Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-12-16


life This is in part owing TO our peculiar
,osifJon. to our fertile soil, and comparative
r. snsrse population but much OF It Is also
owing to the popular institutions under which
Ne live. to the freedom which every man feels
to engage in any useful pursuit. according TO
his taste or inclination, and to the entire con-
fdence that his person and property will be
protected by the laws.
But whatever may be the cause Of this I'M
paralleleG growth in population, intelligence,
and wealth. one thing Is clear, that the Gov
eminent must keep pace with the progress OF
the people. 1t must participate in their spir-
il Of enterprise, and while it eXactS obedience
10 the laws, and restraints all unauthorized In
vasions of the rights of neighborIng States, 1t
should foster and protect home Industry, and
lend its powerful strength to the improvement
of such means Of intercOmmunlcatIon as are
necessary to promote our internal commerce
and strengthen the ties which bind US togeth-
er as people.
II is not strange, however much II may be
regretted. that such an exuberance of enter
prise should cause some individuals to mis-
take change for progress, and the invasion of
the rights of others for national prowess and
glory. The former are constantly agItating
for some change in the organic law, or urging
new and untried theories Of human rights
The latter are ever ready to engage In any
wild crusade against a neIghbOring people,
regardless Of the justice of the enterprise, and
without looking IT the fatal consequences 10
ourselves and to the cause Of popular govern
Eaent-
Such expeditions, however, are often slim
ulated by merceaary individuals, who expect
to share the plumber or profit of the enterprise
without exposing themselves to danger, and
1a4 m nv ErrasnonEIhle fprpfTuaT
who abuses the hospitality Of our own Govern
ment by seducing the young and ignorant to
Join In his scheme of personal ambition or re-
venge, under the false and delusive pretence
of extending the area Of freedom. These re-
prehensIble aggressions but retard the true
progress 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 It's pros
perity and honor.
Our Constitution, though not perfect, is
doubtless the best that ever was formed
Therefore let every proposition to change 1t be
well weighed, and If found beneficial, eau
tiousIy adopted. Every patriot will rejoice
10 see its authority so eXerted Us TO advance
the pros erity aud honor Of the nation, whilst
he will watch with jealousy any attempt to
mutllate this charter Of our liberties, or pervert
its powers to acts of aggression or injustice.
their harmonious action in preserving the form
aud spirit of the Constitution, and at the same
time carry forward the great improvements of
the country with a rapIdIty and energy which
freedom only can display.
In closing this, my last annual cOmmuni-
cation, permit me, fellow-citizens, to congrat-
ulate 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 recognised. At home we
enjoy amount of happiness, public and prI-
vaie, which has probably never fallen TO the
lot Of any other people. Besides aitordlng to
our own citizens a degree of prosperity, Of
which on so large a scale | know of no other
instance, our country Is annually afOrdlng a
refuge and a home TO multitudes. altogether
without example, from the Old World.
We owe these blessings, under Heaven, to
the happy Constitution and Government
which were beIueathed 10 Us by our fathers,
and which 1t is our sacred duty to transmit In
all their integrity TO our children. We must
all consider II d great distinction and privi-
ledge to have been chosen by the people 10
bear part in the administration of such a
Government. Called BY an unexpected dis
pensatlon 10 It's highest trust at season Of
embarrassment and alarm, entered upon its
arduous duties with extreme diffidence.
claim only to have discharged them to the best
OF my humble ability, with a single eye' o the
public good an0 It Is with devOut gratitude,
IN retiring from office, that | leave the coun-
try In q state of peace and prosperity.
WILLARD FILLMORE;
WAsHINGroS Dec. 6, 1852.