The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-18

numerous subjects to which have felt constrain-
ed TO advert, there those, which may generally
be regarded with little interest, the notice of them,
in this place, will be pardoned, in the consdera-
ton, tina: there is no department, through which
measures within the scope OF Executive action, and
proper for the information of the Legislature can
otherwise be communicated. However uninviting
such topics appear, they nevertheless become i'm
portant from their relation to the necessary BUSH
ness ofthe Government, and the incumbent duties
of its responsible and account able officers.
Itremains only to the duty of this occasion, that
lay before you Resolutions of the Legislatures of
the States of Maine, New Hampshire, and Con-
necticut, respectively which have been transmitted
to me- with requests to that purpose during the va
cation. The Resolutions of Maine relate to the Ia
riff and Internal Improvements, and express de-
NAL Of the constitutional power Of Congress to exc
cute system of internal improvement and dsap-
probation Of raising arevenue by taxes and imposts
bcyond the ordinary and necessary expenses of the
Government Those of New Hampshire contain
instructions to the Delegates in Congress from
that State, to use their cxertions to procure the
passage of law for the moro perfect organization
Of the Militia of the several States And those Of
Connecticut are in afhrmance Of the supremacy of
the Constitution of the United States, and the
Laws and Treaties made in pursuance thereof
over State authority, and maintain the irdepend-
ence of the Judicial Department of the General
Government, and the Importance of preserving its
influence, to the permanent interests of the coun-
try.
In such communications aside from the subjects
to which they refer, there is apt and striking
illustration of the peculiar character of the Gov
eminent under which we live. They are in them
selves practical recognition of the federatve
principle by which the States united. They
IMPLY the mutual connection of these States with
each other, and their common relation 10 one con-
sttuted head. There is int them, neither the man.
Hesitation Of the existence of a separate power,
nor the dictate of joint conmana, to contrsl the
operations of the confederatcd Government. In
their original adoption, they severaly purport TO
De the opinions Of single State, proposed to the
consideration of other States, to induce to their
cooperation, and the united influence of all, upon
the concentrated Councils of the Nation. Thus
regarded they are indeed, beautiful exhibition OF
that harmony of design in which the Union was
established. How much more consonant with the
genius Of our political institutions are these c.
pressions Of sentiment, addressed TO the reason
and wisdom, anu patriotism of the people, than the
loud notes of denunciatou and defiance which
have elsewhere been sounded to overawc and con-
troll the constitutional functions of an Independent,
| department of the Government. The recent meas
| ures which have been proposed, in some OF oul
| Sister States, can be viewed only with alarm fol
| the very existence of the Republic. Whatever
may be the purity OF motive. or the integrity o
| principle in which they are conceived, their inev
liable tendency is TO division and separation The
extraordinary doctrine, that it is within the re
served rights of the States to decide, each for it.
SELF, the obligation Of submission to the laws O
the Union, goes directly to the subversion of thai
4 Union. If obedience is put at the pleasure Of
those from whom it is required local interests ano
political excitements will not fail to find occasions
on which it will oe refused. The laws which are
intended for the government of the whole people,
will be made to bear with unequal operation up
| on q part. The citizens of one section Of the
I country, absolved from their allegiance by State
authority will be arrlyed against those oil another
section, who still held to its responsibilities
| In the controversy which will ensue, either, an
enforcement of the power ofthe General Govern
ment must become usurpation and tyranny, or re-
| eis,anee to it will be rebellion and treason. 1t
were well that this matter was more thoroughly
| and generally considered. 1t should be brought
home 10 the understanding and personal judgme Mt
| of every citizen If under the Constitution there
| is no common umpire between the Governmen Mt
and the People, between the reserved rights of the
States and the delegated authority of the Nation
then has the Union no strength, Liberty no safe
guard, National Independence no security or per-
manency. The majority of each State Legisla-
ture holds at its will the continuance of the com
pact Of Confederation, and policy alone will deter
mine both the measure and duration OF its obga
tons. Happily, the trainers of the Cons tutor
foresaw, and wisely provided against this danger
They placed the Edifce of political Freedom upon
| more stable foundation than an ever luctuatinp
| popular opinion. On the broad principles of mu.
| tual interest and common protection they reared
|
lshed fundamental rules for the administration OF
the Government, and created an Indepe ndent Tri-
| buna, in the Judicial Department, to watch over
and enforce their observance. While the Consti-
tuition remains unimpaired, and the Institutions
which it has appointed are maintained in their pl-
rity and vigor, this Nation will continue to ad-
vance in strength and glory the States will be
protected in the relations which just and volun.
tary compromise established; and the People, free
prosperous and happy, will enjoy that Pre-eminence
- IL
their Country land of Liberty refuge and
resting place for the prosecuted and oppressed OF
the whole earth. LEVI LINCOLN.
Council Chamber, Boston, Jan. 9, 1882.
On motion. of Mr.. Hastings, the documents
accompanying the Message were committed to
Messrs. Hastings, A. II. Everett, and J. T.
Austin, 10 report what portion ought 10 be
printed.
Mr. Hastings subsequently reported that the
following documents shoHld be printed for The
nse Of the Legislature. The Report of the
Commissioners upon the Lunatic Hospital; an
extract from the WIN of the late Nathaniel
Maccarly, Esq; Report of the Land Agent !;
papers relating to The Massachusetts Claim !;
papers relating TO tie State Prison; and the
Report of James Stevens, Esq, dated May +.
1881, relating to the survey of the State. The
report was accepted.
Standing Committees, which were severaIIy
confirmed by the Board, viz
On the JudciaIy-Saltonslall Hoar, Hast.
ings.
On Probate and Chancery-J. T. Austin,
Merrill Loud
On Observation-Disclosures Cross, C1rtis.
On observation-disclosures johnson, Daggett
On Bills in the % Reading-Merrill, Lincoln,
Hastings, Cross, chardson, Doane.
On Engrossed Bis-Dro wnell, French, Cur
tbs, Halves, Putnam, Smith
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES.
On Accounts-Iioyt, Bradbury.
On Roads and Winship, Cummings.
On Roads and Caaais-Lincoln, o. Everett.
On Towns-Wider, French
On CIams-Wels, Foote.
On The Militia-Brown, Austin.
On Parshes-Endicott, Bullock.
On Fisberies-Doane, Ellis.
On Banks and Banking-Burnell, Wyles
On Mercantile Affairs and Insurance-Pick-
man, Weston
On Public Lands-A. II. Everett, Clark
On MISUNDERSTANDING Brownen.
On the Library--A. II. Everett, Saltonstall,
J. T. Austin,-whch were severally sent down
to be joined.
HOUSE. The following select and joint
Standing Committees were appointed:
Or hitney Of Desr6eld, Ellis
Of Boston, Savary Of Bradford.
On Public Lands, Roads, and Bridges-E.
Wood Of Grafton, Breed of Lynn, Ellis of Ded
ham.
On Railways and Canals-Hayward of Cam
bridge, Phelps Of Hadley, Moody Of Boston.
On Banks and Banking-Sturgis Of Boston,
4. NJ. l.. I'll