The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-03-11


he cannot, in legitimate pursuits, wander so
far from home that the agent whom he shall
leave behind in the place which now occu-
py, will not see that no rude hand of power or
yrannical passion is laid upon him with i'm
punty. H. must realize that upon every sea
and upon every soil where our enterprise may
rightfully seek the protection OF our flag, A
ncrican citizenship is an inviolable panoply
for the security of American rights. And in
this connection it can hardly be necessary to
re-affirm principle which should now be re-
garded as fundamental. The rights, security
and reposc of this confederacy reject the idea
OF interference or colonization on this side of
the ocean by any foreign power, beyond pres
ent jurisdiction, as utterly inadmissible.
The opportunities Of observation furnished
by my brief experience as soldier confirmed
in my own mind the opinion entertained and
acted upon by others from the formation of
the government, that the maintenance of
large standing armies in our country would be
not only dangerous but unnecessary. They
also Illustrate the importance-I might well
say the absolute necessity-of the military
science, and practical skill furnished in such
an eminent degree by Ethe institution which
has made your army what it is under the
discipline and instruction ofoffcers not more
distinguished for their solid attainments,
gallantiy, and devotion to the public SERVICE
than Tor unobtrusive bearing and high moral
tone. The army as organized must be the
nucleus around which in every time of need
the strength ofyour military power, (the sure
bulwark Of your defence) a national militia
may be readily formed into we'll disciplined
and efficient organization. And the skill and
self-devotion of the Navy assure you that you
may take the performance ofthe past as pledge
for the future, and may confidently expect that
the flag which has waved its untarnished folds
over every sea, will still float in undminished
honor.
But these, like many other subjects, will be
appropriately brought at future time. to the
attention ofthe co ordinate 5ranchs Of the Gov
ernment, to which | shall always look with
profound respect and with truthful confidence
that they will accord to me the aid g. sopport
which | shall so much need, and which their
experience and wisdom will readily suggest
! In the administration of domestic affairs
you expect devoted integrity in the public
service and the observance of rigid economy
in all departments so marked as never Justly
to be questioned. IF this reasonable eXpecta-
ton be not realized, frankly confess that
one OF your leading hopes is doomed to dis
appointment, and that my efforts in very i'm
portant particular must result in humia-
ting failure. Officers can be properly
regarded only in the light of aids for the ac-
complishment of these objects, and as oc.
cuPancy can confer no prerogatve nor i'm
Fortunate desire for preferment any claimthe
public interest imperatively demands that they
be considered with sole re ference to the duties
to be performed
Good citizens may we'll claim the protection
OF good laws ~ the benign iniuenceof good gov
ernment, but u claim for office is what the peo-
pie of Republic should never recognize
No reasonable man Of any party will expect
the administration to be so regardless of its
responsibilities ofthe obvious elements of sue
cess us to retain persons known to be under the
influence of political hostility g. partizan preju-
dice in positions which will require not only
severe labor but cordial cooperation.
Having no implied engagements to ratify, no
rewards to bestow, no resenments to renem-
Der, no personal wishes to consult in select
ions for official station, shall fulfil this diff
cult and delicate trust, admitting Of no motive
as worthy either of my character or position,
which does not contemplate an efficient dis:
charge of duty and the best interests of my
country. | acknowledge my obligations to
the masses of my countrymen and to them a.
lone. Higher objects than personal agran-
dizement gave direction and energy to their
exertons in the late canvass, and they shall
not be disappointed. They require at my
hands diligence integrity and capacity where
yer there are duties to be performed. With
out these qualities in their public men, strin-
gent laws Tor the prevention or punishment of
frauds, negligence and speculation will be
vain. With them, they will be unnecessary
But these are not the only points to which
you look 70" vigilance and watchfulness.
The dangers of a concentration of all pow
er in tho general government of coniedera-
cy so vast as ours, are too obvious to be disre-
garded. You have right therefore to ex-
pect your agents in every department to re-
gard strictly the limits imposed upon them by
the constitution of the U. States. The great
scheme of our constitutional liberty rests up
on proper distribution of power between the
States and the Federal authorities, and expe-
rience has shown that the harmony and hap
plness of our people must depend upon just
discrimination between the separate rights
and responsibilities of the States aud your
common rights and obligations under the gen.
eral 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
the public tranquility. IL the general Gov
err nent will conGne itself to the exercise of
tn" lowers clearly granted by the constitu-
ton, it can hardly happen that its action up
on any question should endanger the institu-
tions of the States, or interfere with their
right to manage matters strictly domestic ac-
cording to the will of their own people.
In expressing briefly my views upon an i'm
portant subject which has recently agitated
the nation to almost a fearful degree, | am
moved by no other impulse than most ear
rN.t A. Al.