Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-29
ADDRESS.


The present aspect of our Federal relations and the
threatening attitude of certain of sister States il
regard to them, will excuse US, trust for presenting
to your serious contemplation facts and some con
sderstons which, we think, deeply coHcern our safety
nation and our happiness a Stale.
Under the irresistible influences OF the spirit OF Lber
y and the genial protection OF wise institutions, hr
teen separate British colonies along the mere Atlantic
border peopled by less than three millions of nhabi
tants, have, within but little more than half century
risen into hiry-one United American States, stretching
broadly across 10 the great Pacific itself, and number
ing for their population more than twenty-three mil
lions oil souls.
Unenthraed, independent, self governed free to the
utmost measure OF freedom; commanding peace our
own continent and abroad deriving from it prosperity
unexamped in the entire history of the world, the
rammeed energies OF our people, physical and inellec-
ual left large to their boundless developments
we have attained position among the nations OF the
earth, which, whilst it has made our country refuge
for the oppressed OF every cline, has al once excited
the fear and the respect the jealousy and the hope the
envy the admiration and the wonder OF the rest OF man
kind.
1t is to the patriotism of our fathers in riveting ou
original ties OF brotherhood by the still closer anc
stronger links OF government in common and 10 the
skiltu and wise distribution OF Federal and of State
authorities, that owe under Providence these match
less blessings. These amply justify lis, then, in regard
ing the continuation of the Union primary object
patriotic DESIRE" and in claiming already solved the
doubt whether common government could embrace
so large sphere"
Not less dear than the patriots who achieved
independence should be "the unity Of governme Mt
which constitutes us one people," In the language oil
the Farewell Address OF him who merits to be called
the Father OF Country, should regard that unity
81 main pillar OF our real indedendence the support
ofour tranquility at home, peace abroad, Of our
safety, OF our prosperity; OF the very Liberty which
we SO highly prize" Hearkeniug to this solemn and
venerable advice should cherish "a cordial, habit
ual and mmovable attachment TO it, and earnestly de-
sire to every one think and speak of as the pal
ladum our political safety and prosperity; watch for
may suggest even suspicion that it can in any
event be abandoned; and indignantly trown upon the
first dawnng ofeyey attemptto ALLEVIATE any portion of
country from The rest or eneebe the sacred ties that
link together the various parts"
To the efficiency and permanency OF the Union, the
Federal Government is indispensable, and this sprang
only from compromise and mutual concession be-
tween diverse interests it only, all know be sue.
cessuly administered, by our conserving 10 act
in the conciatory spirit which originally gave il
BIRTH Eut, besides a proper respect for its authority
and acquiescence in ts duties required by
the planeS considerations OF NATIONAL OF State and OF
individual welfare.
That, then, the constitution may be preserved unim.
paired would resist all innovation upon its prjnci-
Piles; and discsdng as to lis grants OF power TO the
several departments. the lattudlnous we'll the mar
rule OF construction, we would in all cases. deter
mine its meaning according to the best judgments,
fairly condemning without reserve all powe rs that
withheld, and unfolding with iirmness such as are
granted, ever mindful that in expoundng the great
charter we should not overlook the defects the deor
mites and the omnous prospects" for which its franz
ers were to provide remedy.
Without desgningto convert thiy address into a
general declaration oil poliica faith to trespass far
n o the field OF current politics we think the in1nor
lance OF the Tariff and Internal Improveme questions
such demands OF us bret notice. Subject to few
obvious limitations, it be longs exclusively to the sever
al States 10 regulate at pleasure, their domestic nsu-
ons whilst TO the Federal authority are equally con.
ded those larger and more national which con-
cernthe mutual relations OF the States tn emseves and
deemed necessary to be exercised by that auhor
ty 10 order 10 the common safety and prosperity In a
country wide spread as ours embracing 40 many d.
versed interests, there must be couirariey of opnion
upon measures, VIII eh, designed to establish policy
calculated to affect the industrial pursuits and domes
tic economy OF communities as well as of individuals
operate OF necessity tor that very reason, unequay-
A system OF leg Station tor such purpose, III order to
be perfectly equal and Just in its effects would require
wisdom OF design and power OF combina alton tar
exceeding what is granted to mortal man; dscarding
therefore, as Utopian and visionary, any expectation of
such impossible perfection laws aud aiming on
ly at what Is atainabe, we should remain satisfied
with measures h IN their general result accomplish
Inc epo IN Vlew and TO promote, upon the whole, high
social and individual benefits even though in particular
instances, they may operate nluriousy.
Under the influence OF these considerations how
ever mucn We inlght oppose, as 10 Tariff to
an excessive rate OF duties, to Internal Improve
ments a lavish system oil appropriations, we NAV be
well content by aJudcious arrangement of duties unon
foreign merchandise such necessary for an econ.
omlca administration oil the government to encourage
our domestic manufactures, and TO provide in time of
peace, such improvements OF our harbors, and lake
aod principal rivers as may be necessary consol-
date strength within and to secure our safety
without With the protection OF such Tariff and the
construction OF such works. there be little reason
10 apprehend any considerable dissatisfaction. For il
Is only when excessive duties are imposed and when
appropriations are heedlessy pushed TO works OF minor