Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-23

GEO. MASON as Commissioners, to meet such as
might be appointed by the other States of the
Union. New YORK, however, had, as early as
July, 1882, moved in the matter, and clearly point
ed out the necessity for adopting the present form
of Government. New JERSEY had also suggested
to other States the idea of Extending the powers
of their Deputies to other objects than those of
commerce" and they seem to have acted upon it.
These facts prove (says the work referred to- that
the credit of producing the vital change in the
Government which gave being to our glorious Con-
stitution does not belong to any particular State
or individual, but resulted from the widespread
conviction of the wise and honest men and true
patriots with whom the country was blessed at that
critical and eventful period in its annals.
Hardly inferior, then, in Importance to the De-
claration Of Independence stands in history the
epoch of the Constitution of the United States !;
and hence our suggestion that the day of its adop
ton, like the Fourth Of JULY, ought to be celebrat
ed as a National Anniversary; since, on that oc-
casion, was brought about the consolidation of
Union, in which, said the Father Of his Country
most truly, is involved prosperity felicity, safe
ty, and perhaps our national existence
On the 9th of April, 1889, GEo. WASHINGTON
was publicly proclaimed to have been unanimously
elected PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, agree
ably to the Constitution and on the 30th of the
same month the President took the oath of office
and delivered his Inaugural Address. There are
passages in that Address which cannot be too often
or too earnestly impressed upon the minds and
hearts of the American people. Recurring to the
circumstances under which he had assumed the
high responsibility of the station, the PREsIRENT
said:
ct would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first
official act my fervent suppcatons to that Almighty
Being who rules the universe who presides in the
councils of nations and whose Provdential aids sup
ply every human defect that his benedicon may
to the liberties and happiness of the People Of the
United States Government instituted by themselves for
these essential purposes and may enable every nstru
ment employed in its administration to execute with
cess the functions allotted to his charge In rendering
this homage to the Great Author Of every public and
private good myself that it expresses your
timents not less than my own, those of my fellow
citizens large less than either No people can be bound
to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which
ducts the affairs of than the people of the
United States Every step which they have advanced
to the character Of independent nation to have
been distinguished by token OF Providential agen
and in the important revolution just accomplished in
the system of their united government the tranquil de-
/
communities from which the event has resulted cannot
be compared with the by which most Governments
have been established without return of pious graft
tude along with humble anticipation Of the future
blessings which the past seem to presage These rehec
ons arising Of the present crisis have forced them
selves too strongly my mind to be suppressed You
will join with me- trust in thinking that there
4 under the influence Of which the proceedings of new
and free Government more auspiciously commence
.It w1fi be ccnsistent with these croumstancce
and far more congenal with the feelings which actuate
fn -
measures the tribute that due to the talents the
rectude and the patriotism which adorn characters
selected to devise and adopt them In these honorable
qualifications behold the surest pledges that
side no local prejudices attachments, no separate
views nor party anmostes will misdirect the compre-
hensive and equal eye which ought to watch this
great assemblage of communities and interests so, on
another that the foundations Of national policy will
be laid in the pure and mmutabe principles Of private
morality, and tho emnence of free Government be
exemplifed by all the attributes which win the affec-
toRs Of its citizens and command the respect of the
world Idwell this prospect with every satisfaction
which ardent love for my country inspire, since
there is truth thoroughly established than that
there exists in the economy and course OF Nature
dssouble union between virtue and happiness, between
duty and advantage between the genuine maxims of
honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards Of
public prosperity and felicity since ought to be
less persuaded that the propous smiles of Heaven
expected nation that dsregards the eternal
rules Of order and right which Heaven itself has ordain
ed and since the preservation Of the sacred fire Of lib
ery and the destiny of the republican model of Govern
ment justly considered deeply perhaps finally,
saked the experiment entrusted to the hands of the
| American People,"