The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-01-09

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hundred and fifty-seven thousand four hun
bred and nine acres, of which the portion
sold was fifteen million seven hundred and
twenty-nine thousand five hundred and
tw%enty-four acres, yielding in receipts the
sun ofkeleven million four hundred and
eighG live thousand three hundred and
eightyd6liars. In thesame period of time
eight million sevep hundred and twenty
three th~ousandeight hundred and fifty
four acres haze been surveyed, but in on
sideratiapJo Of the quantity already subject
to eatyy. no additional tracts have been
b-osgAt into market.
Tbe peculiar relation of the general
government to the District of Columbia
renders 1t proper to commend to your care
not only its material, but also its moral
interests, including education, more espe-
cialty in those parts Of the district outside
ofthe city Of Washington and Georgetown.
The, commissioners appointed TO revise
and modify the laws of the District nave
made such progress in the performance of
their task, as to insure its completion in
the time prescribed by the act Of Con-
Information has recently been received
that the peace of the settlements in the
Territories of Oregon and Washington is
disturbed by hostilities on the part of the
Indians, with indications of extensive COM
binatiens of a hostile character among
the tribes in that quarter, the more scri-
q in their possible effect by reason of
thenndetermined foreign interests exist
ingsinsthose Territories, to which your
attention has already been especially in
vited. Efficient measures have been ta-
k~eH,srwhich, it is believed, will restore
quiet; and afford protection to our citizens.
In the. territory of Kansas there have
been acts %prejulicial to good order, but as
yet.pone have occurred under circumstan-
ces to- justify the interposition of the fed
oral executive. That could only be in
.case of obstruction to federal law or of
organised resistance to territorial law, as
summing the caracter ofinsurrection, which,
lift should occur, it would be my duty
promptly to overcome and suppress. L
cherish the hope however that the occur
reace Of any snch unteward event will be
prefenrcd by the sound sense of the peo-
pie Of the territory, who, by its organic
Ian, possessing the right to determine
their own domestic institutions, are enti-
tied, while dcporting themselves peacefully,
t6e tile free exercise of thatright, andmust
be protected in the enjoyment of it, with
ont tinterferenco on the part of the citi-
xens of any of the States.
The southern boundary line of this ter
ritory has never been surveyed and estab-
lished- The rapidly extending settlements
iaathat region, and the fact that the main
route between Independence, in the State
Of Missouri, and New Mexico, is cohtlgu-
ousatp this line, suggest the probability
that embarrassing questions, may conse-
quently arise. For these and other con-
siderations, commend the subjectto your
attention.
CONSTITUTIONAL lee OF THE GOVERN
saeyza 81 MENT.
L have thus passed in review the gen.
erai state of the Union, including such
particular concerns of the federal govern
nlent. whether of domestic or foreign re-
latien, tas it appeared 10 me desirable and
usefalto bring to the special notice of
Congress. Unlike the great states of
Europe and Asia, and many of those of
america, these United States are wasting
their strength neither in foreign war nor
domestic strife. Whatever of discomfort
OF public dissatisfaction exists, is attribu-
table to the imperfections of human ma
turey or is incident to all governments,
however perfect, which human wisdom
can devise Such subjects of political
agitation, as occupy the public mind, con-
sists, to a great extent, of exaggeration
of inevitable evils or over zeal in social
improvement, OF mere imagination of
grievance, having but remote connection
Hfthsahy Of the constitutional functions
or duties of the federal government. For
Whatever extent these questions exhibit o
tendency menacing to the stability of the
constitution, or the integrity of the Union,
ana no further, they demand the consid-
Grafton of the Executive, and require to
Represented by him to Congress.
Before the thirteen colonies became a
confederation of Independent States, they
were associated only by community of
transatlantic origin, by geographical po-
sition, and by the mutual tie of common
dependence on Great Britain. When that
tie was sundered, they severally assumed
the powers and rights of absolute self
government. The municipal and social
institutions of each, its laws of poverty
and of personal relation, even its polili-
calforganization, were such only as each
one chose to establish, wholly without in
reference from any other. In the Ian
guage of the Declaration of independence,
each State had 'full power to levy war,
conclude peace, contract alliances, estab-
lishacommerce, aud to do all other acts
aud things which Independent States may
Of right do" The several colonies diff:
fered in climate, in soil, in natural pro
ductions, in religion, in systems of edu.
cation, in legislation, and in the forms o
political administration; and they contin