Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-12-08

mer are constantly agitating for some change in
the organic law, or urging new and untried theo-
ries of human rights The latter are ever ready
Ito engage in a. wild crusade against aneighboring
d people, Regardless of the justice of the enterprise,
and without booking at the fatal consequences to
ourselves and to the cause of popular government.
i Such expeditions, however, are often stimulated
i by mercenary individuals who expectto share the
Eplundersor profit of the enterprise without expos
ling themselves to danger, and are led on by some
irresponsible foreigner, who abuses the hospitali
ty Of our own government. by sedacing the young
and ignorant to Join in his scheme of personal
ambition revenge, under the false and delusive
tpretenee of extending the area Of freedom. These
reprehensible aggressions but retard the true pro-
fgress of our nation and tarnish its fair fame
They should, therefore, receive the indignant
frowns of every good citizen who sincerely loves
his country and takes pride in its prosperity
land honor. .ss.aaszsa
= Cur constitution, though not perfect, is doubt
less the best that was ever formed. Therefore
let every proposition to change it be well weigh
Led. and if found beneficial, cautiously adopted.
Every patriot will rejoice to see its authority SO
exerted as to advance the prosperity of the Union
while he will watch with jealousy any attempt to
mutate this charter of our liberties, or pervert its
powers to acts of aggression injustice. Thus
shall conservatism and progress blend their .har-
monious action in preserving the form and spirit
OF the COnSCILuLlOn, anu at LHe same Time CdFrYt
forward the great interests of the country with a
rapidity andenergy which freemen only can dis
play.
( In closing this, my last annual communication,
permit me, fellow -ctizess to congratulate you on
the prosperous condition of our beloved country.
Abroad its relations with all foreign powers are
friendly; its rights are respected,and its high place
in the family of nations cheerfully recognized. |
At home we enjoy an amount of happiness, pub
lie and private, Whichhas probably never fallen
toathe lot of any other people. Besides affordng
to our citizens a degree of prosperity, of
which, on SO large SCALE know of no other
instance, our country is annually affbrding ref
uge and home to multitudcs, altogether without
Example, from the Old World. ss9S
We owe these blessings. under Heaven, to the
happy Constitution and Government which were
bequeathed to us by our fathers, and which it is
our sacred duty to transmit in all its integrity to
our ehildren. We must all consider it a great
distinction and privilege to have been chosen by
the people to bear a part in the administration of
psueh.a Government Called by an unexpected
dispensaton to its highest trust at Of en-
barrassment and alarm, entered upon its duties
with extreme dhdence. l claim only to have
discharged them to the best of an humble ability,
with single eye to the public good, it is with
devout gratitude, in retiring from office, that
leave the country in state of peace and prosper
ity sa=as g.s.f MILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 1852. - z /