Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-12-14

eOuBIuutose vhtAOn tue lhVOfaOle Cff-
cumstances in the condition Of our country
Under which You reassemble for the perfor-
nance of your official duties Though the
anticipations Of an abundant harvest have
not every where been realized, yet on
the whole, the abors OF the husbandman are
rewarded with a bouutifu harvest industry
prospers IN its vnriou. channels OF business
and enterprise; general health again pre-
walls through our vast diversity Of climate !;
nothing threatens, from abroad, the continu-
ance OF extended peace nor has any thing
at home impaired the strength of those fra
ternal and domestic ties which constitute the
only guaranty TO the success and permanent
oy OF onr happy Union aud which, formed
IN the hour Of peril have hitherto been hon.
orably sustained through every vicissiude in
eur national affairs The blessings which
evInce the care and benefcence Of Provi-
denee, call for our devout and fervent graft
tude.
we have not less reason 10 be grateful
Tor other bouniies bestowed by the some mum
iiicent hand, and more exclusively our own
The present year closes the first half cen
ury ofour federal institutions; and our sys-
tem-diffcring from all others in the ac-
knowledged, practical, and unlimited opera
ton which II has for so long period given
10 the sovereignty Of the people-has now
been fully tested by experience.
The constitution devised by our forefath-
ers as the framework and bond of that sys-
tenn. then untried, has become a settled form
ofgovernmeni not only preserving and pro.
tecting the great principles upon which i,
was founded, but wonderfully promoting in
dividual happiness and private interests
Though subject to change and entire revoca-
lion, whenever deemed inadequate 10 all
those purposes, yet such is the wisdom OF its
construction, and so stable has been the pub.
iic sentiment, that il -emains unaltered ex.
cept in matters Of detail, comparatively un-
important 1t has proved amply sufficient
Tor the various emergencies incident TO our
condition as nation. A formidable for.
eign-war agilating collisions between do
nestle and, in some respects, rival sover.
eighties; temptations 10 interfere in the mites.
tine connections of neighboring countries !;
the dangerous influences that arise in peri.
DDS OF excessive prosperity and the ant-re.
publican tendencies OF associated wealth
these, with other trials not less formidable.
have all been encountered, and thus far sue
cessfully resisted.
1t was reserved for the American Union
TO test the advantages Of a government en-
tirey dependant on the continual exercise OF
the popular will, and our experience has
shown that is as bene6cent in practice as
it is just in theory. Each successive change
made in our local institutions has contributed
TO extend the right Of suffrage. has increased
the direct influence OF the mass Of the com
munity. given greater freedom TO individual
~sertion, 4 restricted more s. more the pow
ers Of Government yet the intelligence, pru-
drnce and patriotism Of the people have kept
pace with this augmented responsibility. ln
no country has education been so widely dif.
fused. Domestic peace has nowhere so large
lyreigned. The close bonds OF social inter
course have in no instance prevailed with
such harmony over a space SO vast. All
forms Of religion have tried, for the first
time. TO ditiuse charity and piety. because
for the first time, in the history ofnations. all
have been totally untraminelled. and abso-
lutely free. The deepest recesscs ofthe will
derness have been penetrated yet instead Of
the rudeness in the social condition conse-
guent upon such adventures elsewhere, nu-
merous communities have sprung up, alrea-
dy uniivalled in prosperity, general inteli-
gence, Internal tranquility, and the wisdom
OF their political institutions Internal i'm
provement. the fruit of individual enterprise.
fostered by the protection Of the States, has
added new links TO the confederation, and
fresh rewards to proyident industry Doubt
full questions OF domestic policy have been
quietly settled by mutual forbearance and
agriculture, commerce. and manufactures,
minister to each other. Taxation and pub
lie debt. the burdens which bear so heavily
upon all other countries. have pressed with
comparative lightness upon US. Without
one entanglng alliance. our friendship is
priced by every nation; and the rights Of
our citizensare every where respected, be-
cause they arc known TO be guarded by a
united sensitive and watchful people
To this practical operation Of our instiin-
tons so evident and successful, we owe that
increased attachment to them which is a.
nong the most cheering exhibitions OF pop
ular sentiment and will prove their best Sc.
curly, in time to come, against foreign or
domestic assault.
This review ofthe results OF our insttu-
tions, for hall century, without exciting a
spirit of vain exultation, should serve to inn
press upon us the great principles from
which they have sprung; constant and di'I
rect supervision by the people over every
public measure; strict forbearance on the
part Of the government from exercising any
doubtful or disputed powers and a eau
tious abstinence from all interference with
concerns which properly belong, and are
best lefl to State regulations and individual