Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-10

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II is evident that confederation so vast and so
riod both in numbers and in territorial extent in
habits and in interests, could only be kept in nation
al cohesion by the strictest fidelity to the principles
Of the constitutions understood by those who have
Jbcred to the most restricted construction of the
mowers granted by the people and the States. In
terpreed and applied according to those principles,
the great compact adapts itself with healthy case
and freedom to unlimited extension of that benign
system of federate self Government, of which 1t is
our glorious and, trust, immortal charter Let US
then, with reboubled vigilance, be on our guard a.
cainst yielding to the temptation OF the eNeLcseOA
doubtful powers, even under the pressure ol .no
tivcs of conceded temporary advantage ana apparent
expediency.
The minimum of federal government comPstip!e
with the maintenance of national unity ana eIaclent
action in our relations with the rest OF the world
Lo,l1 oe,r5 tho r,1le and measure of construction
of orr mowers under the general clauses of the con-
stitution spirit of strict Difference to the sover
ercipn rights and dignity OF every State rather than
dispositon to subordinate the States into provn-
ola, relation to the central authority, should charac
trze all our exercise of the respective powers tenn
norarily vested in us sacred trust from the gen
rrous confidence of our constituents.
In like manner, manfestly indispensable con-
diton of the perpetuation of the Union and of the
realization of that magnificent national future adver-
ted to- docs the duty become yearly stronger and
clearer upon u.s. citizens of the several States, TO
cultivate fraterna and affectionate spirit language
and conduct in regard to other States, and IN rela
ton to the varied interests, institutions and ma DTS
of sentiment and opinion, which may respectively
characterize them Mutual forbearance, respect anu
noninterference in our personal action as citizens,
an enlarged exercise of the most liberal principles
of comfy in the public dealings OF State with State
whether in legislation or in the execution OF laws,
are the means to perpetuate that confidence and fra
tcrntv, the decay of which, mere political union.
on so vast SCALE could not long survive.
In still another point of view, is an important
practical duty suggested by this consideration OF the
magnitude of dimensions to which our political sys-
tenn with its corresponding machinery OF govern
ment is so rapidly expanding With increased vlg-
lance does it REQUIRE cultivate the cardinal viz
tues of public rugaty and official integrity and pu
rty Public affairs ought to be so conducted thata
settled conviction shall pervade the entire Union
that nothing short of the highest tone and standard
of pubic morality marks every part of the admins
tration and legislation of the general government
Thus will the federal system, whatever expansion
time and progress may give it, continue more and
more deeply rooted in the love and confidence of the
people.
The wise economy, which is as far removed from
parsmony as from corrupt and corruptIng eXtrava-
cance-that single regard for the public good which
will frown upon all attempts to approach the treasu-
~ with nsdous projects of private interest cloaked
under public psete XtS,--that sound fiscal admins
traton which, in the legislative department, guards
against the dangerous temptations incident to
flowing revenue, and in the executive, maintains an
unSleepng wachfuness against the tendency of all
national expenditure to eXtravagance,-while they
are admitted elementary political duties, may,
trust be deemed properly adverted to and urged
in view of the impressive sense of that neceSs
~, which is directly suggested by the considerations
presented.
Since the adjournment of Congress- the Vice Pres
dent of the United States has passed from the scenes
of earth without having entered upon the duties of
the station to which he had been called by the voice
of his countrymen. Having occupied, almost con-
tinuousy, for than thirty years, scat in one
or the other of the two Houses of Congress, and
having, by his singular purity and wisdom, secured
unboundCd confidence and universal respect, his fail
ing health watched by the nation with painful
soicitude His loss to the country, under all the
circumstances, has been justly regarded as irrepara
b..
In compliance with the act of Congress of March
>, 1858, the oath of Office administered to him
on the 9th of that month, at Ariadne estate, near
Matanzas, in the island of Cuba; but his strength
gradually declined, and hardly sufficient to
bic him to return to his home in Alabama, where,
the eighteenth day of April in the most calm and
peaceful way, his long and emincntly useful career
was terminated.
Entertaining unlimited confidence in your intelli-
gent and patriotic devotion to the public interest,
and being conscious of no motives my part which
are not nseparable from the honor and advancement
of my country, hope it may be my privilege to de-
and secure, not only your cordial cooperation
in great public measures but also those relations of
mutual confidence and regard, which it is always SO
desirable to cultivate between members of cO-ordi-
nate branches of the government.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., December s. 1858.
GOVERNOR Johnson, OF TENNESSEE Andrew John
s'n the present patriotic democratic governor of the
ste of Tennessee, many of readelS know,
Is one OF the many of distinguished countrymcn
who styled ''selfmade men, who have at differ
ent periods been elevated to high legislative and
ecutve Offices by the popular will. The friends of
Goy johnson conccde the fact that he had very few
early advantages; that his opportunities for acqui
ring that knowledge which is deriv ed from the study
OF learned authors wcrein his youthful days extreme
ny limited and that the large stores of information
how possessed by him were obtained during hours |
|snatched from excessive mechanical toll Among !
reasonable, rejecting, and republican people men !
who the architects of their fortune are
valued more highly than those who have had great
scholastic and other advantages. A man reaching
distinction, unaided by fortune or learning is an un-
|crTng evidence of the possession of talents energy
and industry. Daniel Sheffey, of Virginia; Roger |
sherman, of Connecticut; Tristan Burgess, of Rhode
Island, General Charles T. James, at present SEN
|ator from the latter State, with host of Others
were selfmade men,; all of whom attained to en-
nence In their country SERVICE and will have their
names enrolled on the book of fame There are men
who slow to acknowledge the claims of citizens
who have so successfully combatted difficulties and
obstacles almost insurmountable. They even go SO
Far as to at and endeavor to cast rdcule upon
those who have obtained celebrity by their native
unpublished talent, indomitab!e WILL and untiring in
Eusty. But the good sense of the American people
pas and will, in all tme rcbuke these peculiarly
nice and sensitive gentlemen who can discover no |
merit IN citizen OF the republic unless he has had
he adventurous aid of wealth. family influence and
scholastic attachments. AS specimen of the hui
initiation felt and expressed by some of this class /
when men not SO fortunate in their early advantages
IS themselves exalted to high positions. we an
I n an arucie from the nashville Union. 1t is as
"WHG HUMIIATIoS Somebodv in C,oorc;o 81