The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-03-16


be consile with sole reference to the
duties to be performed. Good citizens
may we'll claim the protection of good
laws and the benign influence of good
government; but claim for Office is what
the people of a republic shou, never re-
cognize. No reasonable man Of any par
ty will expect the administration to be so
regardless Oft responsibility, and Of tie
Obvious elements OF success, as to retain
persons, known to be under the influence
of political hostility and partisan prejudice
i'll positions, which will require, not only
severe labor, but cordial co-operation.-
Having no implied engagements to ratify,
no rewards to bestow, no resentments to
remember, and no personal wishes to con-
suit, in selections for official station, shall
fulfil this difficult and delicate trust ad
miting no motive as worthy either of nv
character or position, which does not con-
template an efficient discharge ofduty and
the best interest of my country. l ac-
knowledge my obligations to the masses
OF my countrymen, and to them alone.
Higher objects than personal aggrandizc.
ment gave direction and energy to their
exertions in the late canvass, and they
shall not be disappointed. They require
at my hand diligence, integrity, and ca
pacity, whenever there are duties to be
performed. Without these qualities in
their public servants, more stringent laws.
for the prevention or punishment of fraud,
negligence and peculation, will be vain.-
With them, they will be unnecessary.
But these are not the only points, to
which you look for vigilant watchfulness.
The dangers of a concentration of all pow.
er in the general government of confed-
eracy so vast as ours, are too obvious to
be disregarded. You have right, there
fore, 10 expect your agents, in every de-
partment, to regard strictly the limits i'm
posed upon them by the constitution Of the
United States. The great scheme of our
constitutional liberty rests upon n proper
distribution of power between the State
and federal authorities and experience
has shown, that the harmony and happi-
ness OF our people must depend upon
just discrimination between the separate
rights and responsibilities of the State,
and your common rights and obligations
under the general government. And here,
in my opinion, are the considerations.
which should form the true basis of future
concord in regard to the questions, which
have most seriously disturbed public tran
quillity. If the federal government will
confine itself to the exercise of powers
clearly granted by the constitution, it can
hardly happen that its action upon any
question should endanger the institutions
OF the States, or interfere with their right
to manage matters strictly domestic accor
ding to the will Of their own people.
In expressing briefly my views upon an
important subject, which has recently agi-
tated the nation to almost n fearful de-
gree, ] am moved by no other impulse
than most earnest desire for the perpet-
uation of that Union, which has made us
what we are, showcring upon us blessings,
and conierring power and influence, which
our fathers could hardly have anticipated,
even with their most sanguinc hopes di-
rectcd to far-of future. The sentiments
l now announce were not unknown before
the expression Of the voice which called
me here. My own position upon this sub
Ject was clear and uEequivocal, upon the
record of my words and my acts, anG it is
only REQUIRED to at this time because 81.
lencc might perhaps be misconstrucd.--
With the Union my best and dearest
earthly hopes are entwin"d. Without il.
what are We individually or collectively
What becomes Of the nobcsl field ever
opened for the advancement Of our race.
IN religion, in government, in the arts.
and in all that dignifes and adorns man
kindf From that radiant constellation,
which both illumines our own way and
points out to struggling nations their
course, let but single star he lost, and, if
there be not utter darkness, the lustre Of
the whole is dimmed. Do INV country
men need any assurance that such cat
astrophe is not to overtake them while
possess the power to stay iti 1t is with
me an earnest and vital belief, that as the
Union has been the source, under
Providence, Of our prosperity to this
time, so it is the sure|t pledge Of contin-
uan'e OF the blessings we have enjoyed
and which we are sacredly bound to trans
NIT undiminished to our children. The
field Of calm and free discussion in our
country Is open, and will always be SO,
but never has been, never can be trayers
ed for good in a spirit of sectionalism and
uncharitableness.
The founders of the republic dealt with
things as they were presented to them, in
a spirit of selfsacrifcing patriotism, and,
as time has proved, with comprehensive
wisdom, which it will always be safe for
us to consult. Every measure, tending to
strengthen the iraternal feelings Of all the
members Of our Union, has had my heart
felt appreciation. To every theory of So
ciety or government, whether the offspring
OF feyerish ambition or of morbid rnthusi.
asm, calculated to dissolve the bonds of
law and affection which unite us, | shall
interpose a ready and stern resistance. |
believe that involuntary servitude, as il
exists in different Statessof this confedera.
Cyl is recognized by the Constitution. |
be,ieve that it stands like any other ad-
mi;ted right, and that the States where it
ex rsts are entitled to efficient remedies TO