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

| The minimum of federal government, CON-
patible with the maintenance of national unity
and efficient action 10 our relations with the resi-
of the world should afford the rule ard mea sure
of construction of our powers under the general
clauses # the constitution. A spirit Of sircI
defence to the overeign rights and dignity o
every State rather than disposition 10 suboIdi-
nate the States into provincial relation to the
central authority, should characterize all our ex.
ercises of the respective powers temporarily
vested IN US as sacred trust from the generous
| confidence of our constituents.
| In like manner, as a manfestly ind spensa ble
condition Of the perpetuaton Of union, and OF
the realization of that magnificent national future
adverted to, does the duty become yearly stonger
and clearer upon us, as citizens OF the several
States, TO cultivate fraternaI and affectionate
spirit, language and conduct, 10 regard to other
States. and in relation to the varied interests, in
situations and habits Of sentiment and Cpl Mon
which may respectively characterize them. Mu-
tual t0rbearance, respect and non interference in
our personal actions as citizens, and on enlarged
exercise of the most liberal principles of comfy
in the public dealing OF state with stat e, whe her
in legislation or the execution of law, or the
means to perpetuate that confidence and frater
nifty, the decay oil which mere polit cal union
on so vast scale, could not long survive.
In still another point Of view, is an impor,a n,
prac teal duty suggested by this consider alton OF
the magnitude ct dimension, 10 which our DO
litlcal system with Its corresponding machinery
OF government. is so rapidly expa nded. With
increased vl9ence does it require US to cultivate
the cordial virtues of public trupaIity and puri.
ty. Public affairs ought to be so conducted that
settled conviction shall pervade the entire
Union that nothing short Of the highest ton and
standard OF puellc morality marks every ma ri of
the administration and legislation Of the genera
government. Thus will the federal systeu
whatever expansion time and progress NAV give
it, continue more and more deeply rooted in The
love and confidence of the people.
That wise economy, which is as far remove d
from pars'nony as from Corrupt and corrup,ing
extravlaga nce-that single regard for the pnb
lie good, which will trown upon all attempts 10
approach the treasury with lnslduous projects Of
private interest cloakcd under public pretexts-
that sound fiscal admins ration which, in the
Legislative department, guards against the dan
gerous temptations incident to overwhelming
revenue, and IN the Executive maintains a. IN
sleeping wat fitness against the tendency nj
all national expenditure 10 extrayagance. while
they are admitted elementary political dutes
may, trust, be deemed as properv adyer,ed tt
and argued, IN view of the more IMPRESSIVE sense
OF that necessity, which is directly suggested b,
the considerations now presented
Since the adjournment of Congress, the Vice
President Of the United States has passed fror
the scenes of earth, without having entered upol
the duties Of his station to which he had beef
called by the voice OF the countrymen. Hav
ing occupied almost continuously for more thar
thirty years a seat IN one or the other OF The
two Ii uses OF Congress, and having by his sin
gnlar purity and wisdom, secured unboundet
confidence and universal respect, his failing
health was watched by the nation with panlu
sollcltude. His loss to the country, under al
the clrcumstar ces has been justly regarded Il
rreparabe.
In compliance with the act of Congress O
March 1853 the oath of office was administers,
to him on the 9th of that month"; at Arladne Els
tate, near Matanzas, in the island of Cuba, Blu
his strength gradually declined and was hardl
sufficient to enable HIN to return 10 his home il
Alabama, where, on the 18Th of April, in tn
most calm and peaceful way, his long and emi
nently useful career was terminated
Entertaining unlimited confidence IN your in
telgent and patriotic devotion to the public III
terest and being conscious OF no motives Oh ID
part.w are not insnparab!e from the hone
and advancement of my country, | hope il ma
be my privilege to deserve and secure, not onl
your cordial CO operation in great public mea.
ules, but also those relations of mutual conf
,ence and regard, which it IS always so deslrab
to cultivate between members of co.ordinat
branches OF the government.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, Dec. 5, 1853.