The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-03-13
he say that error

wrong are COmfnllleQ I'D the dutnlnlStra-l
lion of the government, lei him remember
hat nothing human can be perfect; and that
under no other system of government reveal
ed by Heaven, or devised by man. has rea-
been allowed so free and broad a scope
combat error. Has the sword of despots
proved 10 be a safer or surer instrument of
in government than enlightened rea-
son?
Does he expect 10 find among the ruins of
this Union a happier abode for our swarming
than they now have underi it? Ev-
cry lover of bis country must shudder al the
thought OF the possibility of its dissolution,
and will be ready to adopt the patriotic sen
timent: sOur Federal Union-it must be
preserved TO preserve it, the comprom-
Uses which alone enabled our fathers TO form
a common constitution for the government
and protection ofso many States and distinct
communities, of such diversified habits, in
terests, and domestic institutions, must be
sacredly and religiously observed. ANY at
tempt to disturb or destroy these compromis-
es, being terms OF the compact of Union,
can lead to none other than the most ruin
Gus and disastrous consequences.
1t is source Of deep regret that, in some
sections of our country, misguided persons
have occasionally INDUCED in schemes and
agita,ions, whose object is the destruction of
domestic institutions, existing in other sec
tions-ins,itutions which existed at the adop-
ton of the Constitution, and were recognized
and protected by it. All must see that if it
were possible for them is be successful in
attaining their object, the dissolution of the
Union, and the consequent destruction oiour
happy form of government, must speedily
follow.
am happy 10 believe that at every period
of our existence as a nation, there has exist
ed, and continues TO exist, among the great
mass of our people, a devotion to the Union
of the States, which will shield and proieci
it against the moral treason of any who
would seriously contemplate its destruction.
To secure a continuance of that devotion,
the compromises of the Constitution must
not only be preserved, but sectional jealous
les and heartburnings must be discountenan-
eed; and all should remember that they are
members of the same political family, having
a common destiny. To increase the attach
ment of our people to the Union, our laws
should be just. Any policy which shall tend
TO favor monopolies, or The peculiar inter
ests of sections or classes, must operate &c
the prejudice of the interests of their fellow
citizens, and should be avoided. If the com
promise of the Constitution be preserved
if sectional jealousies and heartburnings be
discountenanced-if our laws be Just anC
the Government be practically administer
ed strictly within the limits of power pre-
scribcd by tive may discard all appre
tensions foi the safety of the Union.
With these views of the nature, characte
and objects of the Government, and the val
ne of the Union, | shall steadily oppose tht
creation of those Institutions and systems
which, in their nature, tend TO pervert j
from IFS legitimate purpose, and make it the
instrument of sections, classes and indlvid
uals. We need no national bank, or othel
extraneous institutions, planted round thu
Government TO control or strengthen it il
| opposition to the will of its authors. Expe
%rience has taught US how unnecessary thel
are as auxiliaries of the public authorities
how impotent for good, and how powerful
| for mischief.
Ours was intended 10 be a plain and fruga
Government; and | shall regard it TO be m
duty to recommend 10 Congress, and, as ia
as the Executive is concerned, 10 enforc
by all the means within my power, the strict
5 est economy in the expenditure of the pull
lie money, which may be compatible wit
the public interests.
A national debt has become almost an in
%stitution Of European monarchies. 1t
viewed in some of them as an essential pro
/ to existing Governments. Melancholy
the condition of that people whose Govern
: ment can be sustained only by a systeI
s which periodically transfers large amount
from the labor of the many to the Golfers
i the few. Such a system is incompatible
n with the ends for which our republican GOV
e eminent was Instituted. Under a wise pc
S icy the debts contracted in our Revolutio
: and during the war of 1912 have been haF
o PLY extinguished. BY a judicious applicf
/ ton of the revenues, not required for oiht
necessary purposes, it is not doubted III;
o the debt which has grown out of the circun
d stances of the last few years may be sper
), Oily paid of.
congratulate my fellow citizens on Ii
entire restoration of the credit of the GeI
q eral Government of the Union, and shat
many of the States. Happy would it be ft
the indebted States were they freed froI
l. their liabilities, many of which were incaI
70 tiously contracted. Although the Cover
ment of the Union is neither in a legal NJ
10 a moral sense bound for the debts of Il
IL States, and il would be a violation of o.
re compact Of Union TO assume them, yet v
'e cannot but feel a deep interest in seeing /;
the States meet their public liabilities, ar
Ell pay off theirjust debts at the earliest pra
tn ticable period. That thew will do so.
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