Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-01-17
MESSAGE.
Fellow Citizens Of the Senate,
<.,d Ho,yoo of Dao.o...x.x,

On your assembling 10 perform the i'm
portant duties committed to you by the PEG.
pie of Michigan arm called on in obedience
TO an injunction Of the constitution. to sub.
nit to you the condition of the affairs of the
state. In obeyiug this mandate, avail my.
self Of the opportunity, to congratulate you
ON the general enviable condition in which
we find our beloved country. Whilst it be-
comes US to reflect on the calamities, which,
ar sing from the pecuniary embarrassments
of the commercial world, have visited ma.
~ of our fellow citizens, and to mpathisc
with their suferngs, we have yet abundant
reasons to return our Acknowledgements to
the Supreme Ruler ofnations for liberal par.
icipatlon in the ordinary blessing of his pro.
whence.
Another year has rolled arounl. We
find our country at peace with all the pow.
ers of the earth, and free from domestic vi
olence; her fame extending, and her high
character acknowledged and respected
throughout the habitable globe. AT home
the blessings of health have never been
more universal the labor Of the husband.
man has never been crowned with more
abundant harvests the interior view of
the safe presents the most striking proofs
OF substantial and increasing prosperity
and our vacant territory is rapidly becom.
ing the abode Of an industrious population,
characterized by an independent and dar-
ing spirit, educated in love of order, ha-
bituated to government, and valuing its
privileges above all price. All these plea
sing circumstances are subjects Of con.
graduation, and demand from us our
gratitude, as they mark the goodness Of that
Being from whose favor and bounty they
flow.
1t is TO be hoped that the crisis in the pc.
cuniary embarrassments Of the country has
now passed, and that the return of the ap.
preaching season of business will restore to
us our usual state Of activity and prosperi.
fy. However much we may lament the
individual suffering we have Witnessed, we
| can yet, if we choose, draw saluiary lessons
from the past. That an unnatural and for.
ced condition Of trade has existed tn the u.
nited States for several years past, none can
leny. Over banking, over-trading,and ne.
c elect Of productive labor, arc the prolific
sources from which have flowed all the e.
wills we have experienced. But gradual
extnguishment of our debt 10 Europe, tho
' reduction of an over.exiended trade, the
: curtailment of excessive credits, the gradu.
al suppression Of unlimited issues Of bank
paper, together with abundant harvests
and an increased attention 10 productive la.
Dor, all promise, and must insure, return
i 10 more prosperous times, and give health
!. and vigor to the present PROSTATE finances
g of the nation. The part which is mutually
i attributed to the general government and
It's agents, the deposite banks, in bringing
about the present state of things, consider
= it unnecessary here to discuss. Whilst my
\ opinions on the great questions of public
/. policy which now divide the nation, shall
:, never be withheld at the proper time and
place, | am unwilling to thrust them before
the Legislature of the state, where they coulc
only have tendency to excite feelings anc
, discussions, calculated to thwart the bust
ness Of your session, and impede the pro-
:; gress of the local interests committed &c
your charge.
L And il, fellow citizens, the political ex
;, element produced by the present condition
of the country, has stimulated the public
!. mind TO agree of fervor beyond all for
: mer example, this very excitement has fur
n nished the most undeniable proof Of the fit
is ness of the American people for the rights
= Of selfgovernment. Whilst the countrie.
= of Europe under similarly excited state
. would have exhibited instances Of popular
e violence, and perhaps bloodshed, no such
II caamities have marked The scene of our re
e cent troubles. Although our governmen
- may have been shaken to its centre, tn,
passions Of political strife have beat agains
N 1t In vain-shewing no weather side to the
?, storm, 1t stands erect, preserving social or
" der and maintaining the supremacy the
- laws.
But although we may have nothing tc
fear for our government from external dan
/! gers, or open domestic violence, there is We
" an insidous and secret foe the American
,, people should guard against; il is that i'm
v perceptible but I'll absorbing desire lurking
:, in the heart of man, to aggrandze self an(
10 promote private ends; which is too apt t.
2 forget country, and which, if INDUCED ant
II encouraged, must prove the undoubtet
cause of premature national degeneracy
The history Of other nations is before us
h and let US profit by their fate.
), /. has been well said, that il is not in ,
h government of spendor and extended pow
:, ers, that the American people are to seol
/. and find happiness; but in government
j. Of simplicity, Of just and mild laws. and o
defined and prescribed authority. Will
}. this conviction before US, we should keel
$, constantly in view the great principles up
2 on which our government was founded
81 guarding against The disunion of states, bu
resisting firmly an equal il not greater evil
the consolidation of the government in tn,
!. federal head, by the exercise of powers b,
6. Congress, no, clearly and positively delega
al ted to them by the constitution. We wan
government that will confer continues
!, freedom and lasting happiness upon the grea
:. body Of the people. No temporary benefi
or present pecuniary interest, should seduc,
us to justify the slightest violation Of thu
constitution, by sanctioning acts Of the 20
vernment not clearly and specifically au
thorized. II the doctrine Of implication b,
once yielded, the limits to our federal con
sti,ution are gone that instrument will thel
mean any thing or nothing, at the will o
those who may DO called on to constru