Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-12-12
M Z s s A G. E
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE U:
FelIo1D Citizens of the Senate
and House of REPRESENTATIVES

and House or hepresent0tires:
congratulate you on the favorable cir
cumstances in the condition of our country,
under which you re-assemble for the per-
Torrance of your official duties. Though
the anticipations of an abundant harvest
have not everywhere been realized, yet on
the whole, the labors Of the husbandman
are rewarded with bountiful harvest; in
dustry prospers in its various channels of
business and enterprise; general health
again prevails through our vast diversity Of
climate; nothing threatens from abroad the
continuance of extended peace; nor has
anything at home impaired the strength of
those fraternal and domestic ties which
constitute the Only guaranty TO the success
and permanency of our happy Union, and
which, formed in the hour of peril, have
hitherto been honorably sustained through
every vIcissitude in our national affairs
The blessings, which eYince the care and
benefcence Of Providence, call for our de-
vout and fervent gratitude.
We have not less reason to be grateful
for other bounties bestowed by the same
munifcent hand, and more exclusively our
own.
The present year closes the first half
century Of our federal institutions: and our
SYSTEM differing from all others in the ac-
knowledged, practical, and unlimited opera
ton which it has Cor long period given to
the sovereignty of the people-has now been
fully tested by experience.
The constitution devised by our forefath-
ers as the frame work and bond of that
system, then untried, has become settled
form of government; not only preserving
and protecting the great principles upon
which it was founded but wonderfully pro-
noting individual happiness and private
interests. Though subject to change and
entire revocation, whenever deemed made
quate to all these purposes, yet such is the
wisdom of its construction, and so stable
has been the public SENTIMENT that it re-
mains unaltered, except in matters of detail
comparatively unimportant. 1t has proved
amply sufficient for various emergencies
..inciden. 10 our condition as nation A
formidable foreign war; agitating collisions
between domestic, and in some respects
rival sovereignties; temptations to interfere
in the intestine connections of neighborina
countries, the. dangerous influences tina
arise in periods Of excessive prosperity
and the anti-republican tendencies Of asso
ciated wealth-these, with other trials no
less formidable, have all been encountered
and thus far successfully resisted.
1t was reserved for the American Unior
to test the advantages of a government
strictly dependent on the continual exercise
OF the popular will: and our experience has
shown that 1t is as benefcent in practice a.
il is just in theory. Each successive change
made in our local institutions has contrib
uted to extend the right of suffiage, ha
increased the direct influence of The mass O
the community, given greater freedom t
individual exertion, and restricted more ant
more the powers Of government, vet tn,
people have kept pace with this augmented
responsibility. In no country has education
been so widely diffused. Domestic peace
has nowhere so largely reigned. The close
bonds of social intercourse have in no in
stance prevailed with such harmony over
space so vast. All forms of religion hav,
united, for the first time, 10 diffuse CHART,
and piety, because for the first time, in thu
history of nations, all have been total,
untrammelled, and absolutely flee. TIL
deepest.recesses Of the wilderness have teol
penetrated; yet, instead Of the rudeness il
the social condition consequent upon suci
adventures elsewhere, numerous communi
ties have sprung up, already unrivalled Ii
prosperity, general intelligence, interna
tranquility, and the wisdom Of their polit
ical institutions. Internal improvement, tn
fruit of individual enterprise, fostered b.
the protection of the States, has added new
links to the confederation, and fresh reward
TO provident industry. Doubtful question
OF domestic policy have been quietly settles
by mutual forbearance; and agriculture
commerce, and manufactures, minister (
each other. Taxation and public debt. III
burthens which bear so heavily upon al
other countries, have pressed with compal
M AZ
tangling alliance, our friendship is praise
by every nation, and the rights Of our cit
Zens are everywhere respected, becaus
they are known to be guarded by united
sensitive and watchful people.
To this practical operation of our institu
tons so evident and successful, we ow
that increased attachment to them which j
among the most cheering exhibitions {
popular sentiment, and will prove their hes
security in time to come, against foreig
and domestic assaults.
This review Of the results of our insti
tutions, Tor half century, without exciting
spirit oil vain Civilizations, should serve {
impress upon US The great principles iron
which they have sprung; constant and di
rect supervision by the people over ever,
public measure; strict Performances nm m
part of government from exercising an,
doubtful or disputed powers; and caution
abstinence from all interference with con
Germs which properly belong, and are bes
left 10 State regulations and individual en-
ierprise.
Full information of the state Of our for
eign affairs having been recently, on differ
ent occasions submitted 10 Congress,
deem IL necessary now 10 bring 10 YOU
notice only such events as have subsequent