Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-03-14

ed powers, and by abstanng from the exercise of
doubtful or unauthorized implied powers, that we
have the only sure guaranty against the recurrence
of those unfortunate collisions between the federal
and State authorities, which have occasionally so
much disturbed the harmony of our system, and
even threatened the perpetuity of OR gorions I'm.
ion.
"To the States respectively, or to the people,"
have been reserved the powers not delegated to
the United States by the Constitution, nor prohib-
tied by it to the States" Each State is complete
sovereignty within the sphere of lis reserved pow.
ers. The government of the Union acting within
the sphere of its delegated authority is also COM
plcte sovereignty. While the federal government
should abstain from the exercise of authority not
clearly delegated to it, the States should be equal
ly careful that in the maintenance Of their rights
they do not overstep the limits of powers reserved
to them One of the most distinguished of my
predecessors attached deserved importance to the
support of State governments in all their rights,
the most competent administration for our domestic
concerns, and the surcst bulwark against anti-re-
publican tendencies !" and to the preservation OF
the general government in its whole, constitutional
vigor, the sheet anchor Of our peace at homo,
and safety abroad"
To the government of the United States has been
entrusted the exclusive management OF our foreign
affairs. Beyond that it yields a lew general emu
merated powers it does not force reform on the
States. 1t leaves individuals over whom 1t casts It's
protecting influence, entirely free to improve their
own condition by the legt mate exercise OF all their
mental and physical powers It's common protec
tor of each and all the States Of every man who
lives upon our soil, whether of native or of foreign
birth; of every religious Sect in their worship oithe
Almighty according to the dictates of their own
conscience; every shade ofopinion, and the most
free inquiry of every art, trade and occupation,
consistent with tho laws of the States. And we re-
oice in the general happiness, prosperity and adj
yancement of our country, which have been the OIL
spring Of freedom and not Of power.
This most admirable and wsest system Of we'll
regulated sef-governmcnt among men, ever devils
ed by human minds, has been tested by its success
full operation for more than half a century, and if
preserved from the usurpations ofthe federal gov
eminent on the one hand, and the exercise BY the
States of powers not reserved on the other will,
fervently hope and believe endure for ages to come,
and dispense the blessings of civil and religious
liberty to distant generations. To effect bects so
dear to every patriot shall devote yself with anX
ous solictude. 1t will be my desire TO guard against
that most fruitful source Of danger to the harmoni-
action of our system, which consists IN substltu
ting the mere discretion and caprice of the eXecu
tive, of majorites in the legislative department of
the government, for powers which have been with
held from the federal government by the constitu
ton By the theory of our government, majoritos
rule, but this is not an arbitrary or unlimited one.
1t is right be exercised in subordlnaton to the
constitution and in conformity TO it. One great OBJ
ject of the Constitution was to restrain majories
from expressing mlnorltlcs, or encroachlng upon
their just rights. Minorties have right to appeal
to the Constitution, as shield against such oppres-
sion.
The blessings of liberty which our constitution
secures may be enjoyed alike by minorites and ma
jorllies, the Executive having been wisely invest
ed with qualified veto upon the acts ofthe Legis.
lature Itisa negative power, and is conservative
in its character 1t arrests for the time hasty, in
considerate, or unconstitutional legislation; in
vites reconsideration, and transfers questions at is
sue between the legislative and executive depart
ments to the tribunal of the people Lake all other
powers, it is subject to be abused. When judicous-
~ and properly exercised, the constitution tselfinay
be saved from infrac.ion, and the lights of all pre-
served and protected.
The inestmable value of our federal Union is
felt and acknowledged by all. By this system of
united and confcderated States, people arc per-
mtted, collectively and Individually, TO seek their
own happiness in their own way and the conse-
quences have been most suspicious. Since the
Union formed, the number of the States has
increased from thirteen to twenty-eight; two Of
these have taken their position as members of the
confederacy within the last week. Our population
has increased from three to twenty millions. New
communities and States seeking protection I'M
der its ggis and multtudes from the old world are
hocking to our shores to participate in its bles-
sings Beneath its benign sway, peace and pros
perty prevail. Freed from the burdens and mise
ries of war, our trade and intercourse have extend
ed throughout the world. Mind, no longer taskod
in devising means to accomplish or resist schemes
of ambition, usurpaton or conquest, is devotlng it.
self to mans true interests IN developing his fac
ulties and powers, and the capacity of nature to
minister to his enjoyments. Genius is free to an
nounce its inventions and discoveries; and the
hand is free to accomplish whatever the head con-
snfn fol
being. All distinctions of birth of rank have
been abolished. ALI citizens, whether native or
adopted, are placed upon terms OF precise equality
All are entitled to equal rights and protection
No union exists between church and state, and
perfect freedom OF opinion is guaranteed to all sects
and creeds.
These are some of the blessings secured to our
happy land by our federal Union TO perpetuate
them, it is our slcred duty to preserve it. Who
shall assign limits to the achievements of free minds
and free hands, under the protection of this glor-
Gus Union? No treason to mankind, since the Or
ganZation of society would be equal in atrocity to
that of HIM who would lift his hand to destroy IT.
He would overthrow the nobest structure OF hui
man WISDOM which protects himself and his fellow
man. He would stop the progress of free govern
ment, and involve his country either in anarchy or
despotlsm. He would eXtinguish the fire of lber.
ty which warns and anmates the hearts of happy
millions and invites all the nations Of the earth to
Initiate our example. ii he say that error and
wrong are committed in the administration of the
government, let him remember tina. nothing human
can be- perfect; and that under no other system of
government revealed by heaven, or devised by man.
has reason been allowed so free and broad n scope
to combat error. Has the sword of despots proved
to be a safer or surer instrument of reform IN gov
eminent than enlightened reason? Does he expect
to find among the ruins of this Union happier
abode for the swarmng millions than they now
have under it.: Every lover Of his country must
shudder at the thought of the possibility Of its dis
solution, and will be ready to adopt the patriotic
sentiment, sour federal Unon-it must be pre-
se,yed." TO preserve it, the compromises which
alone enabled our fathers to form a common con-
stitution for the government and protection OF SO
many States and distinct communities, of such d.
versfed habits, interests, and domestic Institutions
must be sacredly and religiously observed, Any
attempt TO disturb or destroy these compromises
being terms of the compact Of Union, can lead to
none other tan the most runous and disastrous