The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-12-11
MESSAGE

the President communicated the following Message
MESSAGE
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
To the t,oo Houses Of Congress, December a, 1888
Fsilo,o Citizens Of the Senate and
House Of Representatives.:
I congratulate you on the favorable circumstan'
ces in the condition of our country, under which
you reasonable for the performance OF your ofncia
duties. Though the anticipotlons OF an ABUNDANT
harvest have not every where been realized, yet
on the whole, the labors of tho husbandman are
rewarded with bountiful return; industry pros
pers in its various channels Of business and enier-
prise; general health again prevails through our
vast diversity of climate; nothing threatens, rom
abroad, the continuance of external pence nor mas
any thing at home impaired the strength OF those
fraternal d. domestic ties which constitute the oh'y
guaranty TO the success and permahehcy OF our
happy Union, and which, formed IN the hour %
peril, have hitherto been houorablyf sustained thro
every vclssitude in national AFFAIRS. lhese
blessings which evince the care and benehcence
Of Providence, call for our devout anu fervent
gratitude
We have not less reason to be grateful for other
bountes bestowed by the same munificent hand,
and more exclusively our own,
The present year closes the first half century OF
our federal institutions; and our system-diherlng
from MI others in tho acknowledged practical and
unlimited operation which it has for so long perl
cd given to the sovereignty of the people-has
now been fully tested by experience.
The consti tuton devised by our forefathers ms
the frame work and bond of that system, then I'M
tried, has become settled form Of government;
not only preserving and protecting the great Prn-
ciples upon which it was founded but wonderfully
promoting individual happiness and private inter-
est Though subject to change and entire revoca-
ton, whenever deemed inadequate to all these pur
poses vet such il the wisdom of it's construction,
and so stable has been public sentiment, that II re-
mains unalered except in matters of detail, COM
paratvely unimPortant 1t has proved amply sui
fcicnl Tor the various emergencies incident TO our
t1r,,,i Tn1,In fArn NynF
agitating collisions between domestic and, IN some
respects rival sovereg nties; temptations to inter.
lere IN the intestine CONNEXIONS OF neighboring
countries; the dangerous influences that arse III
periods of excessive prosperity: and the anti-re-
publican tendencies of associated wealth--tbese,
with other trials not less formidable, have all bean
encountered and thus far successfully resisted
1t was reserved for the American U mon to test
the advantages of Government entirely depend.
ant on the continual exercise of the popular Will;
and experience has shown that It is as benehcent
in practice as it is Just in theory. Each successive
change made in our local institutions has contrib
nted TO extend the right Of suffrage has increased
the direct influence of the mass OF the community,
given greater freedom to individual exeruon, and
restricted more and more, the powers OF the Gov
ernment vet the diligence, prudence, and patr-
otis SIN of the people, have kept pace with this aug
mented responsibility. In no country has cduca-
ton been SO widely dffused. Domestic peace has
nowhere so largely reigned. The close bonds Of
social intercourse have in no instance prevailed
with such harmony space so vast. All forms
of religion have united, for the first time, to dtfuse
charity and pie!y, because, for the first time IN the
history Of nations, all have been totally untram-
meIled and absolutely free The deepest recesses
of theiw iderness have beenlpenetrated yet instead
of the ruteness in the social condlnon consequent
upon such adventures elsewhere, numerous COM
,nupi,ies have sprung up, already unrivaled IN pros
peritv. general intelligence, internal tranquility,
and the wisdom of their political institutions In
tsrnal Improvement, the fruit OF individual enter
Prise fosered by the protection of the States, has
l.I links
rewards to provident industry. Doubtful questions
of domestic policy have been quietly settled by
mutual forbearance; and agriculture commerce land
manufactures, minister to each other. Taxation
and pubc debt, the burdens which bear So heavily
on all other countries, have pressed with compara
tive ghtuess upon Without one entangling
alliance friendship IS priced by every nation;
and tho rights Of citizens are every where re-
snected because they are known to be guarded by
a united, sensitive and watchful people:
To this practical operation of our institutions, so
,achmen, to them which is among the most cheer.
ing exhibitions of popular sentiment, and Will
prove their best security, in time to come, against
foreign and domestic assault.
This review Of the results of our institutions for
half century, without exciting spirit of vain ex-
ultation should serve to impress upon us the great
principles from which they have sprung; constant
and direct supervision by the people over every
public measure; strict iorbearance on the part o!
The Government from exercising any doubtful or
disputed powers; and cautious abstinence from all
interference with concerns which properly belong
and are best left State regulations and individual
enterprise. 49,
Pull information of the state of foreign affairs
having been recently, on different occasions, sub
mitted to Congress, 1 deem it necessary now to
bring to your notice only such ents as have sub
seauently occurred; or are of such importance as
10 require particular attention.
The most amcabe dispositions continue to be
exhibited by all the nations with whom the Gov
eminent and ctizeus OF the United States have ar
habitual intercourse. At the date of my last annu
al message, Moxico was the only nation (which
could moi be included IN gratifying reference
to our foreign relations.
am happy to be now able to inform you tina
an advance has been made towards the adjustmen
of our difficulties with that Republic, and the res
toration of the customary good feeling between thu
two nations. This important change has been eff
fected by concilitory negotiations that have result
ed in the conclusion of treaty between the TIVE
Governments which, when ratified, will refer t.
the arbtrament of friendly power all the subject
of controversy between us growing out Of injurie
TO individuals. There is, at present, also reasoI
to believe that an equitable settlement of all dis
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