Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-12-15

III OE1MAA1AAE VIZ ~ ~-0-~S
Measures have been taken to remove
these difficulties, and to secure more
abundant importation of the article
Unfortunately, there has been seri-
cus collision between our citizens, who
have resorted to the ChIncha islands for
it, and the Peruvian authorities stationed
there. Redress for. the outrages, COM
mitted by the latter. was promtly de-
mandedl By our minister at Lima. This
subject is now under consideration, and
there is reason to believe that Peru j.
disposed to offer adequate indemnity to
the aggrieved parties.
We are thus not only at peace with all
foreign countries, but, in regard to po-
htiosi affairs, are exempt from any cause
Of serious disquietude ia our domestic
relations.
The controversies, which have agi-
tated the country heretofore, are passing
away with the causes which produced
them and the passions which they had
awakened; or, if any trace of them re-
mains, it may be reasonably hoped that
it will only be perceived in the Jealous
rivalry of all good citizens to testify
their respect for the rights of the States,
their devotion to the Union, and their
common determination that each one Of
the States, its institutions, its welfare,
and its domestic peace shall be held
alike secure under the sacred egis Of
the constitution.
This new league of amity and Of
mutual confidence and support, into
which the people of the republic have
entered, happily affords inducement
and opportunity for the adoption of a
more comprehensive and unembarrassed
line of policy and action, as to the great
material interests of the country,
whether regarded in themselves or in
connexion with the powers of the civil
zed world.
The United States have continued
gradually and steadily to expend,
through acquisitions of territory, which,
how much soever some of them may
have been questioned, are now univer-
sally seen and admitted to have been
wise in policy, just in character, and a
great element in the advancement of
our country, and, with it, of the human
race, in freedom, in prosperity, and in
happiness. The thirteen States have
grown to be thirty-one, with relations
reaching to Europe on the one side, and
on the other to the distant realms OF
Asia.
am deeply sensible of the immense
responsibility which the present magni-
tade of the republic, and the diversity
snd multiplicity of its interests, devolves
upon me: the alleviation of which, so
far as relates to the immediate conduct
of the public business is, first, to my
reliance on the wisdom and patriotism Of
the two Houses of Congress; and,
secondly, in the directions afforded me
by the principles of public policy, af-
frmed by our fathers of the epoch oi
1898, sanctioned by long experience,
and consecrated anew by the over
Nhelming voice of the people of the
United States.
Recurring to these principles, which
constitute the organic basis of union,
we perceive that. vast as are the func-
tons and the duties of the federal gov.
ernment, vested in, or entrusted to, its
three great departments, the legislative,
executive, and judicial, yet the sub
stantiye power, the popular force, and
the large capacities for social and mate
rial development, exist in tie respective
States, which, all being of themselves
well constituted republics, as they pre-.
ceded, so they alone are capable o
maintaining and perpetuating, the
American Union. The federal govern
nent has its appropriate line of action il
the specific and limited powers conferred
on it by the constitution, chiefly as Il
those things in which the States have &
common interest in their relations t.
one another, and to foreign govern
nents; while the great mass of inter
ests which belong to cultivated men
the ordinary business of life, the spring.
of industry, all the diversified persona
and domestic affairs of society, rest Sc.
curely upon the general reserved pow.
ers of the people of the several States
There is the effective democracy of the
nation, and there the vital essence Of
its being and its greatness.
Of the practical consequences which
flow from the nature of the federal
government, the primary one is the
duty of administering with integrity
and fidelity the high trust reposed in il
by the constitution, especially in the ap-
plication of the public funds, as drawn
by taxation from the people, and appro-
priated to specific objects by Congress.
Happily l have no occasion to suggest
any radical changes in the financial
policy of the government. Ours is
almost, if not absolutely, the solitary
power of Christendom having surplus
revenue, drawn Immediately from i'm
posts on commerce, and therefore meas
ured by the spontaneous enterprise and
national prosperity of the country, with
such indirect relation to agriculture,
manufactures, and the products of the
earth and sea, as to violate no constitu-
tional doctrine. and yet vigorously pro
mote the general welfare. Neither as
to the sources of the public treasure,
nor as to the manner of keeping and
managing it, does any grave controver-
sy now prevail, there being a general