Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-03-15

me in the various and coordinate branches
OF the government did mot repose, with
unwavering reliance, on the patriotism,
the intelligence, and the kindness. OF
people who never vet deserted public
servant honestly Iaboling in their cause
and, above all. did | not permit myself
hunblyto hope for the sustaining support
OF an ever watchful and beneicient Provi
dence.
To the confidence and consolation de-
rived from these sources, it would be un-
grateful not to add those which spring
from our present fortunate condition.
Though not altogether exempt from en-
barrassments that disturb our tranquility
at home and threaten it abroad, yet, in
all the attributes of great, happy, and
tiourishing people, we stand without
parallel in the world. Abroad, we en-
joy the respect, and with scarcely an ex-
cePtion, the friendship of every nation at
home. while our government quietly, but
efficient Y, performs the sole legitimate
end OF political institutions, in doing the
greatest good to the greatest number, we
present an aggregate Of human prosperi-
ty sureI v not elsewhere to BIZ found.
How imperious then is the obligation
imposed upon every citizen. in his own
sphere Of action, whether limited or ex-
tended. 10 exert himself in perpetuating a
condition Of things so singuarly happy.
All the lessons of history and experience
must be lost upon US if we are content to
trust alone to the peculiar advantages we
happen to possess. Position and climate,
and the bounteous resources that nature
has scattered with so liberal hand-even
the difused intelligence and elevated
character Of our people-will avail us
nothing. if we fail sacredly to uphold those
political institutions that were wisely and
deliberately formed, with reference to
every circumstance that could preserve or
might endanger the blessings we enjoy
| The thoughtful trainers of our consttu-
ton leglsated for our country as they
found it. Looking upon it with the eyes
Of statesmen and Of patriots, they saw all
the sources of rapid and wonderful pros
perity but they saw also that various
habits, opinions and institutions peculiar
TO the various portions ofso vast a region,
were deeply fixed. Distinct sovereign
ties were in actual existence, whose cordi-
al union was essential to the welfare and
happiness Of all. Between many ofthen
| there was at least to some extent, real
diversity Of interests liable to he exagger-
ated through sinister designs; they diff.
fered in size, in population, in wealth and
in actual and prospective resources and
power; they varied in the character OF
their industry and staple productions and
in some existed domestic institutions, whic h
unwiseIy distributed, might endanger the
harmony of the whole. Most carefully
were all these circumstances weighed, and
the foundations of the new government
laid upon princi pies Of reel procal con
cession and equitable compromise. The
Iealousies which the smallest states might
entertain Of the power OF the rest were al
Iayed by rule of representation, con-
fessedIy unequal to the time, and designed
forever TO remain so. A natural fear that
the broad scope of general Legislation
might bear upon and wise y control par
tIcuar interests was cOunteracted by
limits strictly drawn around the action OF
the federal authority; and 10 the people
and the states was lett unimpaired their
sovereign power over the innumerable
subjects embraced in The internal govern
ment of just republic, excepting such
onI y as necessarily appertain to the con-
Germs of the whole conftderacy, or its in
terCourse, as a united community, with
the other nations Of the world
This provident forecast has been veri-
fed by time. Half a Century, teeninn
with extraordinary events, and elsewhere
producing astonishing results, has passed
along; but on our institutions it has left
no injurious mark. From a small com.
munhy, we nave risen to a people power.
ful in numbers and in strength but with
our increase has gone hand in hand the
progress Of just principles; the privileges
civil and religious, of the humblesl indi
vidual are still sAcred!y protected at home
. and while the va or and foritude of oul
= people have removed far from us the
! slightest apprehension Of foreign power
f they have not yet induced US, in single
: instance, to forget what is right. Oul
. commerce has been extended to renotes
e nations: the value, and even nature o
our productions have been greatly chang
J, ed wide difference has arisen in the
D relative wealth and resources of every
e portion Of our country; vet the spirit o
!, mutual regard and of faithful adherence t
l. existing compacts, has continued to pre-
r vail in our county, and never long beer
e.; absent from our conduct We have learn
o ed by experience fruitful lesson tina
d an implicit and undertaking adherence t'
t. the principles on which we Set out, Cal
= carry US prosperously onward throug
r all the conflicts of circumstances, and tn
J. vicissitudes inseparabIe from the lapse Q
r years.