Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FelloD-citizens Of the Senate.
and House of Renresenfof:ney.

l congratulate you on the favorable circu,ns,an-t
ces IN the condition Of country, under which
you re-assemblc for the performance of your Off
cial duties. Though the an,icipations of an album
dant harvest have not every where been realized.
vet, on the whole, the libors Of the husband,nan
are rewarded with a bountful return; industry
pr'sPers IN its various channels of business, en-
terprise, and general health az lin prevails thru
our vast diversity of climate. nothing threatens
from abroad, the countcnance Of external peace; .
nor has any thing at home impaired The strength /
OF those ra.ern1l and domestic ties which consti-
tute the only guaranty to the success and permit
nency Of our happy Union, and which, formed in
the hour of peril, have hitherto been honorabIy /
sustained through every vicissitudc in nation
al affiirs. These blessings, which evince the
and beneticcnce OF Providence, call for our devout
and fervent gratitude.
We have no less RI, son to be gre,,sul FOR other
bounties bestowed by the same manifi cent hand,
and more exclusively own.
The present Year closes the first half century
of our Federal institutions; and our systematic
ferlng from all others the ackno wledged, practi
cal, and Unlimited operation which II has for SO
long period given to the sovereignty Of the peo
ple-has been fully tested by experience.
The Constitution devised by our forefathers as
the framework and bond of that system then UNI
tried, has become a settled form of Government;
not only preserving and protecting the great prn-
cipes upon which it was founded, but wonderfully
promoting individual happiness and private inte
luton, Whenever deemed inadequate to all these
purposes vet such is the wisdom Of its construc.
ton, and so stable has been the public sentiment,
that it remains unatered, except in matters Of de-
tail, comparatively unimportant. 1t has proved
amply sufficient for the various emergencies in
cident our condition n nation. A formidable
foreign war; agitating collisions between domestic
and, In Soma respects, rival sovereignities: temp
tations to interfere in tho intestine connections of
neighboring countries the dangerous influences
tk,,to 10 Of
the antirepubIican tendencies of assocated wealth
these with other trials not less formidable have
all been encountered, and thus far successfully
sisted.
II was reserved for the American Union to test
the advantages Of a Government entirely depen-
dent the continual exercises of the popular
will; and our experience has shown that it is
benefcent in practice 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
tho community, given greater freedom to indiv i'd
ual exertion, and restricted, more and more, the
power Of Government; yet the intelligence, pru-
dence, and patriotism Of the people have kept pace
with this augmented responsibility. In coun-
try has education been widely diffused. Domes-
tic peace has nowhere so largely rcigned. The
close bonds Of social Intercourse have in no in
stance prevailed with such harmony over a space
vast. All forms Of religion have united, for the
first time, to diffuse charity and piety, because
for the first time in the history Of nations, ali
have been totally untrammelled, and absolutely
free. The deepest recesses of the wilderness have
been penetrated; yet, instead Of the rudeness in
tho social condition consequent upon such adven
lures elsewhere, numerous communities have
sprung up, already unrvaled i'll prosperity, gene
raj intelligence, internal tranquility, and the wis
dom Of their political institutions. Internal i'm
prov cmcnts, the fruit of individual enterprise, fos
tered by the protection of the States, has adde
new links to tho confederation, and fresh reward
>t{, II ofl
nestle policy have been quietly settled by mutus
forbcarancc; and agriculture, commerce, and mar
ufactures, minister to each other. Taxation an
public debt, the burdens which bear so heavil
upon all other countries, have pressed with con
parative lightness upon us. Without one cnian!
ling alliance, our friendship is priced by every n
ton; and the rights Of our citizens are ever
where respected, because they are known to
guarded by united, sensitive, and watchful peopl
To this practical operation Of our institution
so evident and successful, owe that incrcas
attachment to them which IS among the mo
cheering exhibitions Of popular sentiment, a
will prove their best security, in time to con
against foreign or domestic assaults.
This review of tho results Of our institution
for half century, without exciting spirit OF va
exultation, should serve to impress upon
great principles from which they have sprur
constant and direct supervision by the people o,
every public measure: strict forbearance on
part Of the Government from exercising a
doubtful or disputed powers; and a cautious abb
nenco from all interference with concerns VIII
properly belong, and arc best left TO State reg,
tons and individual enterprise.
Full information Of the state Of our foreign
fairs having been recently, on two different oc
sions, submitted to Congress, deem il necess
now to bring to your notice only such events
have subsequently occurred of such
portance as to require your attention.
The most amicnble dispositions continue Il
exhibited by all the nations with whom tho G
eminent and citizens Of the United States h
IN habitual intercourse. At the date Of my
annual message, Mexico the only ma
which could not De included in gratifying a
ference in our foreign relations.
arm happy to be able to inform you tina
advance has been made towards tho adusin
Of our difficulties with that Republic, and the
storation of the customary good feeling betw
the two nations. This important change has |
effected by conciliatory negotiations, that
resulted in the conclusion ola treaty between
two Governments, which, when ratified, will
fer to the aibitrament Of friendly power all
subjects Of controversy between growing
OF injuries to indv duals There is, at pres
also, reason to believe that equitable Sc
ment OF all disputed points will be attained y
n fPf 10 diff Ycnltx lnlr