The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To The Senate and House Of

ing the exciting scenes through which we
have passed, nothing has occurred to disturb
the general peace, or to derange the harmony
of our political system. The great moral
spectacle has been exhibited of nation, ap-
nroximatino in number to 100000 of peo-
ple. having performed the high and impor-
taut function of electing their Chief Magis-
trate 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 inestimable
right of suffrage, has been exercised by all
who were invested with it, under the laws OF
the different states, in spirit alone dictated
bv desire, in the selection OF an agent, to
advance the interests of the country. and to
place beyond jeopardy the institutions under
which it is our happiness to live. That the
deepcst interest has been manifested by all
our countrymen in the result of the election,
is not less true than highly creditable to them.
Vast mulritudes have assembled from time 10
time, at various places, for the purpose of
canvassing the merits and pretensions of those
who were presented for their sufirages but
no armed soldiery has been necessary TO re-
strain, within proper limits, the popular zeal,
or to prevent violent outbreaks A principle
much more controlling was found in the love
of order and obedience TO the laws, which
with mere individual exceptions, every where
possess the American mind, and controls with
an influence far more powerful than hosts OF
armed men. We cannot dwell upon this
picture without recognizing in it that deep
and devoted attachment on the part OF the
people, TO the institutions under which we
live, which procaims their perpetuity. The
great objection which has always prevailed
asains, the election. by the people, of their
Chief Executive officer, has been the appre-
hension of tumults and disorders, which
might involve in ruin the entire Govern
ment.
A security against this is found not only in
the fact before alluded TO, but in the addition
al fact that we live under a confederacy en-
bracing 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 an
nounced by the electoral college, without
reference TO the decisions of the other states.
The right of suffrage and the mode of con-
Quoting the election, is regulated by the laws
of each state; and the election is distinctly
fedcrative in all its prominent features. Thus
it is, that unlike what might be the results
under consolidated system, riotous proceed
ings, should they prevail, could only affect
the election in single states, without disturb
ing, to any dangerous extent, the tranquility
of others.
The great experiment of a political con-
iederacy-each member of which is supreme
as TO all matters appertaining 10 IFS local
interests, and lis internal peace and happi-
ness,-while by a voluntary compact with
others, it confides 10 the united power Of all,
the protection Of its citizens in matters not
domesiic-has been so far crowned with
complete success. The world has witnessed
its rapid growth in wealth and population;
and, under the guide and direction Of a su-
perintendng Providence, the developments
Of the past may be regarded but as the shad-
owing forth oil the mighty future. In the
bright prospects of that future, we shall find,
as patriots and plIilanthropists, the highest
inducements 10 cultivate and cherish love
ofunion, and to irown down every measure
or effort which may be made TO ALLEVIATE the
states, or the people Of the states, in senti-
ment and feeling, from each other. rigid
and close adherence to the terms of our
political compact, and, above all, a sacred
observance ofthe guarantees of the Consti-
tuition, will preserve union on foundation
which cannot be shaken while personal
liberty is placed beyond hazard or Jeopardy.
The guarantee ofreligious freedom, OF the
freedom OF the press, OF the liberty of speech,
of the trial by jury, of the habeas corpus,
and of the domestic institutions of each ofthe
States--leaving the private citizen in full
exercise of the high and ennobling attri-
butes ofhis nature. and to each state The priv
iegc which can only he judiciously exerled
by ITSELF or consulting the means best calcu-
lated 10 advance its own happiness these
are the great and important guarantee OF the
Constitution which the lovers of liberty must
cherish and the advocates Of union must ever
cultivate.
Preserving construction, and avoiding
all interpretations by forced construction
under the guise of an imaginary expedi-
ency, upon the Constitution, the inhu
ence Of our political system is destined TO
be as actively and as beneficiently felt
on the distant shores of the Pacific, as it
is upon those of the Atlantic Ocean. The
only formidable impediments in the way
Of its successful expansion time and
space are so far in the progress Of modi'
hcation, by the improvements of the age,
as 10 render no longer speculative the a.
bllity of Representatives from that remote
region to come up TO the Capital. so that
the constitutes shall participate in all
the benefits of Federal legislation. Thus
it is, that in the progress Of time, the in
estimable privileges of civil liberty will
be enjoyed by millions yet unborn, and
The great benefits of our system of gov
eminent be extended TO now distant and
uninhabited regions. In view of the
vast wilderness yet to be reclaimed we
may well invite the lover of freedom, of
every land, TO take up his abode among
US, and to assist US in the great work OF
advancing the standard of civilization, g.
giving a wider spread to The arts and re-
6nement of cultivated life. Our prayers
should evermore be offered up to the Fa'
ther Of the universe for his wisdom to di'
rect us in the path of our duty, so as TO