Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-16


one hundred millions Of population EN-.
braced within the majestic proportion.
Of the American Union. II is not mere.
ly as an interesting topic Of speculation
that present these views for your con.
sideration. They have important prac-
teal bearings upon all the political du-
ties we are called upon to perform. =
Heretofore, our system of government
has worked on what may be termed a
miniature scale, in comparison with the
development, which it must thus assume,
within a future so near at hand, as
scarcely to be beyond the present Of the
existing generation.
Ii is evident that confederation so
vast and so varied, both in number and
in territorial extent, ia habits and in in
terests, could only be kept in national
cohesion by the strictest fidelity to the
principles Of the constitution, as under
stood by those who have adhered to the
most restricted construction of the pow
ers granted by the peopl, and the States.
Interpreted and applied according to
those principles, the great compact
adapts itself with healthy ease and Free
dom to ar unlimited extension of that
benign system Of federative selfgovern-
ment, of which it is our glorious and,
trI st, immortal charter. Let us, then,
with redoubled vigilance, be on our guard
against yielding 10 the temptation of the
exercesize of doubtful powers, even un-
der the pressure OF the motives OF con-
coded temporary advantage and appar-
ent temporary expediency.
The minimum offederal government,
compatible with the maintenance Of ma
tional unity and efficient action in our
relations with the rest Of the world,
should afford the rule and measure Of
construction of our powers under the
general clauses Of the constitution. A
spirit Of strict Difference to the sovereign
rights and dignity of every State, rather
than disposition to subordinate the
States into provincial relation to the
central authority, should characterize all
our exercises Of the respective powers
temporarily vested in us as sacred
trust from the generous confidence of
our constituents.
In like manner, as manifestly indis-
pensable condition Of the prepetuation
of our Union, and of the realization OF
that magnificent national future adyer-
ted to, does the duty become yearly
stronger and clearer upon US, as citizens
Of the several States, to cultivate fra
ternal and affectionate spirit, language,
and conduct, in regard to other State,
and in relation to the varied interests,
institutions, and habits Of sentiment and
option, which may respectively charac-
terize them. Mutual forbearance, re-
spect, and Northumberland in our per-
sonal action as citizens, AID an enlarged
exercise Of the mos; liberal principles of
comfy in the public dealings of State
with State. wherein legislation or in the
execution Of laws, are the means to per-
petuate that confidence and frat ernity.
the decay Of which mere political union
on so vast a scale, could not long survive
In still another point of view, it is an
important praciicle duty suggested by
this consideration of the magnitude OF
dimensions, to which our political sys-
TEN, with its corresponding machinery
of government, is so rapidly expanding.
With increased vigilence does it require
US 10 cultivate the cardinal virtues Of
public frugality and official integrity and
purity. Public affairs ought to be so
conducted that a settled conviction sbal |
pervade the entire Union, that nothing
short Of the highest tone and standard
Of public morality marks every part Of
the administration and Legislation of the
general government. Thus will the
federal system, whatever expansion time
and progress may give il, continue more
and more deeply rooted in the love and
coidence Of the people.
That wise economy, which is as far
removed from parsimony as from corrupt
and corrup.;ng extravagance,-that sim
gle regard for the public good, which
will flown upon ali attempts to approach
the treasury with insiIious projects Of
private interest cloaked under public
pretexts, that sound fiscal a1ministra-
ton, which in the legislative department,
guards against the dangerous tempsa-
tons incident to overlooking revenue,
and, in the executive, maintains an UNI
sleeping watchfulness- against the ten
dency Of all national expenditure to ex-
travagance, while they are admitted ele-
mentary political duties, may, I trust, be
deemed as properly adverted to and
urged, in view OF the more impressive
sense Of that necessity. which Is directly
suggested by the considerations now
presented.
Since the adjournment Of Congress,
the Vice President 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 continuously,
for moro than thirty years, a seat in one
or the other Of the two Houses OF Con-
gress, and having, by his singular purity
and wisdom secured unbounded conf
dence and universal respect, his failing
health was watched by the nation with
painful solicitude. His loss to the coun-
try under all the circumstances, has
been Justly regarded as rrearable.
In compliance with the act Of Con-
gross of-March 2, 1883, the oath Of
Office was administered to him on che
oath OF that month. at Ariedne estate,
near Mantanzas, In the island OF Cuba;
but his streapgth gradually declined,and
was hardly sufficient TO enable him 10
return to his home in Alabama, where.
on the eighteenth day Of April, In the
most calm aud peaceful way, his long
and eminently useful career was termi-
mated.
Entertaining unlimited cofdcnce In
your intelligent and patriotic devotion
TO the public interest, and being con-
sclous OF no motives on my part which
are not inseparable from the honor and
advancement of my country, I hope II
may BIO my privilege to deserve and Sc
cure, not only your cordial cooperation
In great public measures, but also those
relations Of mutual confidence and re-
gard, which Il is always so desirable 10
cultivate between members OF co-orli-
nate branches OF the government.
FRANK PIERCE.
WAsHIseros, ID. c., Dec. 5, 1888,
EE- An English letter, Of a recen,