The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-12-15

forms in the manner of conducting the legal
business of the government are also much
needed; but as | have addressed you upon
both of these subjects at length before, have
only to call your attention to the suggestion
then made.
My former recommendations, In relation to
suitable provisions for various objects of deep
interest to the inhabitants of the District of
Columbia, are renewed. Many of these OBJ
jects partake largely of a national character,
and are Important independently OF Their re-
lation to the prosperity of the only eonsider''-
bic organized community IN the Union, en-
tirely unrepresented in Congress.
| have thus presented suggestions on such
subjects as appear to me to be OF particular
interest or importance, and therefore most
worthy of consideration during the short re-
naming period allotted to the labors OF the
present Congress.
Our forefathers of the thirteen United
Colonies, in acquiring their independence, and
in founding this Republic of the United States
of America, have devolved upon MS, their de-
scendants, the greatest and the most noble
trust ever committed to the hands of man,
imposing upon all, and especially such as the
public will may have invested for the time
being, with political functions, the most sa-
cred obligations. We have TO maintain lnvio-
late the great doctrine of the inherent right
of popular self government; to reconcile the
largest liberty of the individual citizen, with
complete security of the public order; to rem
der cheerful obedience to the laws of the land,
tounite in enforcing their execution, and to
frown indignantly,on all combinations TO re.
sist them; to harmopse 4 sincere and ardent
devotion to the institutions OF religious faith,
with the most universal religious federation;
| to preserve the lights of all by causing each
to respect those of the other; to carry forward
! every social improvement to the uttermost
| limit of human perfectibility, by the free ac-
ton of mind upon mind, not by the obtrusive
Intervention of misappled force; to uphold
the integrity and guard the limitations of our
organic law; to preserve sacred from all touch
of usurpation, as the very palladium of our
political salvation, the reserved powers of the
| several States and of the people; to cherish,
with loyal featy and devoted affection, this
Union, as the only sure foundation on which
the hopes of civil liberty rest; to administer
government with vigilant integrity and rigid
economy; to cultivate peace and friendship
| with foreign HallOnS, ana 10 ueWInu ana eA-
act equal justice from all, but to do wrong to
none; to eschew intermeddling with the ma
tional policy and the domestic repose of 9th.
er governments, and to repel it from our own;
never to shrink from war, when the rights
and the honor of the country call us to arms,
but to cultivate in preference the arts of peace,
seek enlargement of the rights of neutrality,
and elevate and llberaize the intercourse of
nations; and by such just and honorable
means, and such only, whilst exalting the
condition of the Republic, to assure to it the
legitimate influence and the benign authority
of great example amongst all the powers of
Christendem. atE
Under the solemnity of these convictions,
the blessing of Almighty God is earnestly in
voked to attend upon your deliberations, and
upon all the counsels and acts of the govern
ment, to the end that, with common zeal and
common efforts, we may, in humble submits
sion to the Divine will, cooperate for the
promotion of the supreme good of these
United States. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, December A, 1854