The weekly Placer herald., 1853-01-15
the popular institutions under which we

ltne popular InstItutIoHS uHueT WHiCH we
live, to the freedom which every man
feels to engage in any useful pursuit, ac-
cording to his taste or inclination, and to
the entire confidence that his person and
property will be protected by the laws
But whatever may be the cause of this un
paralleled growth in population, intelli-
gence and wealth, one thing is clear, that
the government must keep pace with the
progress of the people. 1t must partci-
pate in their spirit Of enterprise, and while
it exacts obedience to the laws, and re-
strains all unauthorized iDvasions of the
rights Of neighborng States, it should
foster and protect home industry, and lend
it's powerful strength to the Improvement of
such means of intercomInunication as are
necessary to promote our internal com
merce and strengthen the ties which bind
US together as peOp'e.
1t is not strange, however much it may
be regretted, such an exubcrance of en-
terprise shou d cause some individuals to
mistake change for progress, and the in
vasion OF the rights of others for national
prowess and ory. The former are con-
slant agitating for some change in the
organic law, or urging new and unlried
theories of human rights. The latter are
ever ready to engage in any wild crusade
against neighboring people, regard ess
of the justice of the enterprise, and with
out looking at the fatal consequences to
curse YES and to the cause ofpopu ar gov
ernment. Such expeditions, however,
are often stimulated by mercenary indi-
viduals, who expect to share in the pun
der or proft of the enterprise without ex-
posing themselves to danger, and are led
on by some irresponsible foreigner, who
abuses the hospitality of our own Gov
ernment by seduring the young and igno-
rant to join IN his scheme of personal
ambition or revenge, under the fa Sc and
delusi,e pretence of extending the area
of freedom These reprehensble aggres-
sons but retard the true progress of our
nation, and tarnish its fair fame. They
should, therefore, receive the indignant
frowns of every good citizen who sincere
| ly loves his country and takes a pride in
its prosperity and honor.
Our Constitution, though not perfect, is
doubtless the best that ever was formed.
Therefore let every proposition to change
| it be well weighed, and if found benefi-
cial, cautiously adopted. Every patriot
will rejoice to see its authority so exerted
as to advance the prosperity and honor Of
the nation, whilst he wi watch with jeal-
onsy any attempt to mutilate this charter
of our liberties, or pervert its power to
acts of aggression or injustice. Thus
shall conservatism and progress blend
their harmonious action in preserving the
form and spirit of the Constitution, and at
the same time carry forward the great
Improvements of the country with ra-
can display.
In closing this, my last annual commu-
nicatlon, permit me, fellow citizens, to
congratulate you upon the prosperous
condition of our beloved country. Abroad
its relations with all foreign powers are
friendly; its rights are respected, and its
fully recognized. AT home we enjoy an
amount of happiness, public and private,
which has probably never ia len to- the lot
of any other people. Besides atfording
to our own citizens degree of prosperity
of which on 80 large scale know of no
other instance, our country is annually
affording refuge and horne to multi
tudrs altogether without example in the
Old World.
We owe these blessings, under Heaven,
10 TIC Hdppy OoHstitutloH anu OoVef1-
ment which we're bequeathed to us by our
fathers, and which it is our sacred duty to
transmit, in all their integrity to our chill
dren. We must all consider it great
distinction and privilege to have been
chosen by the people to bear part in the
administration of such government. -
Called hy an unexpected dIspensation to
its highest trust at a season of embarrass-
ment and alarm, entered upon its ar
duous duties with extreme diffidence |
claim only to have discharged them to the
best of an humble ability, with IA single
eye to the public good; and it is with de
vout gratitude, in retiring from office, that
leave the country in IL state of peace and
prosperity MILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, Dec. 6, 1852
SAN Joaquin NEws.-The steamer
Sophie chame i'm at an early hour last
evening, seven hours from Stockton =
The papers contain no intelligence from
the mountains.
The Journal says there are ID patients
in the State Hospital at Stockton, and
sixtv-four in the Insane Asylum.
From THE MoKELUMNE.-We learn
that some traders came down from Moke-
lumne last Saturday, who report an at
tempt mt navigating that stream as event
ually successful. They say boat had
arrived filled with provisions at point