The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-03-09

arded as fundamental. The rights, security
nd ropose of this confederacy reject the idea Of
Interference or colonization on this side Of the
ocean by any foreign power beyond its present
Jurisdiction, as utterly nadmissibIe. oppor'
uni,ies of observation furnished by brief expert
nee as soldier, confirmed in my own mind the
opinion entertained and acted upon by others
rom the formation of the Government, that the
maintenance Of large standng armies in our
country would be not only dangerous, but un
They also illustrated the Importance,
might well say, the absolute necessity, of the |
civil and practical skill furnished in
such an eminent degree bv the institution which
has made your army what it is, under the dis
cipline and intructon of officers, not more dis
t.ngushcd for heir solid a,tainments, galantry
and devotion to the public service, than for
unobtrus;ve bearing and high moral tone.
The army, as organized, must be nucleus
around which, in every time of need, the
Strength of your military power, the sure
buwoik of your defence, national MALTA
may be readily formed with well disciplin
ed and efficient organization and the skill
and self devotion Of the Navy assure you that
you may take the performance OF their part as
pledge for the future. and may confidently
expect that the flag which has waved its un.
furnished folds over every sea, will still float in
undiminished honor. But these, like many 9TH
subjects, will be appropriately brought up at
future time to the attention of the coordinate
branches of the government, to which shall al
ways look with profound respect, and with trust
full confidence that they will accord to me the AID
and support which shall so much need, and
which their experience and wisdom will readily
suggest.
In the administrator of Domestic affairs, YOU
will expect devoted integrity in the public
service and an observance of a rigid econ
omy in all departments, so marked as never
justly to be questioned. Ii this reasonable ex-
pectancy be not realized, frankly confess that
one of my leading hopes is doomed to disap-
pointment, and that my efforts i'll very impor-
tant particular must result in humilating failure
Offices can be properly regarded only in the
light of aids for the accomplishment of those
objects and as occupancy can confer pre-
roga.ve, or importuna.e desire for preierme amy
claim, the public interests imperatively demand
that they be considered with sole reference to
the duties to be performed Good citizens may
well claim the protection of good laws, and the
benign influence Of good government, but a
claim for office is what the people Of a Repub.
lie should never recognize. No reasonable man,
of any party, will expect an administration to
be so regardless of its responsibility and the OBJ
vious elements of success as to retain persons
known to be under the influence Of political
hostility and partisan prejadice, in positions
which will require severe labor and cordial Co
operation. Having no implied engagements to
supply, no rewards to bestow, no resentments
to remember and no pei sonal wishes to consult
in selections for official stations, shall fulf
the difficult and delicate trust, admitting no mo
tive as worthy of my character position
which does not contemplate an efficient dis
charge Of duty and the best interests of my
country.
l acknowledge my obligation to the masse.
of my countrymen and to them alone. Higher
obligations than personal ACCOMPLISHMENT gave
direction and energy to their exertions in thu
late canvass, and they shall not be dsappoint
ed. They require at my hands diligence, integ
rty land capacity wherever there are duties to b,
performed. Without these qualities in thei
public servants more stringent laws for the pre-
vention and punishment of fraud, the neglect O
duty and for peculation, will be vain; with them
they would be unnecessary.
But these are not the only points to whicl
you look for vigilance and watchfulness. TIN
dangers of concentration of all power in tn
general govement Of a confcderacy so vast a
ours, are too obvious to he dlsregarded. Yo,
have right therefore to expect your agents il
every department to regard strictly the limit
imposed upon them by the constitution Of tn
U. S. The great scheme Of our constitutions
liberty rests upon proper distribution of pow
| er between the State and Federal authorities
and experience has shown that the harmony AM
; happiness of our people must depend upon
great disconnection between the separate right
J and responsibilities Of the States and your com
mon rights and obligations under the Genera
Government. And here, in my opinion, are tn
: considerations which should form the tru
basis of future concord, in regard 10 the ques
!. a uSIy ned p,lhli
tranquility.
If the Federal Government will confine tsel
! to the exercise of powers clearly granted b.
r the constitution, it can hardly happen that it
action upon any question should endanger tn
institutions of the States, or interfere with thei
: rights to manage matters, strictly domestic, &C
r cording to the will of their own people.
In expressing freely my views upon an impor
tant subject which has recently agitated the ma
ton to most fearful degree, | am moved by n
5 other impulse than the most earnest desire 70
the perpetuity of that Union, which has made u
what we are, showering upon US blessings an
5 comforting a power and influence which on
fathers could hardly have anticipated, eve
with their most sangune hopes directed to
far off future. The sentiments now ,nnounc
5 were not unknown before the expression of tn
voice which called me here. My own postio
upon this subject was clear and unequivocal upo
the record of my words and acts and it
only required to at this time, because siIenc
might, perhaps, be misconstrued With tn
r Union, my best and dearest earthly hope
are entwined. Without it, what they are indi
5 viduaIly or collectiyely' VIVA, becomes of tn
n,blest field ever opened for the advancement {
7 our race, in relation to the government, tn
$ arts, and in all that digni6es and adorns mar
t kind? From that brilliant constellation whic
I both ilumines our own way, and points out t
> struggling nations their course, let but sing
star be lost, and if there be not then darkness
the lustre of the whole is dim.
: Do my countrymen need any assurance tina
such a catastrophe is not to overtake ther
, while possess the power to stay it? 1t
! win me an earnest and vital belief, that as tn
Union has been the source, under Providence
of our prosperity to this time, it is the sures
l pledge of continuance of the blessings W
: have enjoyed and which we are sacredly boun
: to transmit undiminshed to our children. TIL
: field of calm and free discussion in our countr
} is open and will always be so, but it never ha
| been and never can be traversed for good in
spirit of sectionalsm and unchafitablcness.-
The founders of the Republic dealt with thing
} as they were presented to them, in spirit O
self sacrificing patriotism, and time has prov
ed with a comprehensive wisdom which it vii
! always be safe to consult. Every measure ten
ding to strengthen the fraternal feelings of al
the members of our Urion has had my heartfe
appreciation. To every theory Of society G
government, whether the offspring of feveris
ambition,o or Of morbid enthusiasm, calculated t
dissolve the bond of law and affection, sha
interpose steady and stern resistance.
believe that involuntary servitude it el
lists in the different States of this confederacy
is recognized in the Constitution. It stand
like any other administrative right; and til
States where it exists are entitled to efficient re
NEEDLES to enforce the constitutional provision
hold that the laws of 1850, commonly bale
the Compromise measures, are strictly constitu
, tional and should be carried into effect. | be
live the constituted authorities Of this Republi
should regard this law as they would view an
other legal and constitutional right; and that tn
J laws to enforce them should be obeyed, not wit
a reluctance encouraged by abstract opinions
to their propriety in different state of society
but cheerfully and according to the decisions
the tribunals to which their exposition be
longs.
Such have been and are my convictions. Vi
on them shall act, and fondly hope that til
question is al rest, and that no sectional or am
bilious or fana.ical excitement may again threa