Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-01

by States, is twenty -four million ave hundred
and hftyseven thousand four hundred and
nine acres; Of which the portion sold vas ff-
teen million seven hundred and twenty nine
thousand five hundred and tva1ty-four acres,
yielding IN receipts the sum Of eleven million
four hundred and eighty-hve thousand three
hundred and eighty dollars In the same
period Of time, eight million seven hundred
and twenty three thousand eight hundred
and hfty-four acres have been surveyed but,
In consideration of the quantity already sub
Ject TO entry, no additional tracts have been
brought into market.
The peculiar relation Of the general gov
eminent to the District Of oolumbis renders
II proper TO commend TO your care not only its
material, but also its moral interests, inclu-
ding education, more especially in those parts
OF the district outside of the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown.
The commissioners appointed to revise and
codify the laws Of the District have made such
progression in the performance ct their taSS,
as TO insure its completion in the time pre-
scrlbed by the act of Congress.
Information has recently been received that
the peace of the settlements in the Territories
Si oregon and Washington is disturbed by
noStliltles on the part of the Indians, with in
ulcauOns OF extensive combinations of hos
ule character among the tribes in that quar-
yer, the more serious in their possible effect by
reason OF the undetermined foreign interests
existing in those Territories, TO which your at
Iention mas already been especially invited.
Enclent measures have been taken, which, il
! Is believed will restore quiet and afford pro-
lection to our citizens.
In the Territory Of Kansas, there have been
arts prejudicial to good order; but as vet mono
nave occurred under circumstances 10 Justify
the helnterpositiOn Of the federal Executive
Inaeeould only be in case of obstruction to
federal law, or Of organized resistance TO ter
ritoral law, assuming the character of insur-
rection, which, if it should occur, il would be
my duty promptly 10 overcome and suppress.
cherish the hope, however, that the occur
renee of any such untoward event will be pre
vented by the sound sense of the people Of the
Territory, who, by its organic law, possessing
the right to determine their own domestic in
stitutions, are entitled, while deporting them
selves peacefully, TO the free exercise of that
right and must be protected in the enjoy
ment of II, without interference on the part Of
the citizens Of any of the States.
The southern boundary line >of this Terri
tory has never been surveyed andAeStablished.
The rapidly extending settlement In that re-
glon, and the fact that the main route be-
tween Independence in the State Of Missouri,
and New Mexico, is contiguous TO this line,
suggests the probability that embarrassing
questions OF jurisdiction may consequently
-. Il
commend the subject TO your early attention.
CONSTITUTIONAL THEORY OF THE GOVERNMENT
L have thus passed in review the general
state of the Union, including such particular
concerns of the federal government, whether
OF domestic or foreign relation, as it appeared
to me desirable and useful to bring 10 the spe-
clal 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 do
mestic strife. Whatever Of discomfort or pub
lie dissatisfaction exists, is attributable 10 the
imperfectiOns Of human nature or is incident
to all governments, however perfect, which
human wisdom can devise. Such subjects Of
political agitation, as occupy the public mind
consist, 70 a great extent, Of exaggeration Of
inevitable evils, or over zeal in social improve
ment, or mere Imagination Of grievance, hav-
ing but remote cOnnexiOn with any of the con
stltutlonal functions or duties of the federal
government. To whatever extent these ques-
tiOns exhibit a tendency menacing to the sta
bility Of the constitution, or the integrity of
the Union, and no farther, they demand the
consideration Of the Executive and require TO
be presented by him to Congress.
Before the Thirteen Colonies became a con-
federation of independent States, they were
associated only by community of trans-atlan-
tic origin, by geographical position, and by
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 pro-
perty and Of personal relation, even its politi-
cal organization, were such only as each one
choose to establish, wholly without interfer-
ence from any other. In the language Of the
Declaration of Independence, each state had
" full power to levy war, conclude peace, con-
tract alliances, establish commere, and TO do
all other acts and things which independent
States may OF right do The several colonies
differed In climate, in soil, in natural produc-
tlons, In religion, In systems Of education, in
legislation, and in the forms of political ad-
ministration; and they continued to differ in
these respects when they voluntarily allied
themselves as States 70 carry on the war Of
the revolution.
The object of that war was 20 disenthraI
the United Colonies from foreign rule, which
had proved to be oppressive, and to separate
them permanently from the mother country:
the political result was the foundation of A
federal republic Of the free white men of the
colonies, constituted, as they were, in dis
tinct, and reciprocally independent State gov
ernments. As for the subject races, whether
Indian or African, the wise and brave states
men Of that day, being engaged in no eX-
scheme Of social change, left them
as they were, and thus preserved themselves
and their posterity from the anarchy, and the
civil wars, which have pro-
vailed in other revolutiOnized European colo
nies Of America.
When the confederated States found il con-
venient to modify the conditions Of their as
sociation, by giving TO the general government
direct access, in some respects, TO the people
Of the States, instead Of confning il to action
on the States as such, they proceeded to frame
the existing constitution, adhering steadily 10
one guiding thought, which was, to delegate
only such power as was necessary and proper
to the execution of specific purposes, or, in
other words, to retain as much as possible,
with those purposes, Of the inde-
pendent powers Of the individual States. For
objects of common defence and security, they
to the general government certain
functions, leaving all others
as the undelegated rights of the separate in
dependent sovereignties.
Such is the constitutional theory Of our
the practical observance Of which
has carried US, and US alone, among modern
republics, through nearly three generations
IF time without the cost Of one drop Of blood
she'd in civil war. With freedom and concert
IF action, it has enabled US to contend sue