The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-12-15


terpreted and applied according to those
principlus, the great compact adapts it
self with healthy ease and freedom to an
unlimited extension of that benign sys-
tenn of federative self-government, of
which it is our glorius and, | trust, i'm
mortal charter. Let us, then, with re-
doubled vigilence, be on our guard against
yielding to the temptation of the exercise
of doubtful powers, even under the press
ure of the motive of conceded temporary
advantage and apparent temporary ezpe-
diency.
The minimum Of Federal Government
compatible with the maintenance of ma
tional unity and efficient action in our
relations with the rest of the world, should
afford the rule and measure of construc-
ton of our powers under the general clau-
ses of the Constitution. A spirit of strict
Difference to the sovereign right and dig
nifty of every State, rather than disposi-
ton to subordinate the States into pro-
vincial relation to the central authority,
should characterize all our exercise of the
respective powers temporarily vested to
us as sacred trust from the generous
confidence of our constituents.
In like manner, as manifestly indis-
pensable condition of the perpetuation of
Union, and of the realization of that mag
nifcient national future adverted to, does
the duty become yearly stronger and
clearer upon US, as citizens of the several
States to cultivate fraternal and afec
tionate spirit, language, and conduct, in
regard to other States, and in relation to
the varied interests, institutions, and hab-
its of sentiment and opinion, which may
respectfully characterize them. Mutual
forbearence, respect, and noninterference
in our personal action as citizens, and an
enlarged exercise of the most liberal
principles of county in the public dealing
of State with State, whether in Legisla-
ton or in the execution of laws, are the
means to perpetuate that confidence and
fraternity, the decay of which mere po-
litical union, on so vast scale, could not
long survive.
In still another point of view, is an i'm
portant practical duty suggested by this
consideration of the magitude of dimen-
sions to which our political system with
its corresponding machinery of govern
ment, is so rapidly expanding. With in
creased vigilance does it require us to
cultivate the cardinal virtues of public
frugality and official integrity and purity.
Public affairs ought to be so conducted
that settled convicted shall pervade the
entire Union, that nothing short of the
highest tone and standard of public NOR
sity marks every part of the admins
tration and legislation of the general gov
ernment Thus will the federal system,
whatever expansion time and progress
may give it, continue more and more
deeply rooted in the love and confidence
of the people.
That wise economy, which is as far re-
moved from parsimony as from corrupt
and corrupting extravagance-that single
regard for the public good, which will
frown upon all attempts to approach the
treasury with insidious projects of private
interest cloaked under public pretexts-
that sound fiscal administration, which,
in the legislative department, guards a
gainst the dangerous temptations Incl
dent to overfowing revenue, and, in the
executive, maintains an unsleeping watch
fitness against the tendency of all nation
al expenditure to extravagance-While
..hey are admitted elementary political
duties, nay, l trust, be deemed as prop
erly adYerted to and urged, in view of
the more impressive sense of that ncees-
sity, which is directly suggested by the
considerations now presented.
Since the adjournment of Congress, the
Vice President of the United States has
passed from the scenes of earth, without
having entered upon the duties of the
station, to which he had been called by
the voice of his countrymen. Having oc-
cupied, almost continuously, for more than
thirty years, seat in one or the other Of
the two Houses of Congress, and having,
by his singular purity and wisdom, Sc
cured unbounded confidence and uniyers-
al respect, his failing health was watched
by the nation with painful solicitude.--
His loss to the country, under all the
circumstances, has been justly regarded
as irreparable.
In compliance with the act of Cangress
of March 2, 1853, the oath of Office was
administered to him on the 24th of that
month, at Ariadne estate; near Matanzas
in the island of Cuba; but his strength
gradually declined, and was hardly suf-
fcient to enable him to return to his
home, in Alabama, where, on the eigh-
teenth day of April, in the most calm
and peaceful way, his long and eminently
useful career was terminated
Entertaining unlimited confidence in
your intelligent and patriotic devotion to
the public interest, and being conscious of
no motives on my part which are not in
separable from the honor and advance
ment of my country, | hope it may be my
privilege to deserve and secure, not only
your cordial cooperation in great public
measures, but also those relations of mu-
tual confidence and regard, which it is
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