Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Spnaie and House IF
Representatives n The Unied States


We have continued cause for expressing our
gratitude to the Supreme Ruler Of the Universe
ior the bcneis and blessings which our cnun.
try, under his kind Providence, has enjoved dur.
lny the past OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES The eycit.
ing scenes through which we have passed, moth
ing has occurred To disturb the general peace. or
to derange the harmony nl our political system.
The great moral spectacle has been exhibited
of a nation, approx maiing in nnmher 10 2O.O0O,.
900 of people having performed the high aud
important function Of elecling their Chief Mag.
istra'e for the term Of four years, without the
commission of any acts of violence, or the man.
Hesitation Of spirit Of INSTRUMENTATION TO the
laws. The great and inesimable right Of sui.
frage. has been exercised by all who we're inves-
ted with il, under the laws Of the different States
in spirit dictated alone by desire, in the selec.
ton of the agent, to advance the interests of the
country, and to place beyond jeopardy the ins'i.
tutions under which it is our happiness to live.
That the deepest interest has been manifested
by all our countrymen in the result Of the cleo.
tion, is not less true than highly creditabie To
them. Vast multitudes have assembled, from
time to time, AT various places, for the purpose
nf canvassing the merits and pretcnsions Of those
who were presented for their suffrages but M
armed soldiery has been necessary to restrain,
within proper limits, the popular zeal, or to pre-.
vent violen, outbreaks. A principle much mure
coniroll ng was found in The love Of order and
obedience TO the laws, hich. with maIe ind
v,dual exceptions, every where possesses the
American mind, and controls with an influence
far mnre powerful than hosts of armed men
We cannot dwell upon This picture without re-.
cOsnising m It that deep and devoted attachment
on the part of the People, To the institutions I'M
der which we 1--we, which proc!ams their per
peiuiiy. The crest objection which has always
prevailed against tho election, BY the People, n
their Chief Executive officer, has been the APP
prehensiOn Of tumuts and disorders, which nigh
involve in ruin the entire Government.
| A security against this, is found not only il
the fact befre alluded TO, but in the additional
fact that we live under confedcracy embracin.
already twenty six States; no one OF which ha'
pnwer to control the election. The popular vote
in each State is taken at the time appointed b,
The laws. aud such vote is announced by III,
Electoral College, without reference to the de
g sions Of the other States. The right of sui
rage, and he mode Of conducting the election
~ regulated by the laws Of each State and thu
election is distinctly federaiive in all its pru.ni
nent features.-rhns it is that, unlike villa
mght be the results under consolidated sys
tenn, roiohs proceedings. should they prevail
could only affect the election in single States
without disturbing, to any dangerous extent. ih'
tranquility Of others. The great experiment
II pol'tcsl conlederacy--each 'ne'nher II
which is suprenie--as to all matters appertain
ing to i,s local interests. sd '- -"'
J,iJ, N "a n,1,puos,p ssaISuo1 V?NlN |