The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-08

by the general government, which want OF time at
the close of the last session prevented my submit
tnu ON the return to the House of Representatives,
with objections of the bill entitled an act making
appropriations for the repair, preservation and COM
pteton of certain public works heretofore COM
menced under authority of law :" but the space in
this communication already occupied with other
matter of immediate public exigency constrams me
TO reserve that subject for special message, which
will be transmitted to the two houses OF congress
at an early day.
The judicial establishment of the United States
REQUIRES modification, and certain reforms in the
manner of conducting the legal business of the go
yernment are also much needed but as / have adj
dressed YOU upon both of these subjects at length
before have only to call your attention to the sug
pestions then made.
Nv former recommendations, in relation to suit
able provision for various objects of deep interest to
the inhabitants of the District of Columbia are re-
newed. Many of these objects partake largely of
a national character, and Important, independ-
entity of their relation to the prosperity of the only
considerable organized community in the Union, en-
tirely unrcpresented in Congress.
have thus presented suggestions such sub
jects appear to to be of particular interest
Importance, and therefore most worthy of consider
alton during the short remaining 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 us, their descendants, the greatest
and the most noble trusts 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 sacred
obligations. We have to maintain inviolate 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 pub
lie order; to render cheerful obedience to the laws
of the land, to unite in enforcing their execution
and frown Indignantly on all combinations to re-
sist them; to harmonic sincere and ardent devo-
ton to the Institutions of religious faith with the
most universal religious federation to preserve the
rights of all by causing each to respect those of the
ether to carry forward every social improvement
to the uttermost limit of human perfcctibility by
the free action Of mind upon mind, not by the OBJ
trllsive Intervention of msapplied 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 political salvation, the
reserved powers Of the several States and Of the
people; to cherish, with loyal fealty and devoted
affection this Union as the enlv sure foundation on
which the hopes of civil liberty rest; to administer
government with vigilant integrity and rigid econo-
nv to cultivate peace and friendship with foreign
nations and to demand and exact equal Justice from
all, but to 90 wrong to none; to eschew informed
ding with the national policy and the domestic
pose Of other governments and to rcpel it from
own; never to shrink from war when the rights and
the honor of the country calls us to arms, but to
cultivate in preference the arts of peace, seek
Judgement OF the rights of neutrality and elevate
and liberalize the intercourse of nations; AMI by
such Just and honorable means and such only whilst
exatng the condition of the Republic, to assure to
it the Legitimate influence and the benign authority
of great example amongst all the powers of
ChristendOm.
Under the solemnitv of these convictions, the
blessing Of Almighty God is earnestly invoked to
attend upon your deliberations and upon all the
counscls and acts of the Government, to the end
that with common zeal and common efforts, we
may, in humble submission to the Divine will CO.
operate for the promotion Of the supreme good of
these United States.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, Dec. (, 1854.