The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-01

0 Hon. Joseph A. Wrighi Gopanov Of Ind,ana on a
summing p's antss " MS ODtee az hs commencement
has second lama. January 10, 1858

Senator's. representatives.. and fsilow. citizens.
haFlhs 'akeh The oath OF Office, required by the
laws ia inc presence OF both houses OF the general
sembly IN conventions, permit me 10 return 10 YOU and
through you TO our fellow citizens my grateful acknowl
edgmens ior ths the second manifestation OF their con
tive office OF The State
Inc appreciation, confidence, and respect OF my fellow
cuzehs are, above all things. the most grateful TO my
heart nave not language at command 10 express the
gratitude ieel towards the people OF nv adopted State
who have again called preside their interests
under peculiar circumstances and BY SO decided
la my estimation, there is no other position equal TO
The one lhey have assigned me The constitution, which
IS he supreme law IN this Slate, least in spirit ii
py ts etle Prohbils me from seeking accepting any
other once during the term for which have been elect
ed ms provision Was, no doubt, intended TO extend
10 national as well as State officers and whatever ques-
uon may exist as 10 The power OF State 10 limit the
qualifications OF the officers OF the general government
mere can Dc none as 10 the right OF the people OF State
70 lii he,f own action IN making appointments to such
oMces therefore desire to say this public manner,
and IN the presence OF their representatives, that during
the period prescribed for the existence OF my present Of
nee shall devote my whole time, and exert my utmost
dpes' 10 promote me happiness, peace, and prosperity
OF the people OF the State.
The numerous subjects alluded to in my annual mes
sage 20 me general assembly few days since will be
suhcient apology for making this address brief
Inc tendency OF the times is towards the extension oil
the powers OF the general government the expense Of
nose OF Tue oiae governments This was oreseen BY
the fathers Of the revolution and they endeavoed TO
ceuneract u; but there be doubt that the evil
is increasing.
The tendency OF the general government to absorb the
rights OF the States was one OF the consequences OF our
system from which MIR Jefferson apprehended the great
est evils Flty"four years ago he wrote to his friend
John Taylor. OF Caroline, as follows:
''lt is singular phenomenon that while our State
governments are the Uery bes! in the vortd without
cepion or comparison, general government has,
the rapid course Of nine or Ten years, become more arb
trary and has swallowed more OF the public liberty than
even that OF England"
II this was true at that time, when the revenue and
expenditures of The general government but few
millions, when the number oil officers and emouments
were small in comparison, what would have been the
language Of that great statesman il he were now living.
and called upon 10 give his opinion OF the powers and
influence OF the national government! .ra
The great fault is that have not enough4Df State
pride and State ambition; and that we do not fully APP
precate our position members OF confederated Union
OF sovereign States, rather than the people of single
consolidated nation We should look more to the imme-
date government at home for the advantages 10 be de-
rived from our social compact and less 10 the powers OF
The general government, which delegated chiefly 10
preserve unity in intercourse with foreign nations
We should endeavor, by all the legitimate means in
our power to foster such of State policy will
give full employment to all the talents and energies OF
the people. There numerous objects worthy OF their
attention here, al home, and ample field, in which
those who are inspired with laudable ambition TO be-
come public beneiactors may give full scope to their ex
eriions. Hfs
We have been for many years justly chargeable with
having imporuned the general government, by Joint
oulions Tor all kinds OF relief and for donations al
most every imaginable case, until have almost taught
our people to look to Washington instead of their own
capital for the benefits OF legislation. One of the
quences OF thus practice rs, that many OF citizens
nave been led to give greater attention TO the appoints
mens OF office. to the operations and management OF the
general government, Than TO those OF State adj
mlnistration.
lslt not striking fact illustrating its tendency 10 con.
solicitation, thai in prosperous State, during the past
year. when our ellow-ctzens called upon to select
The ocers TO manage the executive judicial and legIsla
tive departments. make and administer the laws that
are TO conrel aud regulate their personal rights their
property and Their character while living, and those of
their widows children and heirs when they shall be no
more--s IT not. say, striking disqualification OF the
absorbing tendencies OF the powers OF tue national gov
eminent, that fifteen thousand of fellow ci-
zens turned out 10 lake part in the election of Pres
dent of the United States than did at their State election
involving such imporlast ineres,s In OF
'eT States tue difference was even much greater.
Our duty is plain Our interest is self evident They
are TO keep The general government within the clearly
expressed power OF the constitution and 10 claim for
the State administration all the powers surrendered
dent and free people The great difference in the amount,
OF compensation allowed to the national and State officers
is no doubt OF the greater interest being
IN the election OF the former II would certainly be de-
slrabe II the pay OF these officers could be more equal
lied s-a
| There is one subject, however upon which we might
WIN great popnely give an expression 10 the members
OF Congress by joint resolution allude to the entire
abolition OF the tranking privilege. This is measure
which is mperavey demanded. The privilege is liable
To great abuses and IL nlurousy affects the rights of the
II
quale advantage in return
We frequently suffer ourselves TO be led into the ad-
yocacy OF new departments in The general government
without thinking that the establishment OF every new
office al Washington is the absorption OF much Of
State rights
| The evils that follow from the concentration of the
attention OF the people TO national Offices extrava-
gance IN expenditures, an intense excitement pending
the election OF national officers and neglect of The peo-
pie and their representatives look Their State
policy. and 10 bud up such institutions home are
calculated 10 benefit them 10 all the relations OF e and
! 10 make them happy and prosperous community.
II should ever be regarded as settled axiom with
people that they have intelligence and funds at
Washington that do not from the people OF the
States; that II we wish information TO carry
on public improvements or to make statistical tables of
products they should be provided under
our own supervision and by our officers; for
suredly the declaration made by Mr. Jefferson half a
century ago, that economy rs nseparaby connected with
the principle that the baot-box and the taxing power
are separated Tie greater danger there will be that
necessary expenditures Will degenerate into extrava-
gance. ...ssa t#
We have evidence Of this in the fact tina, committees
are sitting IN the vacation of Congress- feretng
charges Involving sums OF money than equal to
ordinary Slate expenses for FIVE years, said 10 have been
irauauently obtained from the government Tue Pres
dent IN hs annual message, has been constrained 10 d.
rect the attention Of Congress TO the ptoprety Of provd
ing an additional criminal code to prevent official bribery
and corruption
We find in all the States evidences of Mr. Jederson's
views II ~ exhibited every year in annual cleo
ions by the Interest, people take in the small expend-
lures at home even down 10 the payment OF the wood