Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-06

lew causes OF controversy. anu tn0Se OF minor
importance. remaining unadjusted
In the domestic policy Of this Government.
there are two objects which especially deserve
the attention Of the people and their Representa-
tivcs. and which have been, and will continue to
They are the preservation of the rights Of the
veral States, and the integrity OF the Union.
These great objects are necessarily come cted.
and can only be attained by an enlightened exer-
else Of the powers of each within its appropriate
sphere in conformity with the public will consti.
tutionaIy expressed. To this end, it becomes
the duty of all to yield ready and patriotic sub.
mission to the laws consti,utlonaliy enacted, and
thereby promote aud strengthen proper conf
dence in those institutions of the several States
aud OF the United States which the people them.
selves have ordained for their own government
My experience in public concerns, and the Oh.
servation of lite some what advanced, confirm
the opinions long since imbibed by me, that the
Fdestruction OF our State governments or the an
Inhalation OF their control over the local concerns
Of the people, would lead directly to revolution
and anarchy. and finally to dcspotism and mill.
tary domination. In proportion, therefore. as the
general government encroaches upon the rights
Of the States, in the same proportion does it i'm.
pair its own power and deract from its ability to
fulfil the pu pnses of it, creation. SOlemnly i'm.
pressed with these considerations, my country.
men will ever find me ready to exercise my con.
stitutional powers in arrestng measures which
may directly or indirectly encroach upon the
rights of the States, or tend to consolidate all
political power in the General Government. But
at equal and indeed OF incalcuable Importance
is the union of these States, and the sacred du-
ty of all to contribute to its preservation by
liberal support OF the General Government IN the
exercise of MS just powers.
You have been wisely admOnished to "accns-
tom yourselves to think and speak of the Union
as of the palladium Of your political safety aud
prosperity, watching for It's preservation with
jealoNs anxiety, Notwithstanding whatever may
suggest even a suspicion that it can IN any event
be abandoned.and Indignantly frownIng upon the
first dawning of any altemptto ALLEVIATE any Por-
ton Of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble
the sacred ties winch link together the va.
rous parts" Without union our independence
and liberty would never have been achieved
without union they can never can be maintained.
Divided into twenty four, or even a smaller
number of separate communities, We shall see
our internal trade burdened with numberIess re.
straints aud exactIons; communication between
distant points and sections obstructed, or cut of;
our son, made soldiers to deiuse with blood the
fields they now TIL in peace; the mass Of our peo-
! pie borne down and Impoverished by taxes TO
support armies and naves; and military leaders,
al the head Of their victorious leglOns, becoming
our law givers and judges. The loss ct liberty,
of all good government. of peace, plenty and h ap
piness, must inevitably follow dissolution Of the
Union. L. supporting it therefore, we support
all that Is dear To the freeman and the philanthro
plst.
The time at which stand before you is full Of
interest. The ewes Of all nations are liked on
our republic The event of the existing crisis
will be decisive in the opinion OF mankind Of the
prac tcabilliy OF our federal system Of govern.
ment. Great is the stake placed III our hands:
Q eat Is the responsibility which must rest upon
the eope Of the United States Let US realize
the Importance of the attitude IN which we stand
before the world. Let US exercise forbeara nce
and 6rmness. Let US extri:ate our country from
the dangers which surround it, and learn wisdom
! from the lessons they inculcate.
Deeply impressed with the truth of these OBJ.
servations, aud under the obligation Of that So
Tenn oath which am about to take, shall con.
tlnue to exert all my faculties tn maintain the
Just powers of the Constitution, and to transmit,
un impaired, to posterity the blessings OF our Fe-
dera Union. At the same time, it will be my
ain 10 lncutCAte, Nv my oHiCidi de's TIC hcSeSs'
ty of exercising, by the General Government,
those powers only that are clearly delegated; to
encourage simplicity aid economy in the expen-
ditures Of the Government; to raise no more mo.
new from the people than may be requisite for
these objects, and in manner that will best pro.
! mote the interests Of all classes Of the COM
munity. and of all portions of the Union
Constantly bearing IN mind that. in entering in.
| IN societv - individuals must give I'm share Of
liberty to preserve the rest" it will be my de-
sire SO to discharge my duties as TO foster, with
our brethren IN aIparts Of the country, spirit
of liberal concession and compromise, and. BY
reconciug our fellow citizens to those partial
sacrifices which they must unavoidablv make for
the preservation Of greater good, to recommend
our invaluable Government and Union to the
confidence and affections Of the American peo.
| Pile.
Finally, tits my most feryent prayer, to that
Almighty Being before whom l no" stand, and
who has kept US in his hands from the infancy OF
our Republic to the present day. that he will SO
nv erule all nv intentions and actions, and In.