Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-12-07
Presidents Message.

10 the Sen 1ie and House of Representatives
ofhe United States of America
To express gratitude to God, in the name
~ the people, for the preservation of the
United States is my first duty in addressing
YOU. Our thoughts next revert to the death
81 the late President by the hand of par
ricidal treason. The grief Of the nation is
still fresh; it finds some solace in theconsid-
GRAFTON that he lived to enjoy the highest
proof Of its confidence bv entering on the
renewed term of the Chief Magistrscy, to
which he had just been elected; that lie
brought the civil war substantially to a
close; that his loss was deplored in all parts
Of the Union, and that foreign nations have
rendered justice to his memory. His re.
moval cast upon me heavier weight of
cares than ever devolved 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 depart
ments Of the government, and the support
and confidence Of the peopIe There is but
one way in which can hope tn gain their
necessary aid il is to state with frankness
the principles which guide my conduct, and
their application to the present state Of af-
fairs, well aware that the efficiency of my
labors will, in great measure, depend on
your aid and undivided appreciation.
The Union of the United States of Amer
ica was intended by its authors to last az
long as the States themselves shall last
THE Union shall he perpetual" are the
words Of the Confederation. ITO form a
more perfect Union" by an ordinance Of
the United States, is tho declared purpose
of the Constitution. The hand of Divine
! Providence whs never more plainly visible
in the affairs of men than in the framing
and adopting IF that instrument. 1t is, be-
yond comparison, the greatest event in
American history; and indeed, is it not. Of
all events in modern times, the most preg-
nant with consequences for every people of
the earth The members Of the Conven-
ton which prepared it, bronQht to their
work tho experience Of the Confederation,
Of their several States. and Of other Rerub-
lican Governments. old and new; bnt they
needed and they obtained wisdom superior
to experience. And when for its validity it
required the approval of people that occu
pied large part Of continent and acted
sennrately in MANY distinct conventions,
what is more wonderful than that. after
earnest contention and long discussion, all
feelings and all opinions were ultimately
drawn in one wav to its support?
The Constitution to which life was thus
impaired contains within itself annie re-
sources for its own preservation. It has
power to enforce the laws, punish treason,
and insure domestic Tranquility. In case
Of the usurpation of the Government Of
State by one man. oron oliparchy. it be-
comes q duty of the United Statcs to make
good the guarantee to that State Of a re-
publican form of government, and 50 to
maintain the homogeneousnes Of ALL
Does tho lapse Of time reveal defects? A
simple mode nf amendment is provided in
the Constitution itself ESQ that its cnndi.
tions can always be made to conform to the
requirements Of advancing civilization. No
room is allowed even for the thourht Of n
possibility of its coming TO an end. And
these powers Of self preservation have al
wsys heen asserted in their complete in.
tecritv bv every patriotic Chief Magistrate
Inv Jefferson and Jackson, not less than
bv Washington and Msdson The parting
advice of the Father Of his Country. while
vet President, to the people Of the United
States, was that "the free Constitution
which was the work Of their hands. might
be sacredly maintained" and the ipaugu-
raj words of President Jefferson held up
'the preservation Of the General Govern
ment in its constitutional vigor as the sheet
anchor of our peace at home and safety
abroad" The Constitution is the work Of
''the People of the United States" and it
should be as indestructihe as the people.
IL is not strange that the trainers Of the
Constitution. which had no model in the
past, should not have fully comrrchonded
the excellence Of their own work. Fresh
from struggle against arbitrary power,
many patriots suffered from farassing fears
OF an absorption Of the State Governments
by the General Government. and many
from n dread that the States would break
away from their orbits. But the very
greatness OF our country should allay the
apprehension of encroachmentS by the Gen
eral Government. The subjects that come
unquestionablv within its jurisdiction nre
so numerous thnt il must ever naturally
refuse to be embarrassed by questions that
lie beyond IT, Were it otherwise. the FIX
ocutive would sink beneath the burden; the
channels Of Justice would be choked; legis.
lation would be obstructed by excess; so
that there is n greater temptation tn exer.
else some of tho functions Of the General
Government through the States than TO
trespass on their rightfnl snhere. "The
absolute acquiescence in the discussion ofthe
majority" wns at the hoginning Of the CEN
tury enforced nv Jefferson "as the vital
principle Of republics" and tho events Of
tha last four years have established. we will
hope forever, that there lies no appeal TO
force.
The maintenance Of the Union brings
with it "the support Of the State Govern
ments in all their rights" hut il is not one
Of tho rights Of anv State Government to
renonnoe it's own nlace in the Union, or TO
nnllify the laws Of the Union The largest
liberty is to he maintained in the discussion
OF the acts of tho Federal Government (; but
there is no appeal from it's laws. except to
the various branches Of that Government
itself. or 10 the people, who grant TO tho
members Of Legislature and Executive De,
partments no tenure hut a limited one, and
IN that manner always retain the power Of
'"rhe sovereignty Of tho States" Is the
language Of the Confederacy, and not the
language Of the Constitution. The latter
contains tho emphatic words Tho Consti.
tuition, and the laws Of the United States,
which shall be made in pursuance thereof,
and all treaties made or which shall be made
under the authority OF the United States
shall be the supreme law of tho land and
the judges in every State shall be bound
thereby, ANYTHING in the constitution or
laws OF any State to the contrary notwith.
standing"
Certainly the Government Of tho United
Stats Is limited government aud 50 il