The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellotc- Citizens of the Senate
and House of ReDresenf1fire,

States is my first duty in addressing you.
Our thoughts next revert to the death of the
late President, by an act of parricidal trea-
son. The grief of the nation is still fresh.
Il finds some solace in the consideration that
he lived to enjoy the highest proof of its con-
fdence, by entering on the relieved term Of
the Chief Magistracy, to which he had been
elected; that he brought the civil war sub
stantiaIly to a close; that his loss was de-
plored iii all parts of the Union, and that
foreign nations have rendered justice to his
memory. His removal cast upon me n
heavier weight of cares than ever devoved
upon any one of his predecessors. To fulfill
my trust ! need the support and confidence of
all who are associated with me in the various
departments of Government and the support
and confidence of the people There is but
one way IN which | can hope to gain their
necessary aid-it is TO state with frankness
the principles which guide my conduct, and
their application to the present state OF al
fairs, well aware that the efficiency of my la
bors will in great measure depend on your
and their undivided appreciation.
The onion of the United States of Ameri-
ca was intended bv its authors to remain as
long AS the States themselves shall last.
"The Union shall be perpetual, are the
words of the confederation to form more
perfect Union by an ordinance of the people
of the United States IS the declared purpose
of the Constitution. The hand of Providence
was never more plainly visible in the affairs
of men than in the framing and adoption of
that instrument 1t is beyond comparison
the greatest event in American history, and
indeed il is not of ali events in modern times
the most pregnant with consequences for eve
nv people Of the earth. The members OF the
Convention which prepared it brought TO their
work the experience of the Confederation of
their several States, and of other Republican
Governments. old and new. but they needed
and they obtained q wisdom superior to ex
perience; and when, for its validity, it re-
4uired the approval of people that occupied
q large part of a continent, and acted sepa-
rately in many distinct Conventions. which is
more wonderful. that after earnest and long
discussion all feelings and all opinions were
ultimately drawn in one way h its support.
The Constitution to which life was thus i'm
parted contains within itself ample resources
for its own preservation. 1t has power to en-
force the laws, punish treason and ensure do
mestic tranquility. In case of the usurpation
OF the Government of State bv one man or
an ohgarchy. it becomes a duty of the United
States to make good the guarantee to that
State of Republican form of Government,
of all. Does the lapse of time reveal de-
fects? A simple mode of amendments pro-
vided in the Constitution itself so that it
conditions can always be made 10 conform
TO the requirements of advancing civilization.
No room is allowed even for the thought of a
possibility OF its coming to an end. and these
powers OF self preservation have always been
asserted in their complete integrity BY every
patriotic chief magistrate, by Jefferson and
Jackson not less than Washington and Mad-
son. The parting advice Of the Father of his
country. while yet President to the people of
the United States. was that the free constitu-
ton, which was the work Of their hands.
might be sacredly maintained. and the in
augural words Of President Jefferson held mn
the preservation of the General Government
in its constitutional viger as the sheet anchor
of our peace at home and safety abroad. The
Tm;fed Sts - the York Of the people of the
tructibe a. the people. Ii is no wonder that
the trainers OF the Constitution which had no
model i'll the past should not have fully com.
pretended the excellence of their own work
Fresh from struggle against arbitrary pow
er, many patriots suffered from harrassinr
fears OF an absorption Of the State Govern.
ments by the General Government. and many
from the dread that the States would break
away from their orbits But thever greatness
of our country should alay the apprehension
of encroachments by the general Government
The subjects that come, unduestionaby.
within its jurisdiction are so numerous that II
must ever. naturally, refuse to be embarrassed
by questions that lie beyond it, We're il 9th.
wise. the executive would sink beneath the
burden. the channels of Justice would he
choked. legislation would be obstructed bv
excess, so that there is greater temptation
TO exercise some of the functions of the gen.
eral government through the States than TO
trespass on their rightful sphere The abso-
lutte acqmeseence IN the decision of the ma
Jorlty was at the beginning of the century en-
forced lv Jefferson as the vital principle of
republics, and the events of the lasl four wears
have established, we will hope forever that
there lies no appeal to force. The maintain
ance OF the Union brings with it the support
OF the State governments in all their rights.
but II Is not one of the rights of any State gov.
ernment to renounce its own place in the
Inion or TO nulliiy the laws of the Union.
Inc largest liberty IS TO be maintained in the
discussion OF the acts of the federal govern
ment, but there is no appeal from its laws.
except to the various branches of that gov.
ernment itself, or to the people who, grant
TO the members of the Legislature or
the Executive departments. no Tenure
but limited one. and in that manner
always retain the power of redress. The
sovereignty OF the States is the langnage of
the Contederacy and not the language of tho
constitution; the latter contains the emnhatic
wor1s, the Constitution and the laws Of the
United States, which shall be made in nursn.
ance thereof, and all treaties made or which
shall be made under the authority of tho
uited States shall be the supreme Inv ~
the land, and the judges in every State shall
be bound thereby. anything in the constitution
or laws OF any State to the contrary notwi,b
standing" ''"'
Certainly the Government of the rn;ted
States Is a limited Government and so I
every State Government a limited Govorn.
ment with US. This idea of Limitation snreads
through every form of administration gene
raj, State and municipal. and rests on ,ha
great distinguishing principle of the recopni
uou VI me rights OF man. The ancient Re.
puoh,s ABSORBED the individual rights in the
states, prescribed his religion and controlled
ms ACTIVITY The American system rests ON
the assertion OF the equal right of every man
to lie, liberty and the pursuit of hapn;nses.
toheeoom OF conscience, and to the cniiure and
exercise OF ali his faculties. Asa eoneea,o,oa
the State Government is limited a. r. tho
General Government in the interest If Tho
Cn.on; as TO the individual citizen. in tho
interest OF freedom, States with nronec linz.
tatlon OF power, are essential to the ex;st
snce OF the Constitution of the United States
AT the very commencement, wher, We asspn,ad
place among the powers of the earth tho
Declaration OF independence was adonted lrv