, no ma
ton will have a right to interfere or to
complain il, in the progress Of events, we
shall still further extend our possessions.
Hitherto, in all our acquisitions. the