The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-12-13

and responsible trust for the benefit OF our
common constituents.
My opinions will be frankly expressed
upon the lending subjects OF Legislation;
and if. which do not anticipate. any nc'
should appear to me unconstitutional. or an
cncroachmcnt on the just power of other de-
par'mcn,~, or with provisions hastily adop.
ted, nrd likely to produce consequences IN
furious pnG unforeseen, | should not shrink
from the duty of returning it TO you, with
my reasons. for your further consideration.
Beyond the due performance OF these con
s'i,uinnal obligations, both my respect :"r
the Legislature and my serse of propr'ety
will reslrni1 mo from any attempt to con
troll or Influence your proceedings. with
you is the power, the honor. and the res
possibility of The Legislation Of the country.
The Government Of the United S'a'cs Is
n limited Government. II is confined to the
exercise Of powers expressly granted and
such Others nS may be necessary Tor car
rying those powers into effect; and II IS al
all times an especial duty to guard against
any infringement on the just rights of the
States. Over the objects md subjects in
trusted to Congress, Its legislative author-
i'y is supreme. But here that authority
ceases. and every citizen who truly loves
the constitution and desires the continuance
Of Is srxisence and ITS blessings viii re-
so'ntely und firmly resist any interference IN
those dpmesric aifairs, which the constl'n"
ton has clearly AID uncqnivoca'y left to he
rxrluSiv authority Of the States. And every
sn II cI,rzcn will also Gcpreca'a useless IT.
ritaiIon umnng the sevrra menh RS OF the
Union. and all rcprnach ana crimlnatl"h
tending 10 nlifnn'e une portion OF the couh'
rrv frrn another. The 5cautv OF our sys-
tom Of Government consists, and IT'S sn'e'
~ and durability must consist in avoiding
mutual collisions, ana cncronchments, and
in III, rern!ar separate nc'on nf all. while
each is rcvOivlug in It's own distinct ofo''.
Tho constitution has made 1t the dn'y OF
the President to take care that the laws be
faithfully executed. 10 n government like
ours, in winch all Inv ore passed BY ma
joriiy % The representatives ot the people,
and these rnprescn,aiivrs are chosen Tor
such short periods, that my injurious or OBJ
noXlous law can very soon be repealed IL
wou appear unlikely that amy great num-
hcrS should be found ready u resist IN"
ryrcution If the laws. But 1t must he
borne ii mind that the country is cxt'n'
sivr, ttat there may be local interests or
rrciur;rrs rendering a law oIions iIone
Dart. winch is not 80 IN another, and that
Tho ,horsh'lrss md inconsideratc, mislrd
by tie,- passions, or their lmaginalions'
NAV BE- induccd mndly to resist such laws
us .hcv d,sapprovc. Such persons should
rcco!lrct that, wirhout law, there can Re no
real practiaa; liberty; that. when a." IS
,ramped under foot, tyranny rules, whether
il nppcars IN the form of n military dcspo-
,sm or Of popular virIcnce. The law is
the only sure protection Of the weak, and
the on " eiiirian' restraint upon the strong.
When lnrsttaly administered, none is
;cnca'h i's protection and none above lis
control. You. gentlemen, and tho country
NAV be assured. that to The utmost of my
ability, and to Tie extent OF the power vcs-
ted in me-, shall Il, oil times and in oil pla-
ces. take cnrc that the laws be faithfully
exccu,cd. IN the discharge of this duty. so
lcmnly imposed upon the by The constl,u-
ton. and by my oath Of office, shall shrInk
from no responsibility, and shall cndea"or
to meet events as they n ay arise, with firm
ness, os well as with prudence and discre-
tiun.
The appointing power is one Of the M st
delicate with which the Executive is invest
cd ruord !. rs n sacred trust, to be ex.
etci.ed with tho sole view of advancing the
prosperity end happiness OF the people. l,
Shall be my effort to e eovaie tho s,ahdaro o'
official em mploymen', by Sc ect'ng tor places
of impor,ance individuals fitted for The posts
to which they are assigned. by their known
INTEGRITY, talents, nnd virtues. In SO eX'
,ensive a country. with so great p"pula-
ton. and wnere few persons appointed TO
office can be known to the appointing pow>
er, mistakes will sometimes unavoidably
hnppen, and unfortunate appointments be
made notwithstanding The greatest care. In
such cases The power of removal may be
properly exercised; and neglect Of duty or
ma lien sance in office will be no more tolera-
ted IN individuals appointed by myself than
in those appointed by others.
lam happy in being ube to say that no
uufuvorable change in our foreign relations
has taken place SINCE the message at The
opening of the last session of Congress-
We n rr at peace with all nations, and we
enjoy in an eminent degree the blessings OF
that peace, in a prosperous and growing
commerce, and in all the forms of nmicable
national intercourse. The uncxampled
Growth of the country, the present nmoun,
of its population, md its ample means OF
self. protection, assure for il the respect OF
nil nations; while it is trusted that its char
ac,er for Justice. and regard to the rights
of other States, will cause that respect to be
readily and cheerfully paid.
A convention was negotiated between The
United States and Great Britain in April
last, for facilitating and protecting the con-
s,ruc,ion of ship canal between the Atlan'
tic and Pacific Oceans, and for other purpo'
ses. This instrument has been ratified by
the contracting parties, the exchange has
been effected, and proclamation thereof has
been daily made. =,
In addition to the stipulations contained
in This convention, two other objects rev
main to be accomplished between the con-
tracing powers. ,,r-,,
First, the designation and establishment
of free port at each end OF the canal.
Second, an agreement fixing the distance
from the shore within which The oiligeren,
marat,me opera,ions shall not be carried
on. On these points there is but little douo'
that the two governments will come 10 an
understanding.
f L. Int a