Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

To tho Senate and
House Of Representatives. Of tho United States:
We have continued cause for express.
sing our gratitude to tho Supreme Ruler
of tho Universe for the benefits and bles
sings which our country, under his kind
Providence, has cnjoyed the past year.
Notwithstanding tho exciting scenes
through which we have passed. nothing
has occurred to disturb the general
peace, or to dcrange tho harmony Of our
political system. The grea, moral spec.
tacle has been exhibited ofa nation. ap
proximaling in number to 20,000,000 of
people, having performed the high and
important function Of electng their Chief
Magistrate for the term of four years,
without the commission OF any acts OF
vioIonse, or the manifestation Of II spirit
OF insubordnaton to the laws. The
great aud lnes,imable right Of suffrage
has been exercised by all who were IN
vested with it, under the laws Of the DIFF
lercn, States, in spirit dictated alone by
"A desire, in the selection OF the agent, to
advance the interests Of the country, and
to place beyond jeopardy the institutions
under which i, is our happiness TO I've
That the deepeet interest has been mani.
tested by all our countrymcn in the re-
cult of the election, Is no, less true, than
highly cred,able 10 them. Vast multi.
,udes have assembled, from time TO time,
al various places, for the purpose OF can.
yassing the merits and prelcnsions Of
those who wore presented for their suf.
fruges but no armed soldiery has been
necessary to restrain, within proper lin.
i,s, the proper zeal. ar to prevent violent
outbreaks. A principal much more con-
trolling was found in the love OF order
and obrdioncc TO the laws, which, with
mere individual exceptions, every where
possess the American mind, aud controls
with an influence far moro powerful than
hosts of armed men. We cannot dwell
upon this picture without recognizing III
i, ,ha, deep and devoted attachment on
the par, Of tho People, 10 the institutions
under which we live, which proclaim
their porpoluity. The great objection
which has always prevailed against the
election, by tho People, Of their ChlcI
Executive officers, has been the appre
hcnson Of tumults aud disorders, winch
might involve in ruiu the entire Govern
mcnt. A security against this, is tonnc
not only in tho fact before ulIudcd TO, bu
in the additional fact that we live unde'
u coufederssy embracing already lwcn-
iy.six States no one OF Inch has pow
or 10 control the election. The populaI
vote in each State is taken at the iimC
appointed by the laws, aud such vote II
announced by its Electoral College
without reference to the decision Of III,
other States. The right Of suffrage, M,
tho mode of conducting the election, /
regulated by the laws of each State AIT
the election is distinctly fedoraiIve ~ al
its promncn, features. Thus II is that
unlike whu, might be the results undo
"A consolidated system, rlotous proceed.
ings, should they prevail, could only ai
fcct tho elections in single States, with
out disturbing, TO any dangerous extent
the tranquility Of others. Tho great ex
pertinent Of n political conlrdcrocy-
each member of which IL supreme - n
To aJ matters apperlaInlng to It's local IN
terests. aud its internal peace and hoqpi
u,ss-while bv voluntary compact wit
olh,rsyil cvnfl,s ~ the united power I