Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-03-16
II ar c we'll A ii dress
OF
ANDREW JACKSON.
TO HEpEoPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

ANDREW JACKSON,
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES
Fellow Citizens:
Being about 10 retire finally from public
lille, beg leave TO offer you my graieiu
thanks for the many proofs of kindness ant
confidence which | have received at your
hands. Ii has been my fortune, in The dis
charge Of public duties, civil and military
frequently to have found myself in Difficult
and trying situations, where prompt decision
anu energetic action were necessary, and
where the interest Of the ceuntiy required
that high responsibilities should be fearless.
ly encountered: and il is with the deepest e.
motions of gratitude that I acknowledge the
Continued and unbroken confidence with
winch you have sustained me in every trial.
My public life has been a long one, and
cannot hope that it has, at all times, been
free from errors. But have the consola-
ton OF knowing that, if mistakes have been
committed, they have not seriously injured
The country 1 so anXiously endeavored to
serve; and, at the moment when surrender
my last public trust, | leave this great peo-
PIE prosperous and happy; in the full enjoy
meht OF liberty and peace; and honored and
respected by every nation OF the world.
III my humble efforts ha, q, in any degree,
contributed 10 preserve TO you these bless
sings, have been more than rewarded by
the honors you have heaped upon me- and,
above all, by the generous confidence with
which you have supported me in every peril,
ana with which you have continued TO ami
mate and cheer my path to the closing hour
oil my political life. The time has now
come, when advanced age and broken
frame warn me TO retire from public con-
fha 81 IL r
vors you have bestowed upon Inc is engrav-
en- upon my heart, and | have felt that
could not part from your service without
making this public acknowledgment of the
gratitude owe you. And If use the &C.
casion TO offer TO you the councils of age and
experience, you will | trust, receive them
with The same indulgent indnes. hich YOU
have SO often extended to me and will. AT
least, see in them an earnest desire TO perpet,
uate, in this favored land, the blessings Of
liberty ard equal laws.
We have now lived almost fifty years I'm.
der the constitution framed by the sages and
patriots OF the Revolution. The conflicts in
winch the nations of Europe were engaged
during great part Of this period; the spirit
IN which they waged war against each other;
ana our intimate commercial connexions
Win every part OF the civilized world, rem
~ - - s'hhS VI IlluCf uIluCuIty IOr Inc
government Of the United States. We
have hnd our seasons OF peace and of war
with all the evils which precede or follow
Stale OF hostility with pow eriul nations. We
encountered these trials with our constitution
yet IN lis infancy, and under the disadvanta.
ees which new and untried Government
must always feel when i, is called upon 10 put
iorth lis whole strength, without the lights of
experience 10 guide il, or the weight of pre-
cedents TO justify its measures. But we have
passed trIumphanily through all llese diff
cu!tles. Our constitution is no longer a
doubtful experiment and, at the end of
nearly half century, we find that il has pre-
served unimraired the liberties OF the peo-
pie, secured the rights OF property, and that
our country has improved and is tourists
ing beyond any former example in the hisory
OF nations.
in our domestic concerns there is every
thing to encourage US and if you are true TO
yourselves, nothing can impede your march
10 the highest point of national prosperity
The States which had SO long been retarded
in their improvement, by the Indian tribes
residing in the midst Of them, are at length
relieved from the evil and this unhappy race
the original jewellers in our land-are now
placed in a situation where " e may well hope
that they will share in the blessings of civil
IZa;ion, and be saved from that degradation
and destruction in which they were rapidly
Fastening while they remained in the States;
and while the safety and comfort of our ow n
citizens have been greatly promoted by their
removal, The pbilanihropist will rejsIce that
the remnant Ut that ill.fated race has been
at length placed beyond the reach OF injury
or oppression, and that the paterna care of
the Genl. Government will hereafter watch
over and protect them.
LII we turn TO our relations with foreign
powers, we find our condition equally graft
Tying. Aciuated by the sincere desire 10 do
justice 10 every nation, and TO preserve the
blessings OF peace, our intercourse with them
has been conducted on the part of this Gov
eminent in the spirit OF frank ness, and take
pleasure in saying, that it has generally been
met in corresponding temper. Difficulties
OF old standing have been surmounted by
friendly discussion, and The mutual desire TO
be just and the claims OF our citizens, which
had been long withheld, have at length been
| acknowledged and adjusted, and satisfactory
arrangements made Tor their final payment
and with u limited, and, trust, temporary
| exception, our relations with every foreign
| power are now OF the most friendly charac-
| ter-our commerce continually expanding,
and our flag respected in every quarter Of
! the world.
These cheering and grateful prospects, and
these multiplied fayors, we owe, under Pro-
whence, 10 the adoption Of the Federal con-
stitulioD. IL is no longer question whether
this great country can remain happily unit
ed, and flourish under our present form o
government. Experience, the unerripg les
! of all human undertak inps has shown the