Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-12-15

chsfacter Lot us, then, with redoubled vigi-
ience, be on our guard against yielding to the
temptation OF the exercise OF doubtful powers, |
even under the pressure of the motives of con-
coded temporary advantage and apparent tempo
rsry cxpediency.
The minimum Of federal government, com
patibe with the maintenance OF national unity
and Efficient action in our relations with the
rest Of the world, should afford the rule and mea-
sure Of construction OF our powers under the
general clauses of the constitution. A spirit Of
strict Difference TO the sovereign rights and Dig
nifty Of every state rather than disposition b.
subordinate the states into provisional rela-
tion to the central authority, should character
ise all our exercise Of the powers temporarily
vested in us as a sacred trust from The generous
confidence Of our constituents
In like manner, as mnniiesiy indispensable
condition Of the perpctuatior Of The Union, and
nj tho realisation III chat magnificent national
future adverted TO. docs she eaty become yearly
stronyer and clearer upon ns, rs citizens OF the
several states. 10 cullvate iraternal and afiec
.ionate spirit. language, and conduct, IN regard
20 other states and 10 relation to the varied in
terests. institutions, and habits OF sentiment
and opinion, whth may respectively character
ize them Mutual forbearance, respect, and
non-interference in our personal action as
citizens, and an enlarged exercise Of the most
liberal principles Of comfy in the public deal
ings Of state with state, whether in legislation
or in the execution of laws, are the means to
perpetuate that confidence and fraternity the
decay of which mere political union, on 80
vast a scale, could not long survive.
In still another point of view, is an impor-
tant practical duty suggested by this consdera-
ton Of the magnitude Of dimensions, 10 which
our political system. with its corresponding ma
chinery Of government, is SO rapidly expanding
With increased vigilance does it require US to
cultivate the cardinal virtues of public frugality
and official integrity and purity. Public affairs
ought to be conducted that a settled conyic-
TIN shall pervade the entire Union, that moth
ing short Of the highest tone and standard Of
public morality marks every part OF the admin
istration and legislation Of he general govern
ment. Thus will the federal system, whatever
expansion time and progress may give it, con-
tinue more ard more deeply rooted In the love
aud confidence Of the people
That wise economy, which is as far removed
from parsimony as from corrupt and corrupting
oxravagance, that single regard for the public
good, which will frown upon all attempts to
approach the treasury With insidious projects Of
private interest checked under pretexts.--that
sound financial Administrations which, in thclegis-
lative department guards against the dangerous
temptations incident to oycriowng revenue, and,
in the executive, maintains an unslceping watch
fulncss against the tendency OF all national ex-
penditure to extravaganza, while they are id
mittcd elementary political duties, may. trust,
be deemed as properly adyorted TO and urged, in
view Of the more Impressive sense OF that ne
cessity, Which is directly suggested by the con-
sideratOns now presented.
Since the adjournment of congress, the Vice
President of the United States has passed from
the scenes of earth, without having entered up
on the station to Which he had been called by
the voice Of bis countrynan Having occupied
almost continuously, for more than thirty years,
scat in one in the other of the two houses
of congress, and having, by his singular purity
and wisdom, secured unb0unded confidence and
universal respect, his failing health was watched
by the nation with painful solicitude His loss
TO the country, under all circumstances, has
been justly regarded irreparable.
In compliance with the act of congress Of
March ., 1858, the oath of Office was admins
tered to him on the oath Of that month, at Ari
adne estate near Matanzas in the island of Gu
ba; but his strength gradually declined and
was hardly sufficient TO enable him to return to
his home in Alabama, where, on the eighteenth
day of April, in the most calm and peaceful
way, his long and eminently useful career was
terminated.
Entertaining unlimited confidence in your in
telligent and patriotic devotion to the public
interest, and being conscious of no motives ON
my part which are not inseparable from the hon
os and advancement of my country. hope 1t
may be my privilege to deserve and secure not
only your cordial cooperation in great public
measures, but also those relati ms Of mutual
confidence and regard, which it is always so de-
srabe to cultivate between members OF co-ordi-
nate branches of the government
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, d. c., Dec 5, 1858.