Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-03-27

powers IN arresting measures which may d.
rectly or indirectly encroach upon the rights of
the States, or tend 10 consolidate all political
power in the General Government
But of equal, and indeed of incalculable|
Importance is the union of these States, and
the sacred duty of all to contribute to its pre-
servation by liberal support of the General
Government in the exercise of its Just powers.
You have been wisely admonished to "accus
tom yourselves to think and speak of the Union
as of the palladium of your political safety and
prosperity, watching for its preservation with
Jealous anxiety, discountenancing whatever
may suggest even suspicion that it can in
any event be abandoned, and Indignantly frown-
ing upon the first dawning of any attempt to
ALLEVIATE any portion of our country from the
rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now
link together the various parts.o Without union
our independence and liberty would never have
been achieved-without union they can never
be maintained. Divided into twenty-four, or
even a smaller number of separate commune
ties, we shall see our internal trade burdened
with numberless restraints and exactions; com
muncation between distant points and sections
Iobstructed, cut off; our sons made soldiers
to deluge with blood the fields they now till in
peace; the mass of our people borne down and
Impoverished by taxes to support armies and
navies; and military leaders at the head of their
victorious legions becoming our law-givers and
Judges. The loss of liberty, of all good govern
ment, of peace, plenty and happiness, must
inevitably follow a dissolution of the Union
In supporting it, therefore, we support all that
is dear TO freemen and the philanthropist.
The time at which stand before you is full
of interest. The eyes of all nations are fixed
on our republic. The event of the existing
crisis will be decisive in the opinion of man.
kind of the practicabilty Of our federal system
of government Great is the stake placed in
our hands: great is the responsibility which
must rest upon the people of the United States.
Let us realize the Importance of the attitude in
which we stand before the world. Let us exer-
else forbcarance and firmness. Let us extri-
cate our country from the dangers which SUR
round it, and learn wisdom from the lessons
they inculcate.
| Deeply impressed with the truth of these
observations, and under the obligation of that
solemn oath which am about to take. l shall
continue to exert all my faculties to maintain
the just powers of the Constitution, and to
transmit unimpaired to posterity the blessings
Of our federal Union. At the same time, it
WI w NY aim W ihCuiCdle ny my Olllcldl acts,
the necessity of exercising, by the General
Government, those powers only that are clearly
delegated; to encourage simplicity and econo
my in the expenditures of the Government; to
raise no more money from the people than may
be requisite for these objects, and in manner
that will best promote the interests of all classes
OF the community, and of all portions of the
Union. Constantly bearing in mind that, in
entering into society HindviduaIs must give up
a share OF liberty to preserve the rest" it will
be my desire so to discharge my duties as to
foster, with our brethren in all parts of the coun
try, spirit of liberal concession and compro~
mise; and, by reconcilng our fellow citizens
to those partial sacrifices which they must I'M
avoidably make. for the preservation of a great
er good, to recommend our invaluable Govern
ment and Union to the confidence and affec-
tons of the American people.
Finally, it is my most fervent PRAYER, to that
Almighty Being before whom now stand, and
who has kept us in his hands from the infancy of
our Republic to the present day, that he will
so override all my intentions and actions, and
inspire the hearts of my fellow citizens, that
we may be preserved from dangers of all kinds,
and continue forever UNITED AND HAP.
Ply PEOPLE.