Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1865-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Of the Senate and


To exnress gratitude to God, in the name OF
the people for the preservation of the United
States is my first duty in addressing you
Our rhnughis next revert to the death of the
late President by an act of parrieidal treason.
The grief of the nation is still fresh; Ii iinds
some solace in the consideration that he lived
10 enjoy the highest proof OF ITS confidence
bv entprIny on the renewed term of the Chief
Naristracy, to which he had been elected;
thai he bI GU sht the civil war substantially TO
a close; that his loss was deplored IN all
parts of the Union; aud that foreign nations
have rendered justice 10 his memory. his re
moyal cast upon me a heavier weight oi cares
that ever devOlyed upon any one of his pre-
decsssors To fulfill my trust need the sup
port and confidence of all who are associated
with Inc in the various departments of gov
ernnent, and the support and confidence of
the people There is but one way IN which l
can hope to gain their necessary aid; II Is,
TO state with frankncss the principles which
guide my conduct, and their application to the
Uresent state of affairs, well aware that the
efficiency Of my labors will, Ia great meas
ure. depend on your and their undivided ap-
probation.
Tn. Union Of the United States OF America
was intended by its authors to last as long as
,he States themselves shall last. '.The Union
GRAFTON. s.ro form more perfect tJiOa." by
MI ordinance of the people of the United
States, is the declared purpose Of the Consti-
tu.ion. The hand of Divine Providence was
never more plainly visible in the affairs of
men than i'll the framing aud the adopting OF
that instrument. Ii is, beyond COMPARISON,
the greatest event in Aaerican history; and
iadeed is it not, of all events in modern times
the most pregnant with consequences for every
people of the earth The members OF Con
yenijon which prepared it brought to Their
work the experience Of the Confederation, oil
their several States, and of other Republican
governments. old and new: but they needed
,nd they obtained a wisdom superior to eX-
rcrience. And when for lis validity 1t re-
quired the approval Of 4 people that occupi-
ed large par; OF a continent and acted sep
sratcly in many distinct conventions, what IS
more wonderful than that, after earnest con-
tention and long discussion, all feelings and
all opinions were ultimately drawn IN one
way TO its support?
The Constitution to which life was thus I'M
parted contains within itself ample resources
Tor it's own preservation. /; has power to en-
force the laws, punish treason. and insure
domestic tranquility. In case of the Gnsur-
patton Of the government of State BY one
mar. or an oliglrchy, it becomes a dairy Of
the United States TO make good the guaran-
zee to that State Of republican form Of
government and so to maintain the hOmoge
neousness of all. Does the lapse of time re-
veal defects? A simple mode Of amendment
is provided in the Constitution itself, SO that
lis conditions can always bc made TO con-
:,rm 10 the requirements of Advancing cITlll-
zation No room is allowed even for the
thought OF q possibility Of its coming TO an
end. And these powers OF ss.f-preseryatlon
nj ~, tl,ai-
,ntcrrity bT every patriotic Chief Magistrate
-by jefferson and Jackson, not less than by
Washington and Madison. The parting ad
vice of the Father of his Country, while yet
President, TO the people Of the United States,
vas that .'the free Constitution, which was
,be work OF their hands, might be sacredly
moiptained;" !" and the inaugural words of
President jefferson held up the preservation
Of the general government, in its constltu-
.ional yicor, as the sheet anchor Of our peace
s., home and safety abroad" The COnstiu
,ion Is the work Of 'the people of the United
s:ates." and it should DE as indestructible as
rho people -.
nj not strange that The trainers OF the
Constitution. which had no model, in the past
.hould not have fully comprehended the ex-
e,llence of their own work. Fresh from
struggle against arbitrary power, many patri-
c,s suffered from harassing fears OF an abb
,orn.ion of the State governments by the gen
.rai government. and many from dread
that the States would break away from their
orbits. But the very greatness of our coun-
,rv should aliay the apprehension of encro-
.cbments by the general government. The
,,h;.cts that come unquestionably WITHIN It's
jurisdiction are so numerous that must ever
,,otrrallv refuse to he embarrassed by qnes-
sons that lie beyond it. We're it otherwise
ths Executive would sink beneath.the burden.
tb. channels of justice would be choked !;
Ior;.Istion would be obstructed by excess; so
ma, there is a greater temptation to exercise
.nu,e of the functions of the general govern
,nopt through the States than to trespass on
their rightful sphere. 1.-The absolute acqui-
.sccnce in the decisions of the majority, vas,
., the beginning of the century, enforced by
Jsae-sou .sas the vital principle OF republics,
...na the events of the last four years have
s,tablsed, we will hope forever, that there
fiss no appeal to force. =,
Tho maintenance of the Union brings with
:, .the support of the State governments IN
al ,heir rights" but it is not one of the rights
.,f any State government to renounce its own
,,,,ee In the Union, or to nullify the laws Of
:ho Union. whe largest EHevtJ - .. Ne
.,,iY,aipsi ~ ;as discussion OF IS arfs G..