Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-12-13
Presidents Message.
TO the Senate and House Of
Representatives of The

We have continued cause for expressing our
gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the universe
for the benefits and blessings which our coun-
try, under His kind Providence, has enjoyed du-
ring the past year. Notwithstanding the excl
ting scenes through which we have passed, no.
thing has occurred to disturb the general peace,
or to derange the harmony of our political sys-
TEN. The great moral spectacle has been eX-
hiblted of nation, approXimating in number to
20,0OO,OO0 ofpeople, having performed the high
and important function of eecting their chief
magistrate for the term Of four years, without
the commission of any acts Of violence, or the
manifestation of spirit of INSTRUMENTATION to
the laws. The great and inestimabIe right of
suffrage has been exercised by all who were in
vested with it, under the laws Of the different
states, in a spirit dictated alone by desire, in
the selection of the agent, to advance the inter
ests of the country, and to place beyond jeopar-
dy the institutions under which it is our happ-
ness to live. That the deepest interest has been
manifested by all our countrymen in the result
of the election, is not less true than highly Gre
dtabe to them. Vast mutitudes have assem-
bled, from time to time, at various places, for
the purpose of canvassing the merits and pre-
tensions of those who were presented for their
suttrages but no armed soldiery has been ne
cessary to restrain within proper limits the pop
ular zeal, or prevent violent outbreaks. A prIn-
love of order and obedience to the laws, which
with mere individual exceptions, every where
possesses the American mind, and controls with
an influence far more powerful than hosts of
armed men. We cannot dwell upon this pic
ture without recognizing in it that deep and de-
voted attachment on the part of the people, to
the Institutions under which we live, which pro-
claims their perpetuity. The great objection
which has always prevailed against the election
hU tho noODlo IF tboir obioF
has been the apprehension of tumults and disor
ders, which might involve in ruin the entire go
vernment. A security against this is found not
only in the fact before alluded to, but in the ad
dltlonal fact that we live under confederacy
embracing already twenty-six states; no one Of
which has power to control the election. The
popular vote in each state is taken at the time
appointed by the laws, and such vote is announ-
ced by its electoral college, without reference
to the decision of the other states. The right
of suffrage, and the mode of conducting the
election, is regulated by the laws of each state;
and the election is distinctly federatve in all its
prominent features. Thus it is that, unlike
what might be the result under a consolidated
! system. rlotnns proceedings. should they pre-
vaii, could only affect the election in single
states, without disturbing, to any dangerous eX-
tent, the tranquility ofthe others.
Ahe great experiment of IA political confedc
facy-each member of which is supreme-as to
MI matters appertaining to its local interests,
and its internal peace and happiness, while by
q voluntary compact with others, it confides to
the united power of all the protection of its cit
liens, in matters not dOmestc-has been so far
crowned with complete success. The world has
witnessed its rapid growth in wealth and popu-
lation; and under the guide and direction of
experimenting Providence, the Developments
of the past may be regarded but as the shadow
ing forth of the mighty future In the bright
prospects of that future, we shall fnd as patri-
! OTIS and philanthropsts, the highest inducements
to cultivate and cherish love Of union, and to
trown down every measure or effort which may
be made to ALLEVIATE the states, or the people of
the states, in sentiment and feeling from each
other. A rigid and close adherence to the terms
of our political compact and above all, a sa-
cred observance of the guarantees of the constl-
tuition, will preserve the union on a foundation
which cannot be shaken; while personal liberty
is placed beyond hazard or jeopardy The guar
antics of religious freedom, of the freedom of
the press, Of the liberty of speech, of the trial
by jury, Of the habeas corpus, and of the domes-
tic institutions Of each of the states-leaving the
private citizen in the full exercise of the high &
ennobling attributes of his nature, and to each
state the privilege, which can only be judicious-
ly eXerted by itself, of consulting the means best
calculated to advance its own happiness these
are the great and important guarantees of the
constitution, which the lovers of liberty must
cherish, and the advocates of union must ever
cultivate. Preserving these, and avoiding all
interpretations by forced construction, under the
guise of an imagined eXpedency, upon the con-
stitution, the influence of our political system IS
destined to be as active and as beneficlaIIy felt
on the distant shores ofthe Pacific, as it now is
on the shores Of the Atlantic Ocean. The only
formidable impedments in the way OF Its sue
cessful expansion (time aud space) are so
far in the progress of modification by the mn
proyements of the age, to render no longer
speculative the ability of representatives from
that remote region to come up to the caPltol,
SO that their constituents shall participate III all
the benefits of federal legislation. Thus it is
that, in the progress of time, the inestimabe
principles of civil liberty will be enjoyed by
millions yet unborn, and the great benefits OF
our system of government be extended to now
distant and unnhabited regions. In view OF the
vast wilderness yet to be reclaimed, we may
we'll invite the lover of freedom, of every land,
to take up his abode among us, and assist US II
the great work of advancing the standard otclV
ilization, and giving wider spread to the arts
and reinements of cultivated life. Our pray
ers should evermore be offered up to the Fa
Their oftke Universe for His wisdom to direc
us ia the path of our duty, so as to enable US tt
consummate these high purposes
One of the strongest objections which ha
been urged against confederacles, by writer's OF
government, is, the liability of the members tt
be tempered with by foreign governments, o
the people of foreign states, either in their 10
cal affairs, or in such as affected the peace 0
others, or endangered the safety of the who'll
confeneIacy. We cannot hope to be entirel.
exempt from such attempts on our peace ant
safety. The United States are becoming to-
important in population and resources not to at