The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1850-01-01


diminution should row be made, or the result
Of the reduction to five cents, which have
recommended, should be first tested, is sub
mitted to your decision.
Since the commencement of the last ses-
sion of Congress, postal treaty with Great
Britain has been received and ratified, and
such regulations have been formed by the
Post Office Departments Of the two countries,
in pursuance of that treaty, as TO carry its
provisions into fall operation. The attempt
TO extend this same arrangement, through
England, TO France, has not been equally
successful but the purpose has not been a.
bandoned.
For particular statement of the condi-
ton Of the Post Office Department, and 9TH
er matters connected with that branch of the
public service, refer you to the report of
the Postmaster General.
BY the &C. of the Sd of March. ls49. a
Board was constituted to make arrangements
for taking the seventh census, composed of
the Secretary of State, the Attorney Gen.
eral, and the Postmaster General and it
was made the duty of the Board " to pre-
pare and cause to be printed such forms
ard schedules as might be necessary for the
full enumeration of the inhabitants Of the,
United States; and also proper forms aud
schedules for collecting in statistical tal11
under proper heads, such information -
mines, agriculture, commerce, manufactures
education and other topics, as would exhibit'
full view of the pursuits, industry, educa-
ton, and resources Of the country" The
duties enjoined upon the Census Board, thus
established, having been performed, it now
rests with Congress TO enact law for carry
ing into effect the provision of the Constitu-
ton which requires an actual enumeration
of the people Of the United States within
the ensuing year.
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; l allude to the
trust committed to Congress, as the exclu-
sIve legislature and sole guardian of the in
teres of the District of Columbia. beg
to commend these interests 10 your kind at
tention. As the National metropolis, the CT
ty OF Washington must be an object of gen.
eral interest; and, founded as it was under
the auspices of him whose immortal name it
bears, its claims to the fostering care of Con-
gress present themselves with additional
strength. Whatever can contribute to its
prosperity must enlist the feelings of Its Con-
titutional guardians, and command their ia
vOrable consideration.
Our Government is one of limited powers,
and its successful administration eminenty
depends on the confinement of each of its
coordinate branches within its own appropIi-
ate sphere. The first section of the consti-
tuition ordains that all legislative powers
therein granted shall be vested in Congress
Of the United States, which shall consist of
a Senate and House of Representatives
The executive has authority TO recommend
mot to dictate) measures TO Congress. Hav-
ing performed that duty. thu executive de-
partment Of the government cannot rightful-
ly control the decision of Congress OIL any
subject Of legislation, until that decision
shall have been officially submitted to the
President for approval.
The check provided by the constitution,
In the clause comforting the qualified veto,
will never be exercised by me except in the
cases contemplated by the fathers of the Re-
public. Il view it as an extreme measure, to
be resorted to only in extraordinary cases
as where it may become necessary to defend
the executive against the encroachments of
WV pO"ci VI W DiChChh hhsNN tAilu
ineonsiderate or unconstitutional legislation.
BY cautiously combining this remedy within
the sphere prescribed to it in the cotempora-
neous exposition Of the trainers of the con-
the will of the people, legitimately
expressed on all subjects Of legislation,
through their constitutional organs, the sena-
tors and representatives Of the United States,
will have its full effect. As indispensable to
the preservation OF our system of self govern
ment, the independence Of the representa-
tives of the states and The people is guaran-
tied by the constitution and they owe no re-
sponsibility TO any human power but their
constituents.
BY holding the representative responsible
only to the people and exempting him from
all other influences, we elevate the character
of the constituent and quicken his sense Of
responsibility TO his country. It'll under these
circumstances only that the elector can feel
that, in the choice of the law-maker, he is,
himself, truly, component part Of the So
vereign 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 pu-
rity by the suppression and entire elimina-
ton of every claim or tendency of one CO.
ordinate branch to encroachmnet upon an
other
With the strict observance of this rule and
the other injunctions of the Constitution
with sedulous incubation of that respect
and love for the Union of the States, which
our fathers cherished and enioined upon their
children, and with the aid OF that overruling
Providence which has so long and so kindly
guarded our liberties and institutions, we
NAV reaso nably expect to transmit them with
their innumerable blessings to the remotest
posterity.
But attachment to the Union of the States
should be habtually fostered in every A
merican heart. For more than half GEN.
fury, during which kingdoms and empires
have fallen, this Union has stood mistaken.
The patriots who formed it have long since
descended to the grave yet still it remains,
the proudest monument TO their memory,
snd the object of sffection and admiration
with every one worthy TO bear the American
name. In my Judgment, its dissolution would
be the greatest of calamities, and to avert
that should be the study of every American.
Upon its preservation must depend our own
happiness and that of countless generations
to come. Whatever dangers may threaten
it, shall stand by it and maintain it in its
integrity, to the full extent Of the obligations
imposed, and the power conferred upon me
by the Constitution.
u. TAYLOR.
Washington, Dec. 4th, 1S49.
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6The Iron Workers Convention al
Albany, on Wednesday last, comprised del