The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-03-17
WHOLE NUMBER 600.

! In the administration Of fdomestic aff.irs
you vii! expect devoted integrity 10 the
public service, and the observance OF 4 rig.
ID economy in all departments, 80 marked
az never justly to be questioned. II this
reasonable expectation be not realized,
frankly confess that my leading hopes are
. doomed to disappointment, and that my Of
J forts, 10 very important particular, must
result in humiiating failure. Officers ca ia
be properly regarded only in the light Of
lids for the accomplishments Of those OBJ
)iects; and, as occupancy can confer no
|prerogative, nor inportunate desire for pre-
iermeni any claim, the public interest i'm
perativeiy demands that they be consider
ed with sole reference 10 the duties TO be
performed. Good citizens may we'll claim
the protection Of good laws and the benien q
Influences OF good government; but claim
'or Office is what the people Of republic
should never recognize. No reasonable
man, osany patty, will expect this admins
tration TO be SO regardless Of its RESPONSE
biliiy and the obvious elements Of success,
as 10 retain persons known 10 be under the
influence of political hostility and partisan
prejudice in positions which will require,
not only severe labor, but cordial co-opera-
ton. Having noirnplied engagements to
supply, no rewards to bestow, no resent
menls 10 remember and no personal wishes
10 consult in selections for official stations,
shall fulfil this difficult and delicate trust,
admitting no motive as worthy either Of
my characte. or position, which does not
contemplate an efficient discharge OF duty
md the best interests Of my country. /
acknowledge my obligations TO the masses
Of my countrynen, and them alone. High
er obligations than personal aggrandize-
nent gave distinction and energy to their
exenous 10 the late canvass and they shall
not be disappointed. They require at my
hands diligence, integrity and capacity,
whenever there are duties to be performed.
Withou, these qualities in their public SER
wants, more stringent laws for the preven-
tion and punishment Of fraud, neglect and
peculation will be vain-with them, they
would be unnecessary; but they are not
The only points to which you look for vigi-
liant wa,chirlness.
| The dangers of a concentration Of all
power in the general government Of con-
| tederacy SO vast as ours, are too obvious to
be disregarded. You have a right, there
fore, to expect your agents IL every depart.
me Mt 10 regard strictly the limits imposed
upon them by the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. The great scheme of our con-
stitutional liberty rests upon a pepper dis
ltribu,ion Of power between the State and
Federal authorities; and experience has
shown ,ha, the harmony and happiness Of
our people mus; depend upon a great dis
connection between the separate rights and
responsibilities Of the States and your CON-
mon rights and obligations under the Cen
era! Government-and here, in my opin-
ion, are the considerations which should
form the true basis OF future concord in re-
gard TO the questions which have most So
rioasly disturbed public tranquility. If the
Federal Goverumen will confine itself TO
The exercise Of power clearly granted by
the Constitution, it can hardly prove that
It's action upon any question should endan
ger the institutions OF the States, or inter-
fere with their righ. to manage matters
strictly domestic according to the will Of
lhs:r own people.
| In expressing briefly my views upon an
importan, subject which has recently agi-
ated the nation to almost fearful degree,
| am moved by no other impulse than the
most earnest desire for the perpetuation Of
thst Union which has made W what We
are showcring upon Us blessings and con-
ferrina q power and influence which our
fathers could hardly have anticipated,
even with their most sanguine hopes d.
rected 10 far-ot.future. The sentiment,
/ now announce were not unknown before
the expression OF the voice which called me
here. My own position upon this subject
was clear and unqnes,ionable upon the
record of my words and my acts, and il is
only required to a, this time because silence
might perhaps DO construed. With the
Union nv best and dearest earthly hopes
are entwined: without it, what are they,
individually or collectively? what becomes
of the noblest field ever open for the ad-
vancemert Of cur race in relation to gov
arument, ID the arts. and in all that digni-
fes and adorns mankind9 From that bril-
lsn, constellation, which both illumi mes
our own way and points out TO struggling
nations their course, let but single star
| be lost, and, if there he not then darkness,
| the lustre of the whole is dimned. Do my
countrymen reed ,ny assurance that such
catastrophe is no, to overtske them while
possess the power TO stay III Il is with
me- an esrnest and vital belief that, as the
Union has been the source, under Provi-
dence OF our prosperity 10 this time, 90 il 10
the surest pledge Of continuance Of tho
blessings we have enjoyed, and which We
arc sscredly bound TO transmit undiminish.
ed TO our children. The field Of calm and
free discussion in our country is open, and
will always be so; but il never has been
and never can be traversed for good in q
spirit of sec,ionalissa or unchartableness
THO founders of the Republic dealt with
thing, as they were presented to them, in
spiri, Of sels,sacriiicing patriotism; and,
as time has proved, with q comprehensive
wisdom which i, will always be safe to
consult. Every measure tending TO
s,reng,hen n the fra.ernal feelings Of all the
members of our Union has had my heart
felt appreciation. To every theory Of Soc