The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-05

an eminent degree, by The institution, which has made
your army what II 49, under The discipline and nsue-
lion OF officers not ds,ing uished for their solid al
ainmens, gaantry, and devotion 10 the public service,
than Tor unobiIusiye bearing and high moral tone The
army, as organized, must be the nucleus, around which,
in every time of need, the strength OF your military
power, the sure buwark OF your deience-a national
miliia-may be readily formed into wel-discipllned
and efficient organization And the skill and self devo-
ton OF the navy you that you may take the per-
Torrance OF the past pledge for the future and may
confidently expect that the flag which has waved IFS un.
diminished honor But these, like many other subjects,
Will be appropriately brought at future me TO the at
enlon oil the coordinate branches OF the government,
TO which shall always look with profound respect and
with ,Iuslful confidence that they will accord 10 me the
AID and support which shall much need. and which
their experience and wisdom will readily suggest.
In the administration OF domestic affairs, you expect
devoted integrity the public service, and observance
OF gd economy in all departments, so marked as never
justly 10 be questioned. II this reasonable expectation
be not realzed frankly confess that OF your lead
ing hopes is doomed 10 disappointment, and that my ell
forts IN very important particular must result IN hu-
milang failure, Offices be properly regarded only
in the light OF aids for the accomplishment OF these OBJ
lecs and as occupancy can confer no prerogave nor
lmporunae desire for preferment any claim, the public
interest mperavey demands that they be considered with
soeeierence TO the duties TO be performed Good clizens
may well claim the protection OF good laws and Inc
benign influence of good government; but claim
Tor office is what the people OF republic should never
recognize No reasonable man Of any party VIII expecl
the administration TO be regardless OF It's responsibility,
and of the obvious elements OF success to retain per-
sons, known to be under the influence OF political hos
y and partisan prejudice, in POSITIONS which will re-
guire not only labor, but cordial operation
Having implied engagements TO ratity no rewards to
bestow, no resentments 10 remember, and no personal
wishes 10 consult in selections for Official station, shall
fulfil this difficult and delicate trust admitting no motive
worthy either OF my character position which doet
not contemplate efficient discharge of duty and the bes
interests Of my country. acknowledge my obligations
to the masses OF my countrymen, and TO them alone
Higher objects than personal aggTandzeme gave drec-
ton and energy 10 their exetons in the late canvass,
and they shall not be disappointed They require at my
duties to be performed Without these qualities in their
public servants, stringent laws for the prevention
or punishment of fraud, negligence and pecuation, will
be vain. With them, they will be unnecessary
But these are not the only points, 10 which you look
for ylglant watchuness. The dangers OF a concentra
ton OF all power in the general government OF coned
eracy ours too obvious to be disreg arded
You have right, therefore, expect your agents, in
every department, TO regard strictly the limits imposed
upon them by the constitution of the United States The
great scheme of constitutional liberty rests upon
proper distribution OF power between the State and fed
era authorities and experience has shown, that the ha-
mony and happiness OF our people must depend upon
just discrimination between the separate rights and
sponsibes of the States and your common rights and
Obligations under the general government And here in
my opinion, the considerations which should form the
true basis OF future concord in regard to the questions,
which have seriously disturbed public tranquility.
II the federal government will contne itself to the
else of powers clearly granted by The constitution, il
hardly happen that lis action upon any question shoad
endanger the institutions OF the States or interfere with
their right TO manage matters strictly domestic according
10 the will OF their people.
In expressing briefly my views upon important SUBJ
ect which has recently aga,ed the nation 10 almost
fearful degree, am moved by no other impulse than
most earnest desire for the perPeuaon of that Union,
which has made us what we are, showerng upon us
blessings, and comforting power and influence which
fathers could hardly have anticipated with their
most sanguine hopes directed to far of future The
tments now announce were not unknown before the
preston OF the voice which called me here My own
position upon this subject clear and unequivocal
upon the record OF my words and my acts, and il is
only required 10 at this time because silence might
perhaps be misconslrued. With the Union my best and
dearest earthly hopes entwined Without il, what
Individually collectively What becomes OF the
nobes field opened for the advancement of race
in religion, in government in the arts, and all that dig
nifes and adorns mankind From that radiant constel
laon, which both illumines way and points
10 struggling nations their course, let but single star be
lost, and ii there be not utter darkness the use OF the
whole is dmmed. Do my counirymen need any
that such catastrophe is not to overake them while
possess the power stay it Ii with and
vital belief that the Union has been the source, under
Providence, of our prosperity 10 this time, is the
suresi pledge OF continuance OF the blessings we have
enjoyed, and which sacredly bound 10 transmit
undimnished to our children The field OF calm and free
discussion IN our country is open, and will always be
So but has been and be traversed for
good in spirit OF seciionalism and uncharitabeness
The founders of the republic dealt with things
they presented TO them IN spirit OF self-sacIi
hcing patriotism, and, as tune has proved, with a
comprehensive wisdom, which il will always be safe
for us to consult Every measure, tending to strengthen
the alernal feelings OF all the members of Union
has had my heartfelt appreciation To every theory Of
society government, whether the offspring OF eversh
ambition OF morbid enthusiasm, calculated 10 dissolve
the bonds OF law and affection which unite us, shall
lnierpose ready and stern resistance | believe that
involuntary servude as 1t exists in different States OF
this confederacy is recognised by the Constitution.
believe that II stands like any other admitted rights and
that the States where 1t exists entitled TO efficient
remedies to enforce the constitutional provisions.
hold that the laws OF 1850, commonly called the CON-
promise measures, strictly constitutional, and 10
be unhesi,atingy carried into effect ! believe that
the constituted authorities OF this Republic are bound
to regard the rights of the South in this respect as
they would view any other legal and constitutional
right and that the laws 10 enforce them should be
spected and obeyed, not with reluctance encouraged
by abstract opinions to their propety in a different
state Of society, but cheeuy, and according the de-
csons OF the tribunal to which their exposition belongs
Such have been and my convictions, and upon them
shall act fervenuy hope that the question is rest
and that seconaftor ambitious, fanacal excite
ment may again threaten the durability OF our inslu-
tons, or obscure the high, OF our prosperity.
But let not the foundation oil hope upon mans
wisdom It will not be sufficient that sectional preu-
dccs find place in the public deliberations. II will
not be sufficient that the rash counses OF human passion
rejected II must be felt that there is national
curty but in the nations humble, acknowledged depend
upon God and his overriding Providence.
We have been carried in safety through a perilous
crisis. Wise couDsels, like those which gave The
constitution, prevailed TO uphold IT, Let the period be
remembered as admoDiiion and not encourage
ment in any section of the Union, TO make experiments
where experiments iraught with such fearful haz-
ard Let It be impressed upon all hearts, that beautiful
as our fabric IL, no earthly power wisdom could
ever re-unte it's broken fragments Standing as do
almost within view OF the green slopes OF Monticello
and, as were, within reach OF the tomb OF Wash
ington, with all the cherished memories OF the
past gathering around me, like many eloquent
voices of exhortaon from Heaven, 4 can express