The Arkansas advocate., 1837-04-10
RnEszDE2yT JACRSoM's EsAEgE2 gVsEGEE eAEDK2RENg, TO THE PEOPLE OF THn U. STATES.
FELLow-C1TIzENs:

Being about to retire finally from public life ! eeg leave to offer you my grateful thanks for the many proofs of Kindness and confidence which have received at your hands, It has been my fortune in the dscharoe ot public dutes civil and military, frequently to ha ye found myself in difficult and trying situations where prompt decision and energetic action were necessar and where the interest o the country required that hio responsibilities should be fearessy encounered and if IS with the deepest emotions of gratitude that acknow- ledge the continued and unbroken confidence with which you have sustained in every trial. AEy public Hfe has been long one and cannot hope that it has at all times, been free from But have the consolation of Knowing that fmIstaes have been committed fhev nave not seriously injured the country anxiousy en- deaVofed to serve; and at the moment when surrep- der my last public trust leave this great people ros porous and happy ln the full enjoyment of liberty and pence and honored and respected by every nation of the world.
 lfmy humble efforts have, in any degree. contributed to preserve you these blessings, have been more than rewarded by the honors you have haaped upon nc and above all, by the generous confidence with which you nave supported me Ill every peril, and with which you have continued to animate and cheer my path to the closing hour of my political fife. The time has now come, when advanced age and broken frame warn me to retire from public concerns but the recollection o the many avof you have bestowed upon me is eneraven upen my heart, and have felt that could not aT from your service without making this public acknowleaRa- ment of the gratitude you. And if use the oeea- sion to oer to you the caHsels of and experience you will, trust, receive them with the same nduren kindness which you have often extended to me and wl at leaat in them earnest desire to Rerpet3- ate, in this favored and the blessings of liberty and 1 equal laWs
 We have now lived almost fifty years under the con- stituton framed by the sges and patriots of the Revo- luton. The conflicts in which the nations of Europe Wefo engaged during great part Of this pefod the spi Tit in which they waged against each other and our intimate commercial connexions with every part of the civilized world rendered 1t time of much difficulty fer the Government of the United Sates N have had our seasons Of peace and ofwar with all the evils which pre- eede follow state of hostility with powerful nations
 We encountered these trials with constitution yet in it's infancy, and under the disadvantages which new and untried Government always feel when it s call cd upon put foft is whole strength without the ofs of experience to guide it. the weight of preeedents to ustity It's measures. But we have passed ruaphanty through all those difficulties Cur constitution is no longer doubtful experiment; and, at the end of nearly halt century, find that has preserved unimpaired the liberties of the people, secured the lights of property and that country has improved and is ourishing yond any former example in the history of nations
 In our domestic concerns there is every thing to en- courage us and ifyeu to yoses es nothing can impede your march the highest point of national nros pery The States which had long been retarded in their improvements by the Indian tribes residing in the midst ofthem, at length relieved from the evil and this unhappy race-the original dwellers in OUT land now placed in situation where may we'll hope that they will share in the blessings of civilization and be saved from that degradation and destruction which they rapidly hagtening while they remained in the States and while the safety and comfort of our own cit zens have been greatly promoted by their removal the phanthroplst will rejoice that the remnant of that ill.,
 ed has been atlength placed beyond the reach of injury oppression and that the paterna of the General Government will hsaftsf watch them and protect them
 If we turn to our relations with foreign powers we find condition equally gratifying. Aetuated by the sincere desire to do justice to every naton and to pre- the blessings Of peace intercourse with them has been conducted the part of this government in the spirit of ankness and take pleasure in saying that has generally been met in corresponding temper. Diff
 culties of old standing have been suroHnted by rend iy discussion, and the mutual desire to be just and the | al have length been acknowledged and adjusted and sat- isfaetory arrangements made for their final payment j; and with limited. and, trust, temporary exceptions our relations With every foreign power of the most friendly eharacter-oar commerce continually ex- pandng and our flag respected i'll every quarter of the world.
 These cheering and grateful prospects, and these null tplied favora owe under Providence the adoption of the federal constitution. It is no longer question whether this greRt country remain happily united, and flourish under present form of goYernmeat- Experience the unerrng test of all human undertakings has shown the wisdom and foresight of those who formed it. and has proved that in the union ohese States there IS sure foundation for the brightest hopes of freedom, and for the happiness of the people. At every hazard and by every sacrifice, this Union must he preserved
 The necessity of watching with jealous anxiety for the preservation of the Union earnestly pressed upon his ellowctzens by the Father of his country, in his farewell address. He has there told us that ( while experience shall demonstrate it's impractcablity, there will always be dstrust the patriotism of those who any quarter, may endeavor to weaken it's bonds; and he has cautlofad @ m the strongest terms against the formation CT pafte geographical dscrm- nations of the means which might disturb our union, and to which designing men would be likely to resort.
 The lessons contained in this invaluable legacy oi Washington to his eountrymen should be cherished in the heart of every citizen to the latest generation period of time coald they be more uselly re- membered than at the present moment. For when we look upon the that passing around us. and dwell upon the pages of his parting address, his pater nal counsels would seem be not merely the offspring of wisdom and foresight but the voice ef prophecy fore telling evens and warning of the evil to come DOT ty years have passed since this imperishabe docEment given to his countrymen. The federal constitution