Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-12-20
TO the Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the United States:


TO The Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the United States:
We ehavecontinued cause for expressing
our gratitude to the Supreme Ruler OF the
Universe for the benefits & blessings Which
our country, under his kind providence,
has enjoyed during the past year. Not
withstanding the exciting scenes through
which we have passcd, nothing has occur
fTed to disturb the general peace, or to de-
range the harmony OF car political system.
The great moral spectacle has been eXhiIi~
ted of nation, approximatmg in number
to twenty millions of people, having per-
formed 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 a spirit Of insubordination to the hwf,
The great and inestmable right of suffrage
has been exercised ly all who were invest
ed with it, Hnder the laws OF the different
States, in a spirit dictated alone by de-
sire, in the election Of the agent, to adj
vance the interests OF the country, and TO
place beyond jeopardy the institutions un-
der which It isOur happiness 10 live. That
the deepest interest has been manifested
by all our oountrymen in the result Of the
election, is not less true than highly credi-
table to them. Vast mutItudes have as
spmbled from time to time, at various pla-
ces, for the purpose of canvassing the
merits and prptensions Of those who were
presented for their suffrages; but no armed
sOdiery has been necessary to restrain
within proper limits the popular zeal, or to
prevent violent outbreaks. A principle
much more controlling was found in the
love Of order and obedience to the bus
which, with mere individual exceptions,
every where possesses the American mind,
4 controls with an influence itr more pow
eful than hosts of armed men. We can
not otdwe upon this picture without rocog-
nsing in it1hat deep and devoted attach
ment ON the part Of the People to the in
stitutons under which we live, which pro-
claims their perpctuity The great bjec-
ton which has always prevailed against
the election by the people of their Chief
Executive officer, has been the apprphen-
sion Of tuuHIts and disorders, which might
involve in ruin the entire Government. A
security against this is found not only in
the fact before alluded to, but in the addi-
tional fact that we live under n confeGera-
cy embracing the already dytwenty-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 Elec-
toral College without reference TO the deCi.
sian Df tne other States The right Of suff-
rage, aud the mode Of conducting the cleo
ton, is regulated by the laws Of each State;
and the election is distinctly tederative in
all its prominent features. Thus it is 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 disNwb-
ing, to any dangerous extent, the tram
guilty OF others.
The great experiment Of political ron.
fcderacy, each member Of which issupreme
as to all matters apprfiainng TO its local in
tcrests and its internal peace and hnpp-
ness, while by voluntary compact with
Others it confdes to the united power of
all the protection Of its citjzens in m1Hcrs
not domestic, has been 80 far crowned with
complete success. The world has witncs-
sed its rapid growth IN wealth and popula-
ton; and, under the guide and direction
OF Il experimenting Providence, the de-
velopments Of the past may he regarded
but us the shBdowing forth of the mighty
future. In the bright prospects OF that
future we shall find, as paLI0ts aAd PHI
lanthropists, 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 sentiment
and feeling from each other. A rigid and
close adherence to the terms of our political
compact, and, above all, a sacred obser
vance Of the guarantees Of the COnstiu-
ton. will preserve union on foundation
which cannot be shaken; while personal
liberty is placed beyond hazard or ieopar.
DIV. The guaranty of religions freedom, o.
the }fcedom of the press, Of the liberty o
speech, of the trial by jury, of the hnbea:
corpus, and of the domestic institutions o
each Of the States--leaving the private
citizen in tile full exercise of the high anC
ennobIing attributes Of his nature, and Il
each State the privilege which can only
he judcousy exeucd by Itself, of consult
ing the means best calculated to advance
its own happiness; these are the great anC
important guarantees of the Constitution
which the lovers Of liberty must cherish
and the advocates Of union must ever cul
tvate. Preserving these, and avoiding al
interpretations by forced construction, nm
der the guise Of an imagined expedency
upon the Constitution, the influence ofou
political system is destined to be as actively
and benefclaIly felt on the distant shore
OF the Pacific Ms is now on those OF the At
lantc ocean, The only formidable mpedi
ments IN the way Of lis successful ex pan
sion thine and spacc) are so far in the pro
gresa of modification, by the Improvement
of the age. as to render no longer specult
tive the ability Of Representatives from til,
remote region 10 come up to the Capitol, :
that their constituents 4hall participate
aI the hrneft4Of Federal legislation. Thl