Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-03-10

should now Be regarded as funda>
mental.
The rights, security and repose oi
this coniederacy reject the idea Of in
reference or colonization on this side Of
the ocean. by any foreign power beyond
the present jurisdiction as utterly inad-
missible.
The opportunities OF observation fur
nished by my brief experience as a sol>
der, confirmed in my own mind the
opinion entertained and acted upon by
others from the formation of the GOV.
eminent, that the maintenance of lerpe
standing armies in our country would
be not only dangerous but unnecessary,
They also illustrated the importance, |
might well say, the absolute necessity oI
the military science, and the practical
skill furnished in such an eminent de.
gree by the institution which has made
your army what il is, under the disci-
pline and instruction of officers not
more distinguished for their solid attain
ments, gallantry and devotion to the pub
lie service than TO an unobtrusive bear
ing and high moral tone.
The army as organized must be the
nucleus around which in every time OF
need the strength of your military pow
er, the sure bulwark of your defence, a
national militia may be readily formed
into well disciplined and efficient or
ganiZation; and the skill and selEdevo
ton of the Navy assure you that you
may take the performance Of the past as
pledge for the future, and may conf
IDENTIFY expect that the flag which has
waved IFS untarnished folds over eyery
sea will still float in undiminished hon.
or.
But these, like many other subjects,
will be appropriately brought at future
time before the coordinate branches oI
the government, to which | shall always
look with profound respect and with
trustful confidence that they will accord
to me the aid and support which shall
so much need, and which their experi>
ence and wisdom will so readily sug>
gest.
In the administration of domestic af.
fairs you expect devoted integrity in
the public service and an observance of
rigid economy in all departments so
marked as never justly TO be questioned.
If this reasonable expectation be not re-
allied. ! frankly confess that one of your
leading hopes is doomed to disappoint-
ment, and that my efforts in very i'm
portant particular must result in a hu-
initiating failure. Officers can be props
erly regarded only in the light of aids
for the Accomplishment of these objects,
and as occupancy can confer no prerog.
alive nor importunate desire Tor prefer
ment any claim, the public interest inn
peratively demands that they be consid
cred with sole reference TO the duties to
be performed. Good citizens may well
claim the protection of good laws and
the benign influence of good govern
ment, but claim for Office is what the
people OF republic should never recog-
nize. No reasonable man of any party
will expect the administration to be so
regardless Of its responsibility and of
the obvious elements Of success as to
retain persons known to be under the
influence Of political hostility and parti-
san prejudice in positions which will re-
quire not only severe labor but cordial
cooperation: .- -.~ b.
Having no implied engagements to
raiify, no rewards 10 bestow, no resent
ments to remember, no personal wishes
TO consult in selections for official sta
ton, shall fulfil this difficult and deli
cate trust admitting no motive as worthy
either of my character or position, which
does not contemplate an efficient DIS
charge of duty and the best interests of
my country.
] acknowledge my obligations TO tho
masses of my countrymen, and 10 them
alone.
Higher objects than personal aggran-
dizement gave direction and energy TO
their exertions in the late canvass, and
they shall not be disappointed. They
require at my hands diligence. integrity
and capacity, wherever there are duties
TO be performed. Without these quali-
ties in their public servants, more strin-
gent laws for TIE preservation or punish
ment of fraud, negligence and pecuia-
lion will be vain. With them they will |
be unnecessary.
But these are not the only points 10
which You look for vigilant watchful-
ness. The danger of concentration
Of all power IN the General Govern
nent of confederacy so vast as ours,
IS too obvious to be disregarded.
You have right, therefore, to expect
your agents in every department to re-
gard strictly the limits imposed upon
hem by the Constitution Of the United
States. The great scheme Of our con-
stitutional liberty rests upon a proper
distribution Of power between the State
and Federal authorities, and experience
las shown US that the harmony and hap
'iness of our people must depend upon
| Just discrimination between the sepa-
'ate rights and responsibilities of the
States and your common rights and OBJ,
igations under the General Govern
nent. and herein in my opinion are the
which should form the
rue basis of public concord, in regard
o the questions which have most seri-
,usly disturbed pubic tranquility. If
i n