The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-12-11

you with my reasons for your further con
sideration. Beyond the duty Of perform
ance Of these constitutional obligations, bo,t
my respect for the legislature and my sense
Of pro2riety, will restrain me from any al
tempt to control or influence your proceed
ings. With you is the power, tho homo,
aud the responsibility Of the legislation 81
the country. The Government Of the u
States is a limited Government; it is con
fined TO the exercise Of powers expressly
granted, and such others as may be noces
sary for carrying those powers into effect;
and u is at all times an especial duty te
guard against any Infringement on the just
rights Of the States over the objects and
subjects Of Congress. Its legislative au.
thority is supreme, but here that authority
ceases, and every citizen who truly loves
the constitution and desires the cont nu-
ance Of its existence and it's blessings, will
resolutcly and jointly resist any interfer-
ence in those domestic affairs which the
Constitution has clearly and unequivocally
left to the exclusive authority Of the States,
and every such citizen will also deprecate
useless irritations among the several men,
bers Of the Union, and all reproach and
elimination tending TO ALLEVIATE one portion
Of the country from another. The beauty
Of our system Of government consists, and
its safety and durability must consist in
avoiding mutual collisions and encroach-
ments, and in the regular, separate action
Of all, while each is revolving in its own
distinct orbit.
The Constitution has made it the duty
Of tie President to take care that the laws
be faithfully executed. In Government
like ours, in which all laws are passed BY
majority Of the representatives. Of the peo-
pie, and those representatives are chosen
for such short periods, that any injurious or
obnoxious law can very soon be repealed,
il would appear unlikely that any very
great number should be found ready to re-
sist tho execution Of the law; bat il mus,
be borne in mind that in country thus ex.
tensive, there may be loca interests or pre-
judlces rendering law odious in one part,
which is not SO in another; and that the
.hough,less and inconsderate, misled by
their passions or their imaginations, may
be induced mad!y to resist such laws as
they disapprove. Such persons should rec
olect that without law there can be no real
practical liberty, that when law is trampled
under foot, tyranny rules, whether il ap-
pear in the form Of military despoiism or
OF popular violence. The law is the only
sure protection 10 the weak, and the only
efficient restraint to the strong. When inn
partially and faithfully administered, none
are beneath its protection aud nuae above
its control. You, gentlemen, and the coun-
try may be assured that to the most Of my
ability and the extent Of the powers vested
in me, shalt at all times and in all places,
take care that the laws be faithfully execu-
ted IN the discharge Of this duty, solemn
~ imposed on me by the Constitution and
my oath Of Office, shall shrink from no
responsibility, and shall endeavor to meet
events as they may arise with frmncss as
we'll as with prudence and discretion.
The appointing power is one oflhe most
important with which the Executive is in
vested. lrcgard it as sacred trus, to be
exercised with the sole view OF advancing
the prosperity and happiness Of the people.
II shall be my effort to elevate the standard
Of official appointments by selecting for pla-
ces Of Importance, individuals fitted for the
posts TO which they are assigned, by their
known integrity, talents and virtue. 10
so extensive country, With 80 great a pop
ulation, and where persons appointed 10
office cannot be known TO the appointing
power, mistakes will sometimes unavoid-
ably happen, and unfortunate appointments
be made, notwithstanding the creates, care.
Ia such cases, the power of remova al may be
properly exercised, and neglect of duty or
malfeisanco in office will no more be toer-
ate in individuals appointed by myself, than
10 those appointed by others.
am happy in being able to say that no
unfavorable changein our foreign relations
has taken place since the message a. the a.
pening OF the last session Of Congress. We
are at peace with all nations, and we enjoy
in an eminent degree the blessing Of that
peace, in prosperous, growing commerce
and 10 all the forms Of amicablo national in
tercourse. The unexampled growth Of the
country, the present amount Of its popuia-
,ion end it's ample means Of self-protection,
assume for il the respec. ofall nations; and
while it 10 trusted tina. It's character for JUS
tice, and regard to tho rights Of other
States will cause that respect to be readily
and cheerfully extended.
A convention was negotiated between
the United States and Great Britain in A.
priI last, for facilitating the construction Of
a ship canal between the Atlantic and Pa
cific oceans, and for other purposes. This
instrument has since been ratified BY the
contracting parties. The exchange Of rat
itications has been effected, and nproclama-
ton thereof has been duly made. Ia accor-
dance with the stipulation contninedn this
convention two other objects remain to be
accomplished between the contracting pow
ers. First, The designation and establish
c.cc ,oct naCh nnd nj thp n n