Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-12-15

be of doubtful power, and more than doubtful
proprety, even within the limits of territory,
for the government to undertake to administer
the affairs of railload, canal, or other similar
construction, aud therefore that its connection
with work of this character should be lnciden-
Alal rather than primary.
I'll will eny add, at present, that, fully appre-
eating the magnitude Of the subject, and solc-
itous that the Atlantic and Pacific shores Of the
republic may be bound together by inseparable
ties OF commou interest," as we'll as Of common
fealty and attachment 10 the Union, | shall be
disposed, SO tar as thy own action is concerned,
TO follow the lights OF the constitution, as ex
pounded and illustrated by lhose. whose opinions
and expositions constitute the standard of ray
political faith in regard to the powers of the
federal government 1t is, trust, not necessary
to say, that no grandeur of enterprise, and no
present urgent inducement promising popular
favor, will lead me to disregard those lights or
to depart from that path which experience has
proved to be safe, and which is radiant with the
glow Of prosperity and Legitimate constitutional
progress. We can afford to wat, but we cannot
afford to overlook the ark of security.
| 1t is no part Of my purpose to give prominence
to any subject, which may properly be regarded
as set at rest by the deliberate judgment Of the
people. But while the present is bright with
promise, and the future full OF demand and in
ducement for the exercise OF active Intelligence,
the past can never be without useful lessons OF
admonion and instruction. If it's dangers serve
not as beacons, they will evidently fail to fulfill
the object Of their wise design.
When the grave shall have closed over all,
who are now endeavoling to meet the obligations
of duty, the year 1850 will be required to as
period filed with anxious apprehension. A sue
cessful war had Just terminated. Peace brought
with it a vast augmentation OF territory. Dis
turbing questions arose, bearing upon the do
nestle institutions of one portion OF the coDfed-
eracy, and involving the Constitutional rights OF
the States.
Bot, notwithstanding differences of opinion
and sentiment, which then existed in relation to
details and specific provisions, the acqulescence
Of distinguished c,tizeas whose devotion to the
Union can never be doubted, has given renewed
vgor to our institutions, and restored sense Of
repose and security 10 the public mind through
ou the contederacy. That this repose is to suffer
no shock during my official term, if have pow
er to avert It, those who placed me here may be
assured.
i The wisdom of men, who knew what indie
pendence cost-who bad put all at stake upon
the issue of the revolutionary struggle disposed
of the subject to which refer, in the only WY
} consistent with the union of these States, and
with the march of power and prosperity which
has made us what we are.
1t is sign6cact fact, that from the adoption
of the constitution until the officers aud soldiers
Of the revolution had passed TO their graves, or
through tie lnfirmties of age and wounds had
ceased to participate actively III public affairs,
there was not merely quiet acqulescence in, but
prompt vindication OF the constitutional rights
of the States. The reserved powers were scu-
puIoussy respected. No statesman put forth the
narrow views Of cssuists TO justify interference
and agitation, bat the spirit of the compact was
' regarded as sacred in the eye Of honor, and
i Indispensable tor the great experiment ct civil
h liberty, which envroned by inherent difficulties
was yet borne forward in apparent weakness by
It power superior to all obstacles. There is no
It condemnation, which the voice of freedom will
not pronounce upon US. should we prove faithlese
o to This great trust. While men inhabiting diff.
It ferent parts Of this vast continent can no more
be expected to hold the san,e oplRlons, or enter
tain the same sentiments than every variety 81
climate and soil can be expected 10 furnish the
n same agricultural products, they can unite in q
. common object and sustain common principle:
essential to the maintenance of that object. T he
. gallant men Of the south and the north cou't
stand together during the struggle of the revo
J luton; they could stand together in the more
: trying period which succeed the clacgor Of arms
= As ihelg united valtr was adequate to 81, the
e trials of the camp and dangers Of the Geld. 81
: their uaited wisdom proved equal to the create
: task of founding. upon deep and broad basis
8 Institutions, which it has been our privilege t.
II eniov and will ever be our most sacred 6ate,
c to sustsin. Ii is but the feeble expression Of
faith strong and universal, to say that their sons
Il whose blood mingled SO often upon the sam
is field, during the war OF 1912. and who hsy,
Is more receRtly borne in triumph the flag Of he
Ct country upon foreign soil, will never permit al
a alienation OF feeling to weaken the power q
OF their united eff'rs, nor internal dissensIons t.
10 paralyz the great arm of lreedom upllfted 70
y the vlndlcation of self government.
n | have thus briefly presented such suggestion
as seem to the especially worthy OF yoar con
RI sderatIon. In providing tor the present. you ca
TO hardly fail to avail yourselves of the light, whic
? the experience OF the past cast upon the future
is The growth OF our populations has ROW brougt
e us, IN the destIaed career of our national hstoty
l 70 point at which it well behooves Us To expan
l. our visions over the vast prospective.
Il The successive decennlal returns Of the Ger
E. sus since the adoNon Of the constitution has
10 revealed law OF steady progressive deVeloE
ment, which may be stated, IN general terms,
g. q duplication every Quarter-cemury.
y Carried forward, trom the point already reaci
~ ed for only short period OF time as appiicab
III On ho stp fS "A tins la ~ n
Nv if unchecked, wul bring US 10 slmort lncred,b
results.
lie A large allowance for a diminished pr
portIonal effect Of emigration would not We
Il materially reduce the esinlate, while the i
Z crease average duratloa Of human lite, Know
al, to have already resulted FROM the scientific al
%. hygienlc Improvements OF the past fifty year
'at will tend to keep up through The next fifty,
- perhaps hundred the sanle ratio OF growth wni
has been thus revealed in our past progress; al
'u to The Influence OF these Cause may be added t
'a' influx OF laborins masses from Eas,era As
w, w to the Pucldc side OF our possessions, toyeih
wv with the probable accession of the popuia,i
10 laready existing IN other parts OF our he'nsphe
ne which, within the period IN question. will Il
wv with yearly increasing force, the natura! attrt
: ton OF so vast, powerful aad prosperous c.
= 10 fedrat'on OF self governing Republics aud sc
-, the privilege of being admitted within It's 81
Wv aud happy bosom, transferring with thenselv
:. BY a peaceful and healthy process OF lncorpo
aa a lion, spacious regions OF virgin and exhuber
re- soil, which are destined to swami with the ia
'le growing and fast spreading millions OF our IA
10. These considerations seem fully 10 justify
"'' presumption that the law OF population a6t
i, stated will continue to act with undlminlshed
ia feet, through at least the next halt century,
10 ~ that thousands OF persons who have alrei
o ;,s arrived at maturity, aud are now exercising
~: 80 rights Ell freemen, will close their eyes on
~" spectacle Of more than one hundted millions
IVY population embraced within the ma estIc prop