Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-12-27

seems probable that no demand on the treasury
would result from the proposed reduction of pos
tage. Whether any further dminuton should
now be made, or the result of the reduction of
five cents, which have recommended, should
be first tested, is submitted TO your decision.
Since the commencement of the last session
of Congress, a Postal treaty with Great Britain
has been received and ratified, and such regula-
tions have been formed by the Post Office De-
partments of the two countries in pursuance OF
that treaty, as to carry its provisions into full op-
GRAFTON. The attempt to extend this same ar
rangement, through England, to France, has not
been equally seccessful but the purpose has
not been abandoned.
For particular statement of the condition
of the Post Office Department, and other mat
tiers connected with that branch ofthe public
service, refer you TO the report OF the Post
master General.
By the act Of the 2d of March, lS49,
Board was constituted to make arrangements
tor taking the seventh census, composed of
the Secretary ofStatc, the Attorney General,
and the Postmaster General; and it was
made the duly of this Board ''to prepare and
cause to be printed such forms and schedules
as might be necessary for the full enumera.
tion of the inhabitants ofthe United States
and also proper forms and schedules for col.
lecting in statistical tables, under proper
heads, such information as to miues, agrcul-
ture, commerce, manufactures, education, land
other topics, as would exhibit a full view Of
the pursuits, industry, education, and rssour-
ces of the country" The duties enjoined up.
on the Census Board, thus established, having
been performed, it now rests with Congress
TO enact law for carrying into effect the pro-
vision of The Constitution which requires an
actual enumeration of the people of the Uni.
ted States within the ensuing yea.
Among the duties assigned by the Consti-
tuition to the General Government is one of
local and limited application, but not, on that
account, the less obligatory alIude to the
trust committed TO Congress, as the exclusive
legislator and sole guardian of the interests of
the District of Columbia. | beg to commend
these interests to your kind attention. AS
the National metropolis, the city Of Washing
Ton must be an object of general interest and
founded as it was under the auspices Of him
whose immortal name it bears, its claims TO
the fostering care Of Congress present them.
selves with additional strength. Whatever
can contribute TO lis prosperity mnst enlist
the feelings Of its Constitutional guardians,
and command their favorable consideration.
Dur Government is one of limited pow.
ers, and its successful administration eminent
" depends on the confinement of each of its
coordinate branches within its own appropri-
ate sphere. The first section Of the Consti-
tuition ordains that s'al Legislative powers
therein granted shall be vested in a Congress
the United States, which shall consist OF a
op1 uo,,eo Of rTho
Executive has authority to recommend mot
TO dictate) measures to Congress. Having
performed that duty, the Executive Depart
nent OF the Government cannot rightfully
control the decision ofCsngress on any subject
oflegslation, until that decision shall have been
officially submitted to the President for appro-
val. The check provided by the Constitution, in
the clause conferring the qualified veto, o,wili ne
yer be exercised by me, except in the cases
contemplated by the fathers ofthe Republic.
view il is an extreme measure, to be resorted
% only in extraordinary cases-as where it
may become necessary TO defend the Execu-
live against the eencroachments Of the legisla-
tive power, or to prevent hasty and inconsid-
crate Or unconstitutional legislation. By cau-
tiously conhning this remedy within the
sphere prescribed TO il in the contemporaries
Gus expositions of the trainers Of The Consti-
tuition, the will of the people, legitimately ex.
pressed on all subjects of legislation, through
their constitutional organs. the Senators and
Representatives Of the United States, will
have its full effect As indispensable to the
preservation ofour system of self government,
the independence of the Representatives, of
the United States and the peoples guaranteed
by the Constitution ; and they owe no respon-
sibility TO any human power but their constt-
uents. BY holding the Representative res
ponsible only to the people, and exemptng
him from all other influences, we elevate the
charactar ofthe constituent and quicken his
sense of responsibility TO his country. 1t is
under these circumstances only that the elec-
tor can feel that, in the choice of the law-ma-
ker, he is himself, truly component part of
the sovereign power of the nation. With equal
care we should study to defend the rights Of
the executive and judicial departments. Our
Government can only be preserved in its pur-
Ity by the suppression and entire elimination
OF every claim or tendency of one co-ordi-
nate bra3ch to encroachment upon another.
With the strict observance of this rule and
the other injunctlons Of the Constitution
with sedulous inculcation Of that respect
and love for the Union of the United States,
which our fathers cherished and enioined up
on their children, and with the aid OF that O.
verruliug Providence which has SO long and