Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10

yidnp for the present you hardly fail TO avail your
selves of the light which the experience OF the past casts
upon the future. -
The growth of our population has now brought US, In
the destined career Of national history to point at
which it well behooyes to expand our vision over tne
vast prospective
the adoption Of the Constitution have revealed law OF
steady progressive development which may De stated,
general terms, duplication every quarter-century
Carried forward from the point already reached ior
only short period of time applicable TO the exist
OF nation this law of progress, uncnecKeo VIII
bring to almost incredible results. large allow
ance for diminished proportional effect OF emigration
would not very materially reduce the estimate, while inc
increased average duration of human life known TO nave
already resulted from the scientific and HYGIENE improve
mens of the past fifty years will tend to keep up through
the next hfty perhaps hundred, the same rato OF
growth which has been thus revealed in our past pro-
gress and to the influence of these be added
the influx Of laboring from eastern Asia to the
Pacific side Of possessions together with the probable
accession of the populations already existing in other
parts of our hemisphere which, within the period in
question: will feel with yearly increasing force the
tura attraction of vast, powerful and prosperous
confederation of self governing republics and will seek
the privilege Of being admitted within its safe and happy
BOSOM transferring with themselves, by peaceful and
healthy process of Incorporation, spacious regions of yr
gin and exuberan SELL which destined to with
the fast growing and asspreading millions of
These considerations SEEM fully to justify the presump-
ton that the law of population above stated will con-
tinue with undimnished effect through at least
the next half century and that thousands of who
have already arrived at maturity and exercising
the rights of feemen will close their eyes the speca
Gle of than hundred millions of population en-
braced within the majestic proportions OF the American
Union 1t is not merely interesting topic Of spe-
culaon that present these views consideration
They have important practical bearings upon all the po
tical duties called upon to perform Heretofore
system of Government has worked on what may be
termed miniature SCALE in comparison with the develop
ment which it must thus within future so near
at hand scarcely be beyond the of the exist
ing generation.
1t is evident that confederation vast and so varied,
both in numbers and in territorial extent in habits and
in interests could only be kept in national cohesion by
the sricest fidelity to the principles OF the Constitution
understood by those who have adhered to the most
srcted construction of the granted by people
and the States Interpreted and applied according to
those principles the great compact adapts itself with
healthy and freedom to an unlimited extension of
that benign system Of edcrative selfgovernment, Of
which it is glorious and trust immortal charter.
Let u.s. then with redoubed vigilance be on our guard
against yielding the temptation of the exercise of doubt
full powers under the of the motives OF con-
coded temporary advantage and apparent temporary ex
pediency.
The minimum of federal government, compatible with
the maintenance of national unity and efficient action in
relations with the rest of the world should afford the
rule and of construction of powers under the
general clauses of the Constitution spirit OF strict de-
the and dignity of State,
rather than disposition to subordinate the States into
provincial relation to the central authority should cha
ractere all exercise of the respective powers tempo
rary vested in as sacred trust from the generous
confidence of our constituents.
In like manner as manifesty indispensable condition
of the perpetuaon of the Unon and of the realization of
that magnificent national future adyerted to- does the du
ty become yearly stronger and clearer upon US, ci
of the several States to cultivate faternal and at
econate spirit language and conduct in regard to other
States and in relation the varied institutions
and habits Of sentiment and opinion which may respec
lively characterize them. Mutual forbearance, respect
and nonnterrence in personal action as citizens
and enlarged exercise of the most liberal principles of
in legislation in the execution Of laws the
perpetuate that confidence and fraternity the decay OF
which political union on so vast scale could not
long survive.
In still another point of view is important practical
duty suggested by this consideration of the magnitude of
dimensions, which political SYSTEM with its
responding machinery of government, is rapidly
pandng With increased vigilance does it require us to
cultivate the cardinal virtues of public fugaty and Off
cia integrity and purity. Public affairs ought to be
conducted that settled conviction shall pervade the
tire Union that nothing short of the highest tone and
standard of public morality marks every part of the ad
minstration and legislation Of the General Government
Thus will the federal system, whatever expansion time
and progress give it. continue more and more deep
ly rooted in the love and confidence Of the people
That wise economy which is as far removed from par
simony from corrupt and corrupting extravaganza;
that single regard for the public good which will frown
upon all attempts approach the Treasury with nsid
projects Of private interest csaked under public pre-
texts that sound fiscal administration which, in the le
gsatve department. guards against the dangerous temp
cuve maintains unsleepng watchfuness against the
tendency Of all national expenditure to extravaganza
while they admitted elementary political duties may
trust be deemed properly adverted to and urged in
view Of the impressive of that necessity which
is directly suggested by the considerations pre-
sented.
Since the djournment of Congress- the Vice President
Of the United States has passed from the Of EARTH
without having entered upon the duties Of the station
which he had been called by the voice of his countymen
Having occupied, almost continuously, for than
thirty years. seat in the other Of the two Houses
Of Congress- and having by his singular purity and wis
dom secured unbounded confidence and universal
his failing health watched by the nation with painful
socitude His loss to the country under all the circum
Stances has been justly regarded as irreparable.
In compliance with the act Of Congress Of March g
1858, the oath Of Office administered to him the
Oath Of that month, at Ariadne estate, Natnzas
the Island Of Cuba but his strength gradually declined
and hardly sufficient to enable him to to his
home in Alabama where the eighteenth day Of April
in the most calm and peaceful way his long and eminent
ly useful career was terminated.
Entertaining unlimited confidence in your intelligent
and patriotic devotion to the public interest and being
conscious Of motives my part which not nsepa
rable from the honor and Advancement Of my country
hope may be my privilege TO deserve and secure not
only your cordial cooperation in great public measures
but also those relations Of mutual confidence and regard
which 1t is always desirable to cultivate between
bers Of coordinate branches Of the Government
FRANKLIN PIERCE
WAsHEeTos, DECEMBER 3, 1853.