Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-12-22

y
Gifted. and defined with precision and clear
ness which would seem 10 defy miscons,rnc-
ton, il has been my constant aim TO cqRtine
myself within the limits so clearly marked out;
and so carefully guarded. Having always
been OF opinion that the best preservativc OF
the union ofihe states is 10 be found in to-
tai abstinence from the exercise Of all doubt
ful powers on the par, Of the Federal Govern
msnt rather than in attempts to assume them
| by loose construction OF the constitution, OF
an ingenious pervcrson OF its words. have en-
doavored TO avoid recommending any measure
which had reason TO spprehend would in the
opinion even of a considerable minority OF my
fellow citizens, be regarded as trenching on
the rights Of the States, or tho provisions OF
the hallowed instrument OF our Union. View
ing the aggregate powers OF the Federal Gov
ernmen, as a voluntary concession OF the states,
/ il seemed TO me that such only should be ex-
crcised as were at the time intended 10 be piv-
en-.
have been strengthened, too, in the pro-
priety Of this course, by the conviction thai all
efforts to 90 beyond this, tend only to produce
dissatisfaction and dis,rusi, 10 excite jealous
les, and TO provoke resistance, Instead ofad-
ding strength TO the Federal Governments even
when successfully they must ever prove sosrce
of incurable weakness, by alternating potion
Of those whose adhesion is indispensable TO
the great aggregate of united strength, and
whuse voluntary attachment is, i NY 'ai Use
ton, far more essential to the efficacy
government strong in the best ~
strength--the confidence and -lsear
all those who make up its coasi s s'c
ments.
Thus believing, it has been my roosa tasa-
cure to the whole people, and 70 every mem
Der Of the conederacy, by general, sautary,
and equal laws alone, the benefit of those re-
publican institutions which it was the end and
aim of the constitution to establish, and the
impartial influence of which is, in my judy
ment, indispensable to their preservation. /
cannot bring myself to believe that the lasting
happiness OF the people, the prosperity of the
States, or the permanency OF their Union, can
be maintained by giving preference or priority
to any class of citizens in the distribution of
benefits or privileges, or by the adoption of
measures which enrich one portion of the Un-
ion at the expense of another nor can see
in the interference of the Federal Government
with the local Legislation and reserved rights
of the States, remedy for present, or security
against future dangers.
The first, and assuredely not the least, i'm
portant step towards relieving the country from
the condition into which il has been plunged
by excuses in trade, banking, and credits of !
-
tons of Government itself on solid basis !
giving and receiving in all cases value for val |
ue, and neither countenancing nor encouraging |
in others that delusive system of credits from |
which il has been found so difficult to escape,
and which has left nothing behind it but the |
wrecks that mark its fatal career.
That the financial affairs of the Government
are now, and have been during the whole pc
riod of these widespreading difficulties, con-
Quoted with strict and invariable regard to
this great and fundamental principle, and that
by the assumption and maintenance ofthe stand
thus taken on the very threshold of the APP
preaching crisis. more than by any other cause
or causes whatever, the community at large
has been shielded from the ncalculable evils
OF general and indefinite suspension of spe-
Gle payments, and consequent humiliation,
for the whole period it might have lasted, of
Just and invariable standard of value, will, it
is believed, at this period, scarcely be ques-
toned.
A steady adherence, on the part of the Gov
eminent, to the policy which has produced
such salufary results, aided by judicious State
legislation, and, what is not less important,
by the industry, enterprise, perseverance, and
economy OF the American people, cannot fail
TO raise the whole country, at an early period,
to state OF solid and enduring prosperity, not
subject to be again overilrown by the suspen-
sion OF banks or the explosion of bloated
credit system. 1t is for the people, and their
representatives, to decide whether or not the
permanent welfare of the country (Which all
good citizens equally desire, however widely
they may differ as to the means of its accom-
pshmenp shall be this way secured; or wheth-
er the management of the pecuniary concerns
oil the Government, and, by consequence, to
great extent, those of individuals also, shall
be carried back TO a condition of things which
iostered those contractions and expansions of
the currency, and those reckless abuses of
credit, from the baleful effects of which the
country has so deeply suffered-a return that
can promise, in the end no better results than
to reproduce the embarrassments the Govern
ment has experienced; and to remove from
the shoulders of the present, to those Of fresh
victims, the bitter fruits of that spirit of specu-
lative enterprise to which our counlrymen are
so liable, and upon which the lessons of ex.
perience arc so unavailing. The choice is an
important one, and sincerely hope that it may
be wisely made.
report fran theSecreiary of War.preseni-
ing detailed view of the affairs of that de-
partmenf, accompanies this communication.
The desultory duties connected with the re-
moval OF the Indians, in which the army has
been constantly engaged on the northern and
western frontiers, and in Florida, have rem
dered it impracticable to carry into full effect
the plan recommended by the Secretary for
Improving ITS discipline. In every instance
where the regiments have been concentrated.
'hey nave made great progress; and the best
results may be anticipated from a continuance
OF inns system. During the last season, a part
oil the troops have been employed in removing
'he indians from the interior TO the teIritorv