Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-04-05
FAREWELL ADDRESS,
A NDREW JACKSON,

TO THE PEOPLE OF TIE UNITED STATES.
FeIlou Citizens.--Bcing about TO retire finally
from public life beg leave to offer you my CRATE
full thanks for the many proofs of kindness and
confidence which have received at your hands.
Ii has been my fortune, in tho discharge of pub
lie duties, civil and military, frequently to have
found myself in difficult and trying situations,
where prompt decision and energetic action were
necessary, and whore the interest of the country
required That high responsibilities should be fear
lessly encountered: and IL is with tho deepest emo
tions of gratitude that acknowledge the continu.
ed and unbrokcn confidence with which you have
sustained me in every trial. My public life has
been long one, and cannot hope that it has, at
all times, been free from errors. But have the
consolation of knowing that if mistakes havo
becn committed, they have not seriously injured
the country so anxiously endcavored to serve;
and, at the moment when l surrender my last
public trust, loavo this great people prosperous
and happy; in the full enjoyment of liberty and
peace; and honored and respected by every ma
ton of the world.
If my humble efforts have, in any degree con-
trbutcd TO preserve to you these blessings 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 and with which you have continued
to animate and cheer my path TO the closing hour
Of my political life. The time has now come,
when advanced age and broken frame warn me
| to retire from public concerns; but the recollec-
| ton of the many fivors you have bestowed upon
me is cngraven upon my heart, and L have felt
that could not part from your services without
making this acknowledgment of the gratitudoI
owe you. And if l use the occasion to offer to
you the counsels of age and experience, you will,
| trust, receive them with the same indulgent
! kindness which you have often extended to ne,
and will, at least, see in them earnest des;---
4 to ;st 1roI UlcSSl1R6
/ lihnrty .--i 800, law.
We have now lived about fifty years und the
constitution framed by the sages and patriots of
the Revolution. The conflicts in which the ma
tons of Europe were engaged during great part
| of this period the spirit in which they waged
war against each other; and our intimate corr
nsrcial connexions with every part of the civiliz-
| oil world rendered il time of much difficulty
for the Government of the United States. We
have had our seasons Of peace and of war, with
all the evils which precode or follow a state of
hostility with powerful nations. We cncoupter-
cd these trials with constitution yet in its in
fancy, and undor the disadvantages which new
and untried Government must always feel when
it is called upon to put forth its whole strength,
without the lights of experience to guide it, or the
weight Of preco dents to justify its measures. But
We have passed triumphantly through all these
difficulties. Our constitution is no longer a
doubted experiment; and, at the end Of nearly
| CcuIuiyy VIC luu Iiat ~ has piOecfNtd
impaired the liberties of the people, secured the
rights of property, and that our country has inn
proved and is furnishing beyond any former ex-
ample in the history of nature.
In our domestic concerns there is every thing
to encourage us; and if you are true TO your
selves, nothing can impede your march to the
| highest ONT of national prosperity. The states
which had so long been retarded in their improve
mcnt 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 situation where we m y
well hope that they will share in the blessings OF
civilization, aud be saved from that degradation
and destruction to which they were rapidly has
tening while they rcrained in the States and
while the safety and comfort of our own citizens
have been greatly promoted by their removal, the
philanthropist will reioico that the remnant of
that Inflated race has been at length placed be-
yond the reach of injury or oppression, and that
the paternal care Of the General Government
will hereafter watch over them aud protect them.
five turn to our relations with foreign powers.
we find our condition equally gratifying. Actu-
ated by the sincere desire to do justice to every
nation, and to preserve the blessings of peace,
our intercourse with them has been conducted ON
tn, part of this Government in the spirit of frank
ness, and l take pleasure in saying that it has
generally been met in corresponding temper.
, Difficulties Of old standing have been surmount-
ed 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 ac-
knowledged aad adjusted,& satisfactory arrange.
mcnts made for their final payment; and with
limited, and trust, a temporary exception, our
relations with every foreign power arc now of the
most friendly chiracter-our commerce contlnu-
ally expanding, and our flag respected in every
quarter of the world.
These cheering and grateful prospects, and
these multiplied fivors,we ow,, under Providence,
to tho adoption of the Federal constitution
It is no longer question whether this great cour
: try remain happily united, and flourish un
. der our present form of government. Experience
the unerring test of all human undertakings
! has shown the wisdom aud foresight of those whe
, formed it; and has proved, that in the union OF
F.! these States there is a 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 be preserved.
A The necessity of watching with jealous ankle
ty for the preservation of the Union, was earnest
ly pressed upon his fellow citizens by the Fathel
'r of his country, in his farewell address. He hal
\. there told us, that "whe experience shall no
have demonstrated its impracticability there will
always be reason TO distrust the patriotism of thos
Z who. in any quarter. my endeavor to weaken il
bonds; and he his cautioned US, in the stronges
: terms, against the formation of parties, on geo
{. graphical determinations, as one of the mean
n | uiSturD our UNION, anu I'd Wnich oc
!, signing men would be likely to resort.
The lessons confined in this invaluable legac,
=. of Washington to his countrymen should b
III cherished in tn, heart of every citizen, to tn
ID latest gen. ltion and, perhaps, at no period
m time could they be more usefully remembered tina
al the present moment. For when we look upo
u tho scenes that passing around us, and DIVE
" upon the pages of his parting address, his pateI
10 nal counses would seem to be not merely the of
Jy spring of wisdom and foresight, but the voice
prophecy, forctelling events and warning us 0
:, the evil to come. Forty years have passed sine
>, this imperishable document was given TO hi
countrymen. Tn, Federal constitution was tn
10 regarded by him as an experiment and ne g
D. speaks Of it in his address but an experiment
70 upon winch the best hopes of his country depend
y cd, and we all know tn It he was prepared to la
~ down his life, if necessary, to secure 10 m
w and fair trial. The trial has been made. 1t ha
IN succeeded beyond the proudest hopes Of thos
-, who framed il. Every quarter Of this widely g,
tended nation has felt its blessings, and shared
H. tho general prosperity produced by its adoption
OF But amid this general prosperity and splendi
ir success, tn, dangers Of which he warned us al
in becoming every day more evident, and the sigr
= of evil are sufficiently apparent to awaken II
deepest anxiety in thu bosom of the patriot. w
behold syst matte efforts publicly made to so
tbs seeds of discord between different parts of I'll
VI United States. and 10 place party divisions direc
!, y upon geographical distinctions to excite ~
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