Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-12-15


nal, or other similar construction with i
work of His character should be inciden
tai rather than primary.
| will only add. q, present. thss, fully
approaching the magnitude of the subject,
and solicitous that the Atlantic and Pa
fic shores of the republic may be bound
together by inse perable ties of common
interest, as well as of common fealty
and attachment to the Union, shall be
disposed so far as my own action is con
cerned, to follow the lights of the consti-
tuition, as expounded and illustrated by
those, whose expositions constitute the
standard OF my political faith in regard TO
the powers of the federal government
Ii is, | trust, not ne cessary 10 say, that
no grandeur of enterprise, and 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 now radient with the glow Of
prosperity and legitimate constitutional
progress. We can afford to wait. but
we cannot afford to overlook the ark of
our 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. Blu,
while the present is bright with promises
and the failure full Of demand and in
! ducement for the exercise of active intel
ligence the past can never be without
useful lessons of admonition and instruc-
ton If its dangers serve not bescons.
they will evidently fail TO fulfill the OBJ
iect of wise design When the grave
shall have closed over all. who now
endeavOring 10 meet the obligations OF
duty. the year 1880 will be REQUIRED to
y period filled with aIious apprehension.
A successful war had Just termina tod.
! Peace brough. with il a vast augmenta-
ton OF territory. Disturbing questions
arose bearing upon the domestic institu-
tons of one portion of the confederacy,
and involving the constitutional rights
of the States. But, notwithstanding diff
ferences of opinion and sentiment, which
then existed in rela ton 10 details and
specific provisions. the acquiescence OF
distinguished citizens. whose devotion to
the Union can never be doubted, has Civ
en- renewed vigor to our institutions. and
restored sense Of re2ose and security TO
the public mind throughout the confed
eracy. That this repose is TO suffer no
shock during my official term, if have
power TO avert it. those who placed me
here may be assured.
The wisdom OF men, who knew what
independence cost, who had put all at
stake upon the issue of the revolutionary
struggle--disposed of the subject to
which refer. in the only way consistent
with the union of these States. and with
the march Of power and prosperity which
has made us what we are. 1t is signfi
cant fact. that from the adoption of the
constitution until the officers and soldiers
I of the revolution had passed TO their
graves. or. through the iniirmities of age
and wounds. had ceased to participate
actively in public affairs. there was not
merely quiet acquiescence in, but a
prompt vindication Of. tbs constitutional
rights of the States. The reserved pow
ers were sc!upuiously respected.
No Statesmen put forth the narrow
views of cassuists 10 justify interference
and agitation. but the spirit Of the com
/ pact was regarded sacred in the eye of
honor. and indisp cRsable for the great ex-
| pertinent OF civil liberty. which. environ
ed by inherent difficulties. was yet borne
forward in apparent weakness by power
superior 10 all obstacles. There is no
! condemnation, which the voice Of free
dom will not pronounce upon us should
we prove faitkless to this great trust
While men inha biting different parts of
this vast Continent can no more be ex
pected 20 hold the same opinions. or en-
terrain the same sentiments. than every
variety of climate or soil can be eYpe cted
to furnish the same agricultural products.
they can unite in common object TO suS-
tain common principles essential to the
maintenance OF that object.
The gallant men Of the south and the
north could stand together during the
struggle Of the revolution; they could
stand toge ther in the more trying period
which succeeded the clangor Of arms AS
their united vnlor was adequate TO all the
trials of the ca mp nd dangers of the field.
so their united wisdom proved equal to
the greater task Of founding. upon deep
and broad basis, institutions which it has
been our privilege to enjoy. and will ev-
er be our most sacred duty to sustain
II is but the feeble expression of a faith
strong and universal, to say that their
sons, whose blood mingled SO often upon
the same field. during the war of 1912. |
and who have more recently borne in tri |
umph the flag OF the country upon a for
eign soil. will never permit alienation of
feeling to weaken the power Of their uni
ted efforts, nor internal dissentions to
paralyze the great arm of freedom, uplif. |