The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
70 he Senate and House Of

Notwithstanding the exciting through which
we have passed, nothing has occurred TO disturb the
general peace, 10 derRnge the harmony Of our po'
iica system. The great moral spectacle has been
exhibited of nation, approSimating in numbers to
20 100000 Of people have performed the high and
important function of eectng their Chief Magistrate
Tor the term of four years. without the commission OF
any acts Of violence the manifestation Of spirit
Of INSTRUMENTATION to the laws. We cannot DIV III
upon the picture without recognizing in that deep
and devoted attachment the part of the people to
the institutions under which live, which proclaim
their perpetniy. The great oh action which has al
ways prevailed against tho election, by the people, o"
their Chief Magistrate, has been the apprehension of
tumults and disorders, which might Involve in rnn
the entire government. security against this is
found not only in the fact before alluded TO, but in
the additional fact that we live under oonlederncy
embracing already twenty six States; of which
has power to control the election The great eXper
iment Of a political confedGracy zach member of
which is suprene-as TO all matters pertaining TO its
local interests, and its internal peace and happiness
while by voluntary compact with others, 1t conlldes
TO the united power Of all, the protection Of its c
z3ns in matters not domestic has been far
ed with complete success, The world has Witnessed
its rapid growth in wealth and population and, under
the guide and direction of experimenting Irovi-
dence the developments Of the past may be regarded
the shadowing forth of the mighty future. In the
bright prospects o; that FUTURE shall find pltri
OTIS and phiMnthropiSts. tho highest inducements to
cultivate and cherish love Of union, and TO lrOwn
down every measure or effort which may be made TO
aenate the States, the people Of the States, in
timent and feeling, from each Other rigid and
close adherence TO the terms Of our polite Al compact,
uni, above all, sacred Observance of the guarantees
Of the Consultation, will preserve union on ounda-
lion which cnnot be shnken; while personal liberty
i, placed beyond hazard or jeopardy,
The guarantee Of religious freedom, or the free
dom ofthe press, of the liberty Of speech, oflhe trial
by jury, Of the habeus corpas, and Of the domestic
institutions Of each OF the Stles leaving the private
IL, ,ha fill nT thah ,h Ia,
attributes Of his nature and each State the priv-
legs which can only be judclously eXerted hg ITSELF
of consulting the hes! calculated to advance its
own happiness; these are The great and important
guarantees of the Constitution, which the lovers OF
liberty must cherish, and tho advocates of union
cultivate Preserving these, and avoiding all
interpretations by forced constructions under the guise
Of an imagined experience, upon the Constitution, the
influence of our political system is destined to be as
actively and bencGcally tet on the distant shores
oflhe Pacific as it is the shores of The Allan
sic Ocean. The only formidable impedmeuts in the
way of the successful expansion (tirne and space)
have so far in the progress OF modification by the
impro vemens of the age, render longer
speculative the ability Of Representatives from that
remote region come up to The capitol that their
constituents shall participate in all the benefits OF Fed
eral legislation. Thus it is, that in the progress OF
tiine the inesmable principles Of civil liberty will
be enjoyed by millions yet unborn, and the great ben
eft 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 a
bodc among u.s. and assist in the great work of ad
vlncng the standard of civilization, and giving wi
der spread the arts and refnenents of cultivated
life. Our prayers should evernore be offered up TO
the Father oflhe Universe for his wisdom to direct
nS in the path of duty, to enable us 10
sumndte those high purposes
One of the strongest objections which has been
urged against conlederaces, by writers on Govern
ment, is, the liability of members 10 be tempered
with by foreign Governments, or the people OF Tor
cgn Staes either in their AFFAIRS or in such as affect
ed tho peace Of others, endangered the safety vi
The whole conrederacy. We cannot hope to be en-
firey exempt fom such attempts our peace and
safety. Tho United States are becoming too impor-
in population and resources not 10 attract the OBJ
serva,on Of other nations. It, therefore, may in the
progress of time occur, that opinions entirely abstract
in the States in which they may prevail, and in no de-
gree affecting their domestic Institutions, may be art
fully but secretly, encouraged with view TO under
mine the Union. Such opinions may become the
foundation of political parties, until at last, the con-
hict OF opinion pl ucing alienation of friendly
feeling among the people of tho different States, may
involve in general destFuction the happy insru-
tons under which live. IL should ever be borne
in mind that what Is in regard to individuals is
equally so in regard to States An interference of
in the affairs Of another is the fruitful Of
family dssensions and neighborhood disputes; and
the affects the peace, happiness and pros
perity of States. IL may be most deVouty hoped
be ready to repel all such attempts should they
be made.
There has been material change in our foreign
relations since my last annual message to Congress
With all the powers Of Europe continue the
most friendly terms. Indeed, it affords much sat
isfacton to state that at former period has the
peace of that enlightened and important quarter Of
the globe been, apparently, more firmly csab-
lished. The conviction, that peace is the true policy
of nations would to be growing and becoming |
deeper amongst the enlightened every where; and |
there is no people who have stronger interest in |
chershng these sentiments, and adopting the means
of preserving and giving it permanence than those of
the u. States. Amongst these, the first and most Eff
ecve are doubt, the strict observance of justice,
and the honest and puncual ful6men of all engage
men,s But it is to be forgotten that, in the pres
eat state of tho world, it is less necessary to be
ready to enforce their observance and fuilment, in
reference to ourselves, than to observe and fulfil |
them on our part, in regard to others
Since the close Of your last session, a negotiation
has been formally entered upon between the Secreta-
~ of State and her Britannia Majestys Minister Pen
ipotentary and Envoy Extraordinary residing at Wash
ington, relative to the rights Of their respective
tIons in and the Oregon territory That negoti-
alton is still pending Should it, during your session.
be brought to definite conclusion, the result will be
communicated to Congress. 1 would how
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