Washington sentinel., 1853-12-07

through
out the confederacy That this repose is TO suhc
no shock during my official term, If have powe
TO avert II, those who placed me here may be as
sured. The wisdom Of men, who knew what in
dependence cost-who had put oil at stake upoI
Inc issue OF the revolutionary struggle-disposet
OF the subject 10 which refer, in the only way
consistent with the Union Of these States, and with
the march ofpower and prosperity which has made
us what we are. II is significant fact, that from
the adoption of the Constitution until the officers
and soldiers of the revolution had passed 10 their
graves, or, through the nfrmities of age and
wounds, had ceased TO participate actively in pab-
lie affairs, there was not merely quiet acquss-
cence in, but prompt vndication of the con,ti-
tutonal rights of the States The reserved pow
ers were scrupuously respected. No STATESMAN
put forth the narrow views of casusts TO juaify
interference and agitation, but the spirit of the
compact was regarded as sacred in the ere of
honor, and indispensable for the great experiment
of civil liberty which. envroned by inherenttli fl
culties, was yet borne forward in apparent weak
ness by power superior TO all obstacles here
is no condemnation, which the voice Of fredom
will not pronounce upon us. should we provetaith-
less TO this great trust.
While men inhabting different parts Of ths vast
continent can no more be expected 10 hdd the
same opinions, or entertain the same sentiments,
than every variety of climate or soil can be ex-
pected TO furnish the same agricultural ppdncts,
they can unite in a common object andsustan
! common principles essential to the maintenance
of that object. The gallant men Of the s,uth and
the north could stand together during the struggle
| OF the Revolution; they could stand together in
the more trying period which succeeded the clan
| gor Of arms. As their united valor vas adequate
to all the trials of the camp and hngers of the
feld so their united wisdom proves equal TO the
greater task Of founding, upon dep and broad
basis institutions, which il has beeA sur privilege
to enjoy, and will ever be our most sacred duty
TO sustain, II is but the feeble expression of
| faith strong and universal 10 say tht their sons
| whose blood mingled SO often upon be same field
during the war of 1872 and who hive more re-
/ Gently borne in triumph the flag d the country
upon foreign soil, will never peIhit alienation
| of feeling TO weaken the power d their united
| efforts, internal dissensions I'd paralyze the
great arm of freedom, uplifted for he vindcation
of selfgovernment,
/ have thus briefly presented sch suggestions
| as seem to me especially worthyf your consid-
Grafton. In providing for the pesent, you can
| hardly fail TO avail yourselves Of the light, which
the experience OF the past casts pom the future.
| The growth of our population hs now brought
us, in the destined career of ourHationa history,
TO point at which il well behodes us 10 expand
our vision over the vast prospective.
! The successive decennial retlns Of the census
since the adoption of the Constitution, have reveal
ed law of steady progresFe development,
which may be stated, in generalterms, as dupli-
cation every quarter century. Carried forward,
| from the point already reached, for only short
period of time as applicable ohe existence Of a
| nation, this law of progress unchecked, will
bring us TO almost incredible Isuts. A large al
lowance for diminished propdional effect OF emf
grafton would not very materify reduce the esti-
| mate, while the increased aveAge duration Of hu-
| man life, known TO have arehy resulted from the
scientific and hygienic impr%ements Of the past
| fifty years, will tend TO keep PIP through the next
fifty, or perhaps hundred, the hme ratio of growth
which has been thus revealedn our past progress
and TO the influence of these .auses may be added
the influx oiaboring massesfpm eastern Asia to the
Pacific side ofour possessioS, together with the
probable accession of the pPplaions already ex-
listing in other parts Of ouI hemisphere, which,
within the period in questios will feel, with year
ly increasing force, the mural attraction of so
vast, powerful, and prosperous confederation of
seltgoverning republics, ad will seek the privi-
lege OF being admitted whin its safe and happy
bosom, transferring with themselves, by peace
ful and healthy process of Incorporation spacious
regions of virgin and extberant soil, which are
destined TO swarm with tls fast-growing and fast
spreading millions of our ace.
These considerations Tem fully TO Justify the
presumption, that the lsw oi population above
stated will continue tolact with undiminished
effect, through at least,the next half century
and that thousands of ersois who have already
arrived al maturity, and are now exercising the
rights of freemen, will cose heir eyes on the spec
tacle gilmore than one lundred millions Of popu-
laton embraced withinlhe majestic proportions of
the American Union II is not merely as an inter
| esting topic of speculation that present these
views for your consideration. They have impor-
tant practical bearing upon all the political duties
we are called upon 4 perform. Heretofore, our
system of government has worked on what NAV
be termed miniature scale, in comparison with |
the development, ,whid il must thus assume within |
future near at hhd, as scarcely to be beyond |
the present of the exiting generation.
II is evident that a,onederation so vast and so |
varied, both in numbfs and in territorial extent in
habits and in interess, could only be kept in ma
tional cohesion by te sctest fidelity TO the prin-
ciples of the Constitution, understood by those |
who have adhered the most restricted construc- |
ton fthe powersrarted by the people and the |
States. Interpretehndap applied according to those
principles, the grd compact adapts itself with
healthy ease and fedom 10 an unlimited exten-
sion of that benig system of federative selfgo-
vernment, of whh II is our glorious and, trust
immortal charterl Let us, then, with redoubled |
vigilance, be onpr guard against yielding 10 the !
temptation of thdxercise ofdoubtful powers. even
under the presSre of the motives of conceded
temporary advahge and apparent temporary ex-
pediency.
The minmY Of federal government, compati-
BILE with the fantenance Of national unity and
efficient actonn our relations with the rest fthe
world shoubaford the rule and measure of con-
structon ofhr powers under the general clauses
of the Conftution. spirit of strict Difference
to the sovchgn rights and dignity of every State,
rather than disposition to subordinate the States
into prohcial relation TO the central authority.
should hcterize all our exercise Of the rcspec-
tive pows temporarily vested in us as a sacred
trust froHhe generous confidence of our con-
stituentsi
In likImanner as manifestly indispensable
conditiop Of the perpetuation of the Union, and Of
the ealAtion Of that magnificent national future
adverteto does the duty become yearly stronger
and cle'er upon us, as citizens of the several
Statesp cultivate fraerna and afectionate
spirit, fnguage, and conduct, in regard TO other |
Statesind in relation to the varied interests, in
stitutns, and habits OF sentiment and opinion, |
whicpnay respectively characterize them. Mu-
tual clearance, respect, and non-interference in
our Hsonal action as citizens, and an enlarged
exerte OF the most liberal principles Of comfy
in thIpubic dealings ofState with State, whether
in leislatioe or in the execution of laws, are the
meals TO Pepetuate that confidence and frater-
niys the deay of which a mere political union.
on so vast gale, could not long survive.
In still anotsr point of view is an important
hrnGneai m auay Tggested by this consideration of
cal system, wtks corresponding machinery of
govern goselnenrl rapidly expanding With in
creased ere vigilance Ses it require us to cultivate
the cardinal vlrtnest public frugaty and Official
integrity and purity. yublic affairs ought 10 be so
The ent;re IJn;on ,bat conviction shall pervade