Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1850-12-19

10Th my respect for the legislature, and my
ense Of propriety, will refrain me from any
lttempt to control or influence your pro.
seedlings; with you Is the power, the honor,
Ind The responsibility Of the legislation OF
The country. The government oi the Uni.
led States is limited government; II is
confined to the exercise Of powers express.
" granted and such Others as may be me-
cassary for carrying these powers into ell
feet, and it is at all times an especial duty
to guard against any infringement on the
lust rights Of the States. Over the objects
and subjects which belong to Congress, is
legislative authority is supreme, but here
that authority ceases, aud every citizen who
truly loves the Constitution and desires the
continuance Pitts existence and its blessings
will resoutely and firmly resist any inter-
ference with those domestic affairs which
the Con ,titution clearly and unequivocally
left to the exclusive authority Of the States,
and every such citizen will also &C ase use.
less irritation among the several members
of the Union and all reproach and crimina.
ton leading to aiienltc one section Of the
country from ano,ho:. The beauty Of our
system of government consists, and its
safety and durability must consist. in avoid
ing mutual collisions and cncroachmen,s
in the regular, separate action OF all, while
gae" is revolving on its own distinct orbit.
Inc Constitution mas made it the duty OF
me President to see that the laws be faith.
fully executed. In government like our,
Where all laws are passed bv a majority VI
INC Representatives OF the people. ah
these Representatives are chosen for sth
short periods that any injurious or obwx-
ious law can be very soon repcalc |, it isnot
likely that any great numbers shout, be
found ready To resist the execution q the
laws; bu! il must be borne in mind that the
country is extensive, that there may be 10.
cal interests or prejudices rendering law
odious in one part which is not SO IN an
other, and that the thoughtess and incon.
slderatc, mislcd by their passions or their
imaginations may be induced madly &c resis,
any law that they disapprove. Such per-
sons should bear in mind that without law
there can be no real practical liberty that
when law il irampled under foot tyranny
rules, and whether ii appears in the form
ola military desTotism, or OF popular VIC.
lence, the law is the only sure projection of
the weak and the only efficient restraint
upon the strong, when impar,aly and
faithfully administered. None are beneath
Ills protection and none above its control.
You gentlemen, and the country may be
assured that, to the best of my ability and
TO the best OF the power vested in me,
shall at all times and in all places, take care
that the laws be faithfully execute. In
the discharge of this duty solcmnly i'm.
posed upon me by the Constitution and nv
oath of oifce,l shall shlnkJr no RESPONSE
Dility and shall euueavOr 70 meet evciils as
they may arise, with firmness rs well as prl-
dence aud discretion.
The appointing power is one of the most
delicate with which the Executive is in
vested; regard il as Il sacred trust to be ex.
ercised with the sole view 1T advancing the
prosperity and happiness Of the people.
II shall be my effort to elevate the stand.
ard of Official employment, by selecting, for
places Of importance, individuals fitted FOR
the pos, to which they are assigned, by
their known integrity. talents and virtue.
In so extensive country, with so great n
population, and where few persons appoint
ed to Offices can be known to the appoint
ing power, mistakes will, sometimes, una
voidably happen, and unfortunate appoint
ments be made, notwithstanding the ut
most care. In such cases the power of re-
moral may be properly exercised, and neg
lect of duty or maiieasance in Office will no
more be tolerated in individuals appointed
by myself, than in those appointed by 9TH
ers.
am happy in being able to say that No
untavorable change in our foreign relations
has taken place since the message at the
opening OF the last session of Congress.
We are at peace with all nations, and we
enjoy, in an eminent degree, the blessings
OF that peace, in prosperous and growing
commerce, and in all forms OF radical, ma
tional intercourse. The unexampled growth
OF the country, the present amount of its
population, aud its ample means for self.
protection assure for it the respect of all
nations; while i. Is trusted that its character
for justice, aud regard for the rights of
otherStates will cause that respect to be
readily and cheerful paid.
A convention was negotiated between the
U. States and Great Britain in April last, for ia.
oilits:ing and protecting the construction o. a
ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific o.
cssns, and for other purposes. This instru-
ment has since been ratified by the contracting
parties. The exchange Of notifications has beef,
effected, and pro. lsrnation thereof ha. been du
ly made. In addition to the stipulasions contain
cd in this convention, two other objects remain
TO be accomplished between the contracting
powers. Fnst-ihs designation and establish
msnt of Tree port At each end Of the CANAL
Second-sn agreement fixing the distance from
the shore within which bellgerant maritime Old
'.srssions shall not DO carried on. On ,hes,
points there 10 little doubt that tho t,vo ro,,.,