Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TO HE Senate and House of

Representatives of The United States:
We have continued cause for expressing DUR
gratitude to the Supreme Ruler Of the Universe
Tor the benefits and blessings which our country,
under his kind Providence, has enjoyed during the
past year. Notwithstanding the exciting scenes
through which we have passed, nothing has &C.
Cured to disturb the general peace, or to derange
the harmony of our political system. The great
: moral spectacle has been exhibited of a nation,
experimenting in number to 90 200, 900 of people,
having performed the high and important function
of electing their Chief Magistrate for the term of
four years, without the commission Of any acts of
violence, or the manifestation of spirit of insub-
ordination to the laws. The great and ihestima-
BILE right Of suffrage has been exercised by all
who were invested with it, under the laws of the
different States, in spirit dictated alone by de-
sire, in the selection of the agent, to advance the
interests Of the country, and to place beyond eo-
pardy the institutions under which il is our hap
Piness to live. Thatthe deepest interest has been
manifested by all our countrynen in the result
of the election, is not less true than highly cred.
1table to them. Vast multtudes have assembled,
from time to time, at various places, for the pur-
pose OF canvassng the merits and pretentions of
those who were presented for their snffrages but
no armed soldiery has been necessary to restrain,
within proper limits, the popular zeal, or TO pre-
vent violent outbreaks. principle much more
controlling was found in the love of order and
obedience to the laws, which, with mere individ-
uai exceptions, every where possesses the Ameri-
can mind, and controls with an influence far
more powerful than hosts of armed men. We
cannot dwell upon this picture without recognize
ing in it that deep and devoted attachment on the
part Of the People, to tho institutions under which
we live, which proclaims their pcrpetuity, The
great objection which has always prevailed a.
gainst the election, by the People, Of their Chief
Executive officer. has been the apprehension of
tumuts and disorders, which might involve in
ruin the entire Government.
security against this, is found not only i'm the
fact before alluded to- but in the additional fact
that, we live under confederacy embracing al
ready 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 announced by the
Electoral College, without reference To the decis-
ION OF the other States. The right Of suffrage,
and the mode of conducting the election, is regu-
lated by the laws Of each State and the election
is distinctly tederative in all its prominent ea-
tures.-Thus 1t is that, unlike what might be the
results under consolidated system, riotous pro-
ceedngs, should they prevail, could only affect
the elections In single States, without disturbing
to any dangerous extent, the tranquility of Others
The great experiment of political coniederacy-
each member of which is supreme-as to all mat.
tiers apperaining to its local interests and its in
ternal peace and happiness, by a volunta-
ny compact with others, it confdes to the united
power of all, the protection of its citizens, in
matters not domesc-has been so far crowned
with complete success. The world has witness
cd its rapid growth in wealth and population ;
and under the guidance and direction Of superin.
tending Providence, the developments of the past
may be regarded but as the shadowing forth of the
mighty future. In the bright prospects Of tina,
future, we shall find, as patriots and phanthro.
plsts, the highest inducements to cultivate and
cherish love Of union, and to frown 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. A rigid and
close adherance to the terms of our political com.
pact, and above all, sacred observance of the
guarantees Of the Constitution, will preserve un.
ion on foundation which cannot be shaken ;
while personal liberty is placed beyond hazard or
jeopardy. The guarantee 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 domestic institutions of each of the States
leaving the private citizen in the full exercise OF
the high and ennobling attributes of his nature
and to each State the privilege which, can only
be judiciousy exered by itself, of consulting the
means best calculated to advance its own happi.
ness these are the great and important guaran-
tees of the Constitution, which the lovers of lib
erty must cherish and the advocates of union must
ever cultivate.
Preserving these, and avoiding all interpretations
by forced construction, under the guse of an ina.
gined expediency, upon the Constitution, the in.
huence OF our political system is destined to be
actively and as beneficially felt on the distant
shores of the Pacific as it is now on those of the
Atlantic Ocean. The only formidable impedi-
ments in the way of its successful expansion (time
and sPace) are SO Tar in the progress of modi-
ficatIon, by the movements of the age, as TO rem
der no longer speculative the ability of Represen.
tatives from that remote region to come up 10 the
Capitol, so that their constituents shall participate
in all the benefits Of Federal legislation Thus il
Is, mat In the progress of time, the ineslimable
principles of civil liberty will be enjoyed by mil.
lions yet unborn, and the great benefits of our sys
lem OF Government be extended to now distant
snd uDinhabited regions In view of the vast
wilderness yet to be reclaimed, we may well in.
Slte The lover oil freedom, of every land to take
up his abode among us, and assist us i'm the grea,
work OF advancing the standard of civilization
and giving wider spread to the arts and refine.
ments of cultivated life. Our prayers should
evermore be offered up to the Father of the Uni.
verse for his wisdom to direct us in the path OF
our duty, so as TO enable US TO consummate these
high purposes.
One of the strongest objections which has been
urged against confederacies, by writers on Gov
eminent, is, the liability of the members to be
tampered with by foreign Governments, or the
People of foreign States either in their local af.
lars, or in such affected the peace of others,
or endangered the safety of the whole con!eder-
acy: we cannot hope to be entirely exempt from
Such attempts on our peace and safety.--The
Cbi.eo states are becoming too important in pop
oia'ion and resources not to attract the obserya-
tion Of other nations
1t, therefore, may, in the progress of time, oc.
cur maj opinions entirely abstract In the States
In which they may prevail, and in no deorse If.
feeling their domestic institutions, may he ar,enl.
ly, but secretly encouraged with view to Under.
mine the Union. Such opinions may become the
foundation Of political parties, until at last. the
conflict Of opinion, producing an alienation Of
friendly feeling among the People of the differ.
ent States, may involve in one general destruction