Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-12-14

OF annexation, spacious res ions of virgin and
| exhuberant soils, which are destined to swarn,
with the last growing and fast spreading mil. =,
Eons OF the race.
These considerations seem fully to Justify IN.
presumption that the law of population abons
stated, wll act with undiminished effect throuaS
at least the next half century and that thousands
OF persons who have already arrived at maturitv
and are now exercising the rights of freemen
Will close their eyes on the spectacle of more
than hundred millions of population embraced
within the majestic proportions of the Ameri..
can Union.
1t is not merely as an interesting topic of spe.-
Collation. that l present these views for Won,
consideration. They have important practical,
bearings upon all the political duties you are
called upon TO perform. Heretofore your sys-
tenn OF government has worked on what NAV be
termed miniature scale in comparison with the
Development which 1t must assume within
future so near at hand as scarcely TO be beyond
the present, the existing generation.
1t is evident that confederation so vast and
so vai led both in numbers and in territorial ex-
tension, inhabitants and interests, could only bs
kept in national cohesion by the strictest idei.
ty 10 the principles of the constitution as UNDER
stood by those who have adhered to a most re.
stricted construction Of the powers granted by
| the people and the State.
Interpreted and applied acc ording to these
principles, the great compact adapts itself with
healthy ease and freedom, to the unlimited ex-
tension Of tina. benign system Of federative self
government, Of which il is our glorious and,
trust, immortal charter. Let US then, with re-
doubled vigilance, be on our guard against yield.
ing to the temptation to the exercise of doubtful
powers, even under the pressure of conceded
| temporary advantage and apparent temporary
expediency. The minimum Of Federal govern
ment compatible with the maintenance OF inter-
4 nal unity and efficient action in our relations
with the rest of the world; the rule and mea-
sures of construction of our powers under tho
G neral clauses Of our constitutions; spirit Of
strict Difference to the sovereign rights Of every
stale. rather thar disposition TO subordinate
the states into provincial relation TO the Cell
tral authority, should characterize all exercise
! o. the respective pow ers temporarily veeted in
US, sacred trust from the generous confidence
of our constituents. 10 like m banner as mani
fast indispensable condition Of the perpetuation
of the Union, and the realization OF that magni-
ficent nation al future advertei to, SO does the
duty become yearly stronger and clearer upon
us citizens Of the several States, TO cultivate
a fraternal and ahectionate spirit, language and
conduct in regard to other States, in relation to
the varied interests, Institutions, and habits Of
sentiment and opinion, which may respectively
characterize them.
Mutual forbearance, respect, and non-inter-
ference in our personal actions as citizens, and
an enlarged exercise Of the most liberal orinsi-
plies Of comfy in the public dealings of State
with State. whether in legislation or the execu-
ton Of the laws the means o perpetuate that
confidence and Fraternity the decay of which, a
mere political union, on SO vast scale, could
: not long survive.
In still another point Of view there is an i'm
; portant practical duty suggested by this consid-
Grafton of the MAGNITUDE and dimensions to
which our political system with its correspond.
ing machinery of government is so rapidly ex-
tending With increased vigilance does it re-
quire us TO cultivate the cardinal virtues Of pub
lie frugaity and official integrity and purity.
Public affairs ought to be SO conducted that a
settled conviction shall perv ade the entire Union
that nothing short Of the hi hest tone & standard
of public morality marks every part of the ad-
ministra,ion aud legislation Of the General Co
vernment.
Thus will the Federal System, whatever ex.
pansion time and progress may give, continue
!, more and more deeply rooted in the love and
confidence Of the people. That wise economy
; which is as far removed from corrupt and cor
rupting extravaganza; that single regard for the
public good which will frown upon all attempts
to approach the Treasury with insidious projects
of private interests, cloaked under public pre-
: texts; that sound fiscal administration which, In
: the legislative department., guards against the
: dangerous temptations incident to overlooking
revenue and in the maintenance. Of unsleeping
y watchfulness against the tende Acy fall national
! expendi lure and extravagance-while these are
= admitted as elementary political duties they m az
= trust be deemed as properly adverted to ant
:, urged in view OF the more impressive sense Of
that necessity which is directly subjected by
: the consideration 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 also continuously for more than thirty
. years a seat in one or thu other of the two hou.
y SEES OF Congress, and having by his singular pu.
= rty and wisdom secured unbounded confidence
: and universal respect, his failing health was
e watched by the nation with painful solicitude
!. His loss 10 the country under all the circumstan
ces has been justly regarded as irreparable. II
= compliance with the act of Congress; of Marcel
End, 1852, the oath Of Office was administered Il
him on the 18th Of that month at Ariadne Estate
near Matanzas, in the Island of Cuba, but hi
= strength gradually declined and was hardly sufl
:, Gent to enable him to return TO his home il
4 Alabama, Were on the 18th day of April, in
: most calm asd peaceful way, his long and emf
" nentlv useful career was terminated.
!, Entertaining unlimited confidence in your int
: ligence ana patriotic devotion to the public in.
. rest, and being conscious Of no motives on my
part, which are not inseparable from the honor
. and advancement of my country, l hope it may
! be my privilege to deserve and receive not only
. your own cordial cooperation in great public
! measures.but also those relations of mutual con
). fidence and regard, which it is always so desi-
), rable to cultivate between members of co-ordi
!. dinate branches Of government.
. FRANKLIN PIERCE.