Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-03-09

INSTRUMENTATION euu6iN usStutu
to resist the slightest interference with
II ia the States where IL exists" I sub
mitted also To my fellow citizens. With
fuilness and frsnkness. the reasons
Inch led me tn this determination
The result authorizes me 20 believe
that they have been approved. and
are confdsd in. by majority Of the
people OF the United States, including
those whom they most Immediately az
feet. II now only remains to add
that no bill conflicting with these view,
can ever receive nv constitutional
.snctien. These opinions have been
adopted in the firm belief that thcv are
IN accordance Nth the spirit that actu-
sted the venerated fathers of tho re-
public. and that succeeding experience
has proved them To be humane, patrio-
TIC, expedient. honorable. and Just
II the agitation OF this subject was in
tended to reach the stability Of our in
stitutions, enough has occurred to show
that it has signally failed; and tha, in
this. rs IN every other instance. tn.
apprehennons Of the tim.d and the
hopes Of the wicked for the destruction
OF our Government, are again destined
to be disappointed. Here aud there,
indeed. scenes OF dangerous excite
ment have occurred; terrifying instsn-
ces OF local violence have been wit
messed: and reckless disregard of the
consequences of their conduct has ex-
posed individuals to popular indigna-
hon; but neither masses OF the people.
nor sections OF the country. have been
swerved from their devotion to the
bond of union. and the principles i, ha,
made sacred. IL will be ever thus
Such attempts at dangerous agitation
may periodically return. but with each
the object will be better understood
That predomin a,ing affection for our
political system which prevails through
out our territorial limits; that calm and
enlightened judgment which Ultimate
~ governs our people as one vast body:
will always be a; hand to resist and
control every effort, foreign or dornes-
tic, which aims. or would lead, To over
throw our institutions.
What can be more gratifying than
such retrospect as this' We look
back on obstacles avoided. and dangers
overcome; on expectations more than
realized. and prosperity perfectly Sc
cured. To the hopes Of the hostile,
the fears of the timid. and the doubts
OF the anxious. actual experience has
given the conclusive reply. We have
seen time gradually dispel every unfa-
Sorable foreboding, and our consiitu-
ton snrmount every adverse circum-
stance, dreaded at the outset rs beyond
control. Present excitement will. at
all times. magnify present dangers; but
true philosophy must teach u. that
none more threatening than the past
can remain to be overcome; and we
ought, for we have just reason, to en-
terrain an abiding confidence IN the sta
blli,y OF our institutions. and an entire
conviction that. if administered in the
true form, character. and spirit in which
they were established. they are abun-
dainty adequate 10 preserve to US and
our children the rich blessings already
derived from ihcm; to- make our be-
loved land, for thousand generations,
that chosen spot where happiness
springs from a perfect equality OF po-
liticai right.
For myself. therefore. desire to de-
clare, that the principle that will 60
vern me in the high duty to which my
country calls me. is, 4 strict adherence
to The letter and spirit of the consiitu-
ton, as il was designed by those who
framed it. Looking back TO il as a sa-
cred instrument carefully and not east
ly framed; remembering that il was
throughout a work Of concession and
compromise; viewing it as limited 10
national objects; regarding it as leav-
ing to the people and the States all
power not explicitly parted with. IL
shall endesvor TO preserve, protect, and
defend IT. by anxiously referring to ITS
provision for direction in every action.
To matters Of domestic concernmen nj
which IT has intrusled to the Federal
Government. and to such as relate 20
our intercourse with foreign nations,
! shall zsalously devote myself; beyond
those limits I shall never pass.
To enter, on this occasion, into a
further or moe minute exposition Of
my views on the various questions OF
domestic policy. would be as obtru-
sive As IT Is probably unexpected. Be-
fore the sufrages of my countrymen
we're conferred upon me. | submitted
TO them. with great precision. my opin
ions on all the mos. prominent Of these
subjects. Those opinions shall en-
deavor to carry out with my utmost
ability.
Our course Of foreign policy has
been so uniform and ineligible, as 10
constitute q rule Of executive conduct
which leaves little 10 my discretion.
unless. indeed, | we're willing to run
counter TO the lights Of experience.
and the known opinions Of my cou''it-
uents. We sedulously cultivate the
friendship Of all nations. a. the condI.
ton most compatible W:ih our welfare.
and the principles Of our Government
We decline alliances, ~ sdverss Go
our peace. We desire commercial
relations on equsi terms, being ever
r