Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-12-13
Presidents
M II s. 3 a G. E,

SECOND sEs lc.'.
Fellow.cilizens Of the Senate,


Icongratulate you on the favorable cir
Gums iunces in the condition Of our country
under which you reassemble for the perior-
nance Of your official duties. Though the
anticipaiions of an abundant harvest have not
every where been realized, yet, on the whole
the labors Of the husbandman are rewarded
with Il bonnilful return industry prospers
in its various channels Of business and
enterprise; general health again prevails
through our vast diversity otcll,nate; nothing
threatens, from abroad the continuance .!
external peace; nor has any thing at home
impaired the strength of those fratcrnal and
domestic ties which constitute the only
guaranty 10 the success aud pcrmnnency OF
our happy Union, and which formed IN the
hour OF peril have hitherto been honorably
sustained through every Vlcisslude IN our
national affairs. These blessings, which
evince the care and beneticence of provi-
dencc, call for our devout aud icrvcnt graft.
tudc.
We have not less reason to be grateful for
other bountes bestowed by the same munl-
fcent hand, and more exclusively our own.
The present year closes the first half CEN
tury Of Our federal institutions ; and our sys'
iem--dfTering from all others in the ac-
knowledged, practical, and unlimited opera
ton which 1t has for so long period given
to the sovereignty of the people-has now
been fully tested by experience.
The constitution devised by our torefath-
ers AS the frame work and bond of that sys-
tcin, then un,ricd, has become n settled form
Of governments; not only preserving and pro-
tecling the great principles upon which It
was founded, but wonderfully promoting in
dividua happiness aud private interests
Though subject to change and entire rero-
cation, whenever deemed inadequate To all
these purposes, yet such is the wisdom Of It's
construction, nnd so stable has been the
public sentiment, that it remains unaltered
except in matters of detail, comparatively
unnportant. 1t has proved amply sufficient
for the various emergencies incident to on
condition as n nation. A formidable torcigr
war; ayitaing collisions between domes site
and in some respects, rival s"verel gntics-
temptations to interfere IN the intestine com.
motions of uelghborng counties the dan
gcrous influences that arise IN periods of OK
ccssirc ro-pcr,y and the anti republican
tendencies OF associated "eaIth-thesc, witt
other trials not less formidable, have all beer
encountered aud thus far successfully re.
sisted.
1t was reserved for the American Union
to test the advantages of Government en-.
tircly dependant on the continual exercise al
the popular viii; and our experience has
shown that It ls as bcnCiiccnt IN practice a-
il is Just in theory. Each successive Change
madc in our local institutions has contributed
TO extend the right Of suffrage, has increased
tho direct influence of tho mass of the CON
munity, given greater freedom To indlvidna
cxcrtion. mud restricted more ard more, thc
powers ui government; yet the intelligence
prudence, and patriotism uf tho peor,c hav,
kept pace with this augmented responsibility
in no country has education been so widcl,
dln'uscd. Domestic peace has nowhere 81
largely rcigncd. The close bonds of socia
intercourse have in no instance prcvaile
with such harmony over space so vast. -
All forms OF religion have united, for the frs
time. TO dltfuse charity aud picly, because
for the first time in the history Of nations, al
have been totally unirummellcd and abso
lutely free.
The deepest recesses Of the wilderness
have been penetrated yet, instead OF TN
rudcncss in the social condition consequcn
upon such adventures elsewhere. numerou
communities have sprung up, already unri
vailed IN prosperity, general intelligence, III
tcrnnl tranquility, aud the wisdom of thci
political institutions. Internal improvement,
the fruit Of individual enterprise, tostcrcd b
the protection Of the states has added ne,
links 10 the confederation, and fresh reward
20 proviIent industry. Doubtful questions {
domestic policy have been quietly settled b
mutual iuIbearancc ; and agriculture, con
nerco and manufactures, minister to eac
other. Taxation and public debt. the bui
dcns which bear so heavily upon all olhe
ia.
lrhtness upon us. Without one cntanglin
alliance, our friendship is pilzed by ever
nation; and the rights Of our citizens al
every where respected, because they NJ
known to be guarded by united, scnslty
and watchfu people.
TO this practical operation of our ins,t,
tions, so evident and succe ssfnl. we owe tn
increased attachment to them which is anon
the most cheering exhibitions of popul'
sentiment, aud will prove their best sccurlt
in time to come, a. alnst foreign VI domcst
assault
This review OF the results Of our ins,i,'
tons, for half a century, without exciting
spirit ofvain eyultnton, should serve 10 N
press upon us ,hc great principles from wI,lc
they have sprung; constant aud direct supe
vision by the people over every public me
Govcrnmrn, from exercising any doubtful
disputed powers aud n cautious ab,linen'
from oil Interference with concerns whi,
properly belong, and arc best lett to Sta
regulations and individual enterprise.
Foil information Ui tho state ui Our frcil
sHaiVs having been recently, ou two dlllnr"
occasions, submitted to Congress, deem
necessary now 10 bring g. your motto" "n
such event. n hay" suh-cou' nt', incurred,
src ~ euch importance rs to oIc!uirc pa't.u,
sttention.
The mos, nmicable dispos ,nns con'ln'
20 BE- exhihred by nll tho nations with who
the Governm,m aud cillens "f the Unit
States have TN hablu1l intercourse. ~ Z
date uf nIy last annual message, Mexico "
the OILY nation which could not be nclnd
in 81 gratifying lrlgEeLee ie our iVftl.
tslt,!tas