New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

RIIRLSENIAlI'Es; ., - ofl
To oxnrcss gratitude to God, in the name 4"
.e people for the preservation OF the oni'cu ''''
.,v qrst duty in addressing you. Our thousn'' nON
-. % tho death of the late President by III "o' -
.or;oidsl treason. The grief OF tho NATION =. ''."
- I, finds some soace in the consideration '""' '
,0a 20 enioy the highest proof oil It's cohhucnoo ~
.,ov, on The renewed term Of the Cmei MasiSNa0!'
h;aI hs had been elected; that he brought the cNn
Substantially to close; that his loss was deporeu
ats of the Union; and that foreign NATIONS nave
.rdere Justice to his memory. His removal east upon
-. heavier weight OF cares than ever devoyed upon
ono If bis PREDECESSORS TO ful6ll my trust need
a. nrrort and confidence of all who arc associated
Nth me in the various departments oil Government
and the support and confidence of the people Ihere
INT one way in which can hope TO gain their heces'
sary aid it is TO state with fraIknesS the plheipeS
xbch guide my conduct, and their application 10 inc
present state Of Affairs well aware that the efficiency "
INV labors will. in great measure. depend OIL your
and their undivided appreciation
The Union of the United States Of America was III
tended BY its authors TO last long as the states ''
selves shall last "TIE UNION SHALL Bf FtuLi'A a"
are the words Of the Confederation. 10 foA' 'o.'
PERFECT UNION" by an ordinance OF 'he p'opeo "a ''
limited States is the declared purpose OF 'he Oonsu
finn The hand of Divine Providence was never "ioIo
,a;nlv visible in the affairs Of men than IN the framing
and the adopting of that instrument 1t If, beyoAd
.omnarisou the greatest event IN American msloTNi
and indeed is il not of all events OF modern times Ihe
most pregnant Of consequences for every people OF the
eerthf The members Of the Convention when pre-
psred IT, brought to their work the experience oil the
Confederation Of their several States and OF oIher he
publicau Governments old and andsn but they
needed and they obtained wisdom superior TO expert
euce And when for its validity il required the approx
al of people that occupied large part OF continent
and acted separately in many distinct conventions
what more wonderful than that after earnest conen'
ton and long discussion, all feelings and all opinions
were ultimately drawn in one way to its supports
The Constitution to which life was thus Impaired
contains within itself ample resources for its own pres
erystiop. It has power 10 enforce the laws punish
treason and insure domestic tranquility. In case OF
the usurpation of the Government Of State by one
man or an oligarehy, it becomes duty of the United
States to make good the guarantee to that State Of
republican form Of government and so TO maintain the
Aomogenecusness of all Does the lapse of tine reveal
defects simple mode Of amendment is provided in
the Constitution ITSELF that its conditions can always
be made to conform 10 the requirements OF advancing
civilization No room is allowed for the thought
Of possibility of its coming 10 an end. And these
powers of seprservatiOn have always been asserted
in their complete integrity by every patriotic Chief
Magistrate-by Jefferson and jackson, not less than
BY Washington ana Madison. The parting advice Of
the Father of his Country while yet President TO the
people Of the United States was that the free Const
tuition, which the work of their hands. might be
sacredly maintained;" and the inaugural words OF
President jefferson held up 1.-The preservation Of the
General eTment in It's constitutional yigor as the
sheetaDohOr OF peace home and safety abroad.
The Constitution is the work Of the People OF tho
United States and IL should be az iDdestructble "a
the people.
which had 40 model in the past, should not have full
eomprehended the excellence OF their own WORK
Fresh from struggle AGAINST arbitrary po%ey, man
OF the State tovernments by the General Government
and many from dread that the States would brea
away from their orbits But the very greatness OF OF
country shoud aay the apprehension OF encr0achmen
by the General Government The subjects mat con
unquestionaby within Its jurisdiction are 80 Dumero
that il naturally refuse TO be embarrassed
questions that lie beyond it. Were il otherwise Il
Executive would sink beneath the burdens the chai
Dels OF justice would be choked; legislation would
distracted by excess; SO that there Is greater emp
tiOn 10 exercise some OF the functions Of the Gener
Government through the States than 10 trespass o
their rightul sphere The absolute aeGuieseencc
the decisions OF the majority" was the beginning
the century enforced 6y jefferson as the vital princ
pie OF republics" and the Of the las yea
have estabishedwe will hope forever-that there liz
no appeal TO force.
support of the State Governments in all their rights
but 1t not of the rights of any State GosernmeI
70 renounce its own place in the Union. or to Dpy Il
laws Of the Union. The largest liberty il 10 be mai
taiDed in the discussion OF the acts Of the Federal
eminent; but there is no appeal from its laws. except
the various branches Of that Government itself or
the people. who grant 10 the members Of the Legisl
tiye and OF the Executive Depart menis tenure but
limited one and in that manner always retain the pos
ers OF redress.
The sovereignty of the States" is the language,
the COnfederacy and not the language Of the COnst
ton. The Inter contains the emphatic words: " ii
Constitution. and the laws of the United States vG
shall be made in pursuance thereof and all treati
made or which shall be made under tho authority OF Il
Omitted States. shall be toe supreme law Of the lant
and the judges in every State shall be bound tbereb
anything in the constitution laws of any State ~ ID
contrary notwithstanding"
Certainly the Government of the United States is
limited government; and so is every State goyeruel
limited government. With u.s. this idea of iimitatit
spreads through every form Of administration genera
State. and municipal, and rests the great dist
gushing principle OF the recognition Of the rights
man. The ancient republics absorbed the indvidu
IN the State prescribed his religion, and controlled
activity The American system rests the assertio
ef the equal right of every to life liberty and th
pursuit Of happiness TO freedom Of conscience to tn
culture and exercise Of all his faculties As cons
quence, the State Government is limited, TO the Ger
eral Government in the interest Of Union. the IL
diyidual citizen in the interest of freedom.
States. with proper limitations Of power are essen
tal to the existence Of the Constitution of the Unite
States. AT the very commencement, when we assumes
aplace among the Powers Of the earth the Declaration
OF independence was adopted by States; also wer
the Articles Of COnfedcration and when 1.-The PeOpl
VI the United States ordained and established til,
Constitution IL was the assent Of the States, b.
one. which gave il vitality. In the event. too OF an
amendment to the Constitution the proposition of Con
Hress needs the confirmation Of States Without
States one great branch Of the legislative government
would DC wanting. And if we look beyond the letter
Of the Constitution TO the character Of country IT'D
capacity ior comprchending within its jurisdiction
vast continental empire is due 10 the system OF States
The best security for the perpetual existence of the
states ~ the supreme authority Of the Constitution
Of the United States. The perpetuty of the Constitu.