Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-03-17

presence of princes, with the proud con-
seriousness INA, he is himself one of
nation Of sovereigns, and that he cannot,
IN his legitimate pursuits, wander so far
from home that the agen, he shall leave
behind, in the place now occupy, will.
not see that no rude hand Of power or
iyrannical passion shall be laid upon him
with impunity. lie must realize, tha,
upon every sea and every soil, where
our enterprise may righ,fully seek the
protection OF our flag, American Citizen
ship is an inviolable panoply for the Sc:
curi.y OF American rights. and in this
connection it can hardly be necessary to
reafiirm principle which now should
be regarded as fundamental. The right.
for the security and repose Of this con-
iederacy, to reject the idea Of in,erfer-
ence or colon za,ion on this side of the
ocean. by any foreign power beyond it's
present jurisdiction, is utterly inadmis,
sable. ...... 49,
The opportunities Of observation fur
nished by my brief experience as a sol
der. confirms in my own mind the opin-
ion entertained and acted upon by 9th
ers. from the foundation of the govern
ment, that the maintenance Of large
standing armies in our country. would
not only be dangerous bu, Unnecessary.
They also illustrate the importance, 1
might well say. The absolute necessity
in military service, OF practical skill,
which has maze our army what i. is.-
Our army, as organized, mus, be the nu-
cleus around which. in every time Of
need, the strength of our military pow
er--the national miliiia-may be readi-
ly formed into we'll disciplined and eff
ciens organization. The Lkill and self.
devotion of the navy assure you that you
may take the perfoi nance of the past as
a pledge for the future, and you may
confidently expec. that the flag which
has waved, uniarnished, its folds over
every sea, will still foa, in undiminish.
ed honor. But these, as well as many
other subjects, will be brought before
you a. the appropriate time, through the
subordinate branches of the government;
to which | shall always look with pro.
found respect, and with ,rustful conf
dence, for that cordial aid and support
which shall SO much need, and which
their experience and wisdom will readily
suggest.
In the administration of our domestic
affairs, you expect devoted integrity
in the public service, in all its depart.
ments, so marked as never Justly 10 bp
questioned. and if this reasonable expec-
iation be no, realized. | frankly confess
that one of my leading hopes is doomed
10 disappointment. and ,ha. my efforts
i'll very important particular must re-
sui. in a humilita.ing failure. s
Offices can be properly accepted only
as aids for the accoinplis shment of these
objects. and as occupancy can confer no
prerogative, nor inordinate desire for
preferment and claim, the public interest
imperalively demands. and every good
citizen may and will claim, the pro,ec-
lion Of the law and the benign influence
of good government; but claim for
Office 10 what the people of the Republic
should never recognize. No reasonable
man, OF any party. will expect the Ad-
minis.ration to be SO regardless of its re-
sponsibili,y, and the obvious elements
of Its success. as to retain persons known
TO be under the influence OF political hos.
tili.y and partizan prejudice. which will
require not only severe labor but cordial
cooperation. Having no implied en-
a. a., tiff, r1s 40 ho
STOW, no resentments TO remember, no
personal wishes to consult, in selecting
for official stations, shall fulfil The diff.
cult and delicate trust. admitting no mo.
tive as worthy my character or position,
which does not contemplate an efficient
discharge Of my duty and the best inter.
ests Of my country.
| acknowledge my obligations to the
masses of my countrymen, and to them
alone, and as higher objects than person.
al aggrandixemen. gave direction to their
exeruons in the canvass. they shall not
be disappointed. They require at my
hands diligence. integrity and capacity.
whenever there are duties to perform:
and without this guaranteed quality in
their public servants, more stringent laws
for the prevention or punishment Of neg
ligence and pecu lation will be vain, and
with them would be unnecessary. But
these are no. the only points to which
you look for vigilance and watchfulness
of duty. The danger of the concenira-
ton OF all the powers in the General Gov
ernment in confederacy 80 vast as ours,
is too obvious to be dissesarded;you have
a right. therefore. TO expect your agents.
in every department, to regard strictly the
limits imposed upon them by the cons,i-
tuition. The great scheme OF our consii,
tu,ional liberty rests upon proper dis
tribuiion of power between the State and
Federal authorities, and experience has
shown that that the harmony and happi-
ness Of our people depend upon the jus.
between the separate
rights; and herein. in my opinion. are the
which should form the
true basis of our future concord in regard
to the questions which have most ssri-
ously disturbed the tranquility of Gov
ernment. In the exercise Of the powers
clearly Orantei hv the Eons,,,nt;on "a