Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-04-04

would result to the different States and sec
tions from its dissolution, and of the compar-
ative injuries which such an event would in
fct on other States and sections. Even de-
scendng to this low and narrow view of the
mighty question, all such calculations are at
fault. The bare reference to a single con-
sideration will be conclusive on this point
We at the present enjoy free trade through
out our extensive and expansive country, such
as the world never witnessed; this trade is
conducted on railroads and canals, on noble
rivers and arms Of the sea, which bind to-
gether the North and the South, the East
and the West of our confederacy; annihiate
this trade-arrest its progress by the geo
graphical lines of jealous and hostile States,
and you destroy the prosperity and onward
march of the whole and every part, and in
volve all in one common ruin; but snch con-
siderations important as they are in them
selves, sink into nsignifcance, when we re-
feet on the terrific evils which would result
from dlsunon, to every portion of the conied-
eracy- to the North not more than to the
South-to the East not more than to West
These L shall not attempt to portray, because
feel an humble confidence that the kind
Providence that inspired our fathers with
wisdom to frame the most perfect form Of
government and union ever devised by man,
will not suffer it to perish until it shall have
been peacefully instrumental by its example,
in the extension Of civil and religious liberty
throughout the world. Next in Importance
to the maintenance Of the Constitution and
the Union, is the duty Of preserving the gov
ernment free from the taint or even the sus-
picion of corruption.
Public virtue is the vital spirit of Repub-
lies, and history proves that when this has de-
cayed, and the love of money has usurped its
place, although the forms Of free government
may remain for season, the substance has
departed forever.
Our present financial condition is without a
parallel in history. No nation has ever be-
fore been embarrassed from too large sur
plus in its treasury. This almost necessarily
gives birth to extravagant legislation. 1t
produces wild schemes Of expenditures, and
begets a race of spectators and jobbers
whose ingenuity is exerted in contriving and
promoting expedients to obtain the public
money. The party, through its official agents,
whether rightfully or wrongfully is suspected
and the character of the movement suffers in
the estimation Of the people. This is in it.
self very great evil The natural mode Of
relief from this embarrassment is to appro-
pirate the surplus in the treasury to great ma
tional objects for which clear warrant can
be found in the Constitution. Among these
l might mention the 'extinguishment of the
Public Debt, reasonable increase of the
Navy, which is at present inadequate to the
protection of our vast tonnage afioat-now
greater than any other naton's-as well as
the defense Of our extended sea coast 1t is
beyond all question the true principle that no
more revenue ought to be collected from the
people than the amount necessary to defray
the expenses of wise, efficient and economi-
cal administration of the Government. To
reach this point, it was necessary to resort to
modification of the tariff and this has been
accomplished in such manner as to do as
little injury as may have been practicable to
our domestic manufactures, especially those
necessary for the defense of the country
Any discrimination against particular branch
for the purpose of benefitting favored corpo-
rations, individuals or interests would have
been unjust to the rest of the community. and
inconsistent with that spirit of fairness and
equality which ought to govern in the adjust
ment of revenue law. But the squanGering
of the phblic money sinks into comparative
insignifcance as a temptation to corruption,
when compared to the squandering 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 puplic lands. In admins
tering this important trust, while it may be
wise to grant portions of them for the i'm
proyement of the remainder yet we should
never forget that it is our 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 new States, by furnishing
them a hardy and Independent race of honest
and Industrious citizens, but shall secure homes
for our children and our children's children,
as well as for those exiles from foreign shores
who may seek in this country to improve their
conditions and to enjoy the blessings of civil
and religious liberty Such emigrants have
done much to promote the growth aud pros
perity of the country. They have proved
faithful, both in peace and war After be-
coming citizens they are entitled under the
Constitution and laws, to be placed in per-
feet equality with natiye-born citizens. and in
this character they should ever be kindly re-
cognized' The Federal Constitution is a
grant from the States to Congress of certain
specific Powers, and the question whether
this grant shall be literally or strictly con-
strued has more or less divided political par
ties from the beginning
Without entering into the argument, | de-
sire to state at the beginning of my admins
tration, that long experience and observation,