Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-03-16

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| for the accomplishment of those ocxxf Sld as
occupancy can confer no prefogata SSita-
Fortunate desire for preferment. anH ~
| public interest imperatively demarS ID
be considered with sole reference ~ r II
to be performed. Good citizens mAs ~ N il
the protection OF good laws, aud tsisss&i
fuence of good government, ont S3a
| fec Is w!.at the people Of q KerEtc
never recognize No reasonab'e sSnq
party will expect this administrati3xT
regardless of its responsibility ,ana
elements of success as to retain pcE3
to be under the influence Of polisilx
and partizan preiudices.in position
require not only severe labor h2i
! opera,iob. Having no 1Inplissa
supply. nUsfayarsl
sItion, whicl, -
discharge Of ring TR1S0
%9s;s. %;:s,.s .; q, %y ,y.,;a.s ,ssss Marsh I'd
ment gave direction and energy s%rVU.0gltf'
tons in the late canvass. and they shall lot be
disappointed. They require at my hands dill
gence, integrity and capacity. when duties are
to be performed Without these qualities in
their public servants, more stringent laws Tor
The prevention or punishment cf 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 vigilant
watchfulncss. The dangers OF concentra-
ton of all power in a general government
in a confederacy so vast rs ours, are too obyl.
Gus TO be disregarded You have n right there
fore to expect your agents in every department
to regard strictly the limits imposed upon them
by the Constitution.
The great scheme of our constitutional liber
ty rests upon a proper distribution of power
between the States and the federal authorities
and experience has shown that the harmony
and happiness OF our people must depend up
on great dsconnection between the separate
rights and responsibilities of the States aud
your common rights and obligations under the
genera government. And here, in my opinion
are the considerations which should form he
true basis of future concord in regard TO the
| questions which have most seriously disturbed
| public tranquility. If the federal government
will confine itself 10 the cxerci-e of powel
clearly granted by the constitution, it can hard
| ly prove that its action upon any question
| should enGangcr the institutions of the States
| or interfere with their rights TO manage mat.
| ters strictly domestic, according TO the Will o
! their own people. In expressing briefly my
views an, important subject which has re
| Gently agitated the nation to almost fearful
| degree, | am moved by no other Impulse than
| by the most earnest desire for the perpetuatior
| Of that Union which made us what we are -
Showcrng upon us blessings and conierring {
| power and influence which our fathers cOud
| hardly have anticipated, even wi h their san
| guice hopes directed 10 far off future. The
| sentiments | now announce were not unknown
| before the expression of the voice which call led
me here. Ny own position upon this subject
| was clear and unequivocai, upon the records O
my words and my acts, and it is only recurred
to at this time. because silence might be mis-
construed. With the Union my hest ans. dear
/ testsarshiy. hopes agastNltsetss NithogtstASha
4 arg tbcy s.eligidaailylr caik.live.tS VIA
becomes of the n6blest field ever 81, ned for the
| advancement Of our race in re atioi to govern
rnent the arts and all that dignfies anu adorn'
mankind? From that brilliant conste alior
which both illumines our own way, and points
out to struggling nations thei course, let bu
a single star be lost. and if there be not ther
Darkness the lustre of the whole is dimmed.
Do my ccuntrymen need any assurance tha
| such n catastrophe is not to overtake them
while possess the power to stay it. 1t is will
me an earnest aud vital belief, that, as the Z
Mon has been the source, under Providence o
our prosperity to this time, 50 it is the sures
pledge Of a continuance of the blessings tha
we have enjoyed, and which we are sacredl,
bound to transmit undiminshed to our child
ren.
The field Of calm and free discussion in OF
country, is open and will always be so: but
can never be traversed for good in spirit o
scctIonalism or unchariiabeness. The found
ers of the Republic dealt with things as the
were presented TO them, in spirit Of self sac
rificing wisdom, which it will always be wei
10 consult Every measure tending to strength
en- the lraterna feelings of all the members q
our Union. has had my heartfelt appreciation
To every .heory of society or government
whether the offspring of feverish amh tion, q
Of morbid enthusiasm, calculated to di,solv
the bonds Of love and affection, | shall inter
pose a steady and stern resistance.
| believe that involuntary servtude, as
exists in the different States of this conicde
, racy, is recognized III the constitution
stands like any other administrative right, an
: the States where it exists, are entitled 10 eff
cient remedies, to enforce the constitution
provision. | hold that the laws 1850, CON
, monty called the Compromise Measures. ar
strictly constitutional, and should be carrie
into effect. | believe the constituted author
ties of this Republic should regard these law
{ as they would view any other legal and consti
tunal right and that the laws to enforce them
: should be ObCyed-not with a reluctance en-
, couraged by abstract opinions TO thGisprc
priety in different state of society, but eJpvcl
fully and according to the decision OF -
bunas to which their exposition belongs
Such have been and are my convietie
Upon them | shall act and fondly hoI
question is at rest, and that no section4
. bilious or fanatlcal excitement may
, threaten the durability Of our institution
obscure the light of our prosperity. But
, not the foundation Of our hopes rest vi
mans wisdom. 1t viii not be sufiieens u
sectional prejudice find no place in the e,pubY
, deliberations. 1t will be sufficient that
rash counsels Of human passions are rejeS
IL must be felt that there is no security blI
, the nations humb cd acknowledge Of "a
dence upon God, and his overrullng provide
, We have been carried IN safety through a
E mary crisis by wise counsels. like those w
gave us the constitutional privilege 10 lbk3
!, Let the period be remembered as an y
II ton and not as an encouragement to any II
!, tion of the Uncr, to make experiments whlc
are iraught with such fearful hazard. Let
be impressed upon all hearts that, beaut,6l Q
our favored form of government is. no eANh'
: power or wisdom could ever re unite its ofak
! fragments.
Standing as do, almost within viewct tn
green slopes of Monticello. and, as 1t wei
within reach of the tomb Of Washington, wit
: all the cherished memories of the past gener;
: ton around me. like so many eloquent voice
Of exhortation from Heaven, can express
. better hope for my country than that the kin
I Providence which smiled upon our sires, ma
8 enable their children to preserve the blessing
. they have inherited. ~
y FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Al Cabinet,