The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-12-20
PREslDENl"s MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of

We have continued cause for expressing our
gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
for 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 occurred to disturb the general peace, or to
dcrangc the harmony of our political systcm.-
The great moral spectacle has been exhibited of
uatioA pproXimating in number to 20,O0O,OOO
ofpcop N.having performed the high and hnpor-
tanL function ofalecting their Chief Magistrate
for the term of four years, without the commits
sion of any acts of violence, or the manifestation
ola spirit of insuDOrdnatiOn to the laws. The
great and incstinabe right of suffrage, has been
exercised by all who were invested with 1t under
the laws of the different States in u spirit Gicta-
ted alone bva desire in the selection of the 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 deepest nteroat has been manifested
by all our countrymcn in the result Of the cleo
ton, is not less true, than highly crcditablc to
them Vast mutitudcs have assembled, from
time to time, at various places, for the purpose
of canvassng the merits and pretcnsons Of those
who were presented for their suifrage8 but no
armed soldicrv has been necessary TO restrain,
within proper limits the popular zeal, or to pre-
vent violent outbreaks. A principle much more
controlling was found in the love of order and
obedience to the laws, which with mere individ-
ual exceptions every where possesses the Amer
lean mind, and controls with an influence far
more powerful than hosts of armed men. We
cannot dwell upon this picture without rccogn-
ling in it that deep and devoted attachment on
the part of the people, to the institutions under
which we live which proclams their pcrpctuity.
The great objection which has always prevailed
against the election, by the people, of their chief
Executive officer has been the apprehension Of
tumults and disorders, which might involve i'll
ruin the entire government.
A security against this, Is found not only in
the fact before alluded to, but in the additional
fact that, we live under cOntadoracy 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 IL announced by the
electoral college, without reference to the dcci5-
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 ftderativc in all its prominent fea-
lures Thus it il that, unlike what might be
the results under a consolidated system, riotous
proceedings should they prevail, could only affect
the elections in single States, without disturbing
to any dangerous extent, the tranquility OF 9th
crs. The great experiment Of political conicd-
cracy-cach member of which - suprcme-as to
all matters appertaining to ITS local interests and
its internal peace and happinc3s,-whle by a
voluntary compact with others, it confdcs to the
united power of all, the protection of its citizens
in matters not domestc-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 experimenting providence the de-
vclopmonts of the past may be regarded but as
the shadOwing forth of the mighty future. In the
bright prospects of the future, we shall find, as
patriots and philanthropists, the highest induce
mcnts to cultivate and cherish love of union,
and to frown down every measure of effort which
NAV be made to ALLEVIATE the States or the people
ofthc States, in sentiment and feeling, from each
other A rigid and close adherence to the terms
of our political compact, and above all, secret
observance of the guarantees of the constitution
will preserve union on foundation which cannot
be shaken while personal liberty is placed be-
yond hazard or jeopardy.
The guarantee ofreligIous freedom, Of the free
dom of the press of the liberty of speech, of the
trial by jury, of the habcas corpus, and of the do
nestle institutions of each of the Statcs-leavng
the private citizen in the full exercise of the high
and enrolling attributes of his nature, and to-
each State the privilege which can only be judi
cously cXCrtCd by itself of consulting the means
best calculated to adyGncc 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 cu-
tivatc Preserving these, and avoiding all inter
polations by forced construc ton, under the guisc
of an imagined cXpcdiCnCy. upon the cOnstitu-
ton, the influence Of our political system is dEs.
tined to be as actively and as bcncfcally felt on
the distant shores of the Pacific, as it is now on
those of the Atlantic Ocean The only formula
bic impcdimcnts in the way of its successful cy-
pansion (timc and space are far in the pro-
grcss of modification, by the improvements of the
age, as to render no longer speculative the abili-
ty of Representatives from that remote region to
come up to the Capitol, so that their constituents
shall participate in all the benefits of Federal lc-
gislatlon.
Thus it is, that in the progress of time, the in
e;timable principles Of civil liberty will be enjoy
ed by millions yet unborn, and the great benefits
of our system of government 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 assist us in the work
ofadvancing the standard of civiization, and Civ
ing wider spread to the arts and rcfncments
of cultivated life. Our prayers should cvcrmorc
be offered up to the Father of the Universe 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 confedcracics, by writer's on gov
ernmcnt is, the liability of members TO be tam.
percd with by foreign governments or the peoblo
of foreign States, either in their local affairs or in
such as affected the peace of others, endangcr-
ed the safety of the whole confederacy. Wecan
not hope to be entirely exempt from such attempts
on our peace and safety. The United States
are becoming too important in population and
resources not to attract the observation of other
nations. 1t therefore may, in the progress of
time occur, that opinions entirely abstract in the
States in which they may prevail, in no degree
affecting their domestic institutions, may be- a IT.
fully but secretly encouraged, with view to un.
dcrmine the uuion. 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
ont states. may involve in one general dcstuc.
ton the happy institutions under which we live