Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-03-10

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always look with profound respect, and
with trustfal confidence that they will
accord to me the aid and support which
| shall so much need, and which their ex-
perience and wisdom will readily suggest
In the administration Of domestic affairs
you expect devoted integrity in the public
service, and an observance Of rigid economy
in all departments, so marked as never Justly
/ to be questioned. If this reasonable expec-
tation be not realized, frankly confess that
lone Of your leading hopes is doomed to disap-
pointment and that my efforts in a very i'm
portant particular must result in humilia-
/ ting failure. Offices can be properly regar-
I ded only in the light of aids for the accom-
! plishment of these objects; and as occupan-
cy can confer no prerogatire, nor importu-
mate desire for preterment any claim, the pub
/ lie interest mperalively demands 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 in
fuence ofa good government; buta claim fer
sfice is what the people ofa Republic should
never recognize. No reasonable man of any
party will expect the Administration to be SO
regardless oflts responsibility, aud Of the obv-
Gus elements OF success, as to retain persons,
known to be under the Influence of political
hostility and partisan prejudice, in positions.
which will require, not only severe labor, but
cordial cooperation. Having no implied en-
gagements to ratTy, no rewards to bestOw, no
resentments 10 remember, and no per sonal
wishes TO consult, in selections for official
station, shall fulfil this difficult and delicate
trust, admitting no motive as worthy either of
my character or position, which does not con-
template an efficient discharge of duty and
the best interests of my country. lacknowl-
edge my obligations to the masses my coun-
trymen, and to them alone. Higher objects
than personal aggrandizement gave direction
and energy 10 their exertions in the late can
vass, and they shall not be disap pponted-
They require at my hands diligence, integrity
and capacity, wherever there are duties 10 be
performed. Without these qualities IN their
public servants, more stringent laws, for the
presentation or punishment of fraud, negl-
gence and peculation, will be vain. With
them, they will be unnecessary.
But these are not the only points. to which
you look for vigiant watchfulness. The dam
gers of concentration of all power in the Gen
era Government of Confederacy So vast as
have right, therefore, to expect your agents,
in every department, to regard strictly the
limits imposed upon them by the Constitution
of the United States. The great scheme of
our constitutional liberty rests upon a proper
distribution Of power between the State and
Federal authorities; and experience has shown !
that the harmony and happiness Of our people !
must depend upon just discrimination be- |
tween the separate rights and responsibilities |
of the States, and your common rights and /
obligations under the General Government. !
And here, in my opinion, are the considera- /
tons, which should form the true basis of iu- /
ture concord III regard to the questions which |
have most seriously disturbed public tranquil |
ity. II the Federal Government will conliue |
itself to the exercise of power clearly granted
by the Constitution, it can hardly huppen that
its action upon any question should endanger
The institutions of the States, or interfere with
their right to manage matters strictly domes
tic according to the will Of their own people.
In expressing briefly my views upon an i'm
portant subject which has recently acitated
the nation to almost fearful degree, | am
moved by no other impulse than most ear
nest desire for the perpetuaton of that Union,
" W
upon US blessings, and comforting a power
and influence which our fathers could hardly
have anticipated, even with their most san
guine hopes directed TO far-of future, The
sentiments now announce were not unknown
before the expression OF the voice which cal
led me here. My own position upon this
subject was clear and unequlyocal, upon the
record of my words and my acts and il ls
only recurred to at this time because silence
might, perhaps, be mlsconstrued. With the
Union, my best and dearest earthly hopes are
Without ii; what are we, indlvid-
ually or collectively! What becomes of the
noblest field ever opened for the advancement
Of our race, in religion, in government, in the
arts, and in all that Gignities and adorns man
kind! From that radiant constellation, which
both lllumiDes our own way and points out
10 struggling nations their course, let but
single star be lost, and, if there be not utter
darkness, the luster of the whole is dimmed.
Do my countrymen need any assurance that
such catastrophe is not to Overtake them
while possess the power to stay ii! 1t is
with me an earnest and vital belief, that as
the Union has been the source, under Proyi-
1ence, OF our prosperity TO this time, so 1t is
the surest pledge Of continuance of the
blessings we have enjoyed, and which we are
sacredly bound to transmit unGimnished to
our children. The field of calm and free
discussion in our country is open, and will al
ways be so; but ii never has been and never
can be traversed for good in spirit of Sec
Lionallsm and uncharitableness. The foun-
lers Of the Republic dealt with things as
hey were presented to them, in a spirit of
patriotism, and, as time has
proved, with comprehensive wisdom which
i will always be safe for US to consult. Ev-
Fry measure tending TO strengthen the frat
srnal feelings of all the members of our u
MON, has had my heartfelt appreciation. To
every theory of society or government,
whether the offspring of teverish ambition or
,f morbid enthusiasm, calculated to dissolve