Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Ffur-eiti.en, of ht !Scnnte

Our thoughts next revert TO the death OF the
late President by an act of parrlctdal treason
The grief of the nation is still fresh; it finds
soInP sOIacc in the consideration that ne lived
TO enjoy the highest PROOF OF ITS CONFIDENCE by
cistracv 10 which he had been elected that he
brought the civil war substantially 70 a close;
that his loss was dCrlOred in all parts of the
Union; and that foreign nations have rendered
Justice 70 his memory.
HIS removal cast upon ne heavier weight
Of cares than ever GevolvPd upon any one CT
his pTedC cessors. To fulhI my trust need tha
fUppOIt and cOufidFnce of all who asSoci-
ated with me in the various departments Of
Government. ana the support and confidence
Cf the people. There is but one way in which
can hope to CaIn their necessary aid; il is, 10
state with tTauknCsS the principles which guide
my conduct. and their application 10 the pre-
sent state of affairs, well aware that the effi-
ClenCy &c my labOTs Will, in great measure,
depend on your and their undivided approba-
ton.
The Union Of the United States of America
was intended by its authors TO last a. long as
the States themselves shall last. ''THE UNION
SHALL III PERPETUAL are the words of the
Confederation. To FORM A MORE PERFECT
JSIoE," by an ordinance OF the people of the
United States, Is the declared purpose of the
Constitution. The hand of Divine Providence
was never more plainly visible In the affairs
q men Jnan in the framing and adopting of
that instrument. Itis, beyond comparison, the
greatest event il American history; and indeed
y II not, Of all events OF modern times, the
NEST pregnant with consequences for every
people Of the earth.
I he members Of the Convention which pre-
ldTSO 10. brought 10 JnelT "Ofk Lne experience
of the Confederation, of their several States,
ard Of OGher Republican Governments, old and
EeT, but they needed and they obtained a wis
dom superior TO experience. AnAwhen for It's
validity II required the approval of a people
that occupied a large part Of continent and
acted separately ia many distinct conventions
what is more wonderful than that, after earn
est contention aud long discussion, all feelings
and all opinions were ultimately drawn in one
way - lis suppOrtl
The CONSTITUTION 10 which life was thus i'm
parted contains within itself ample resources
Tor Its own preservation. II has power to en-
force the laws, punish treason, and ensure
domesuC tranquility In case CT the usurpa-
tCn Of The Government of a State by one man
or an ohgarchy- II becomes duty of The Uni
ted States 10 make good the guarantee 10 that
State of a Tepu bIIcau form Of government, and
TO maintain the hOmogcHsoGsngss of all
Does the lapse of time reveal defects! A simple
MODE Of amendment Il provided in the COnsti-
tuition itself. so that its conditions can always
be made 10 conform 10 the requirements of ad-
van ing civilization No room L. allowed even
for the thought If possibility of it's coming TO
end.
And these powers of self-preservation have
always been asserted in their complete integ-
rI;y BY every patriotic Chief MaEistTate-Oy
Jefferson and Jackson. not less than bY Wash
lngton and Madison. The parting advice OF
the Father Of his Country, while yet President,
10 the people of the United States, was. that
"the free Constitution, which was the work OF
iEeir hands, might be sacredly maintained;''
ard the inaugural words of President Jeffer-
son held up tho preser walton of the General
Government, ia its constitutional vigor, As the
abroad" The Constitution il the work of
'-jhe People o. the United States, and it sEUu uld
D. indestruCtibie as the people.
II Is not strange that the trainers Of the Con-
sUtUtlCn, which had model in the past.
should rot have fully COmpEehended the ex-
CfilgECe OF theIT own work. Fresh from a
struggle against arbitrary power many pI-ri-
"fs Suffered from hdrdssiug fears OF an absorp-
tiOn Of The State governments by the General
Government, and many from dread thai the
Siat,- would break away from their Croits.
but ne very greatness OF oar country should
&iay TIE apprehension Of Entertainments by
thT General Government.
The subjects that come UnquestiOnably with
IN Its JuT>CI aiIUH are 50 numerous, tnat ItIu -
ever naturally refuse to b. embarrassed by
questions thatlie beyond it. Were it otherwise,
The Executive would sIT n beneath the burden
lie channels Of JUS Icn would be blocked: leg
IslHtlCH would be CL--Tucted by excess; that
there j. greater temptation 10 exercise some
OF the functions OF the General Government
through he States than 70 trrspass on their
righIEI sphere. The absolute acquiescCnge
Al Inc decisions Of the majority " was, Tie
Beginning the century, enforced by jefferson
IS the vital principle Of republics and the
events Of the last four years have established,
We Will hope forever, that there lies no appeal
The maintenance Of the Union bring, with IL
''the support of the State Governments in all
fGelr rights. but II Is one OF the rights of
any State Government TO ren0unce its own
place IN the Union or 70 nulliiy the laws OF
Union The largest liberty is 70 be maintained
an the discussion OF the acts of the Federal
Government; but there is appeal from its
laws, except 10 the various branches of that
GoyeTnment itself, or to the people who grant
70 the members Of the Legislature and of the
E1ecutlve Departments no tenure bat q limited
one ana In That manner alwaps retain the
powers Of redress.
The sovereignty Of rhe States Is the Ian
EUage OF The Confederacy, aud not the Ian
EUaEe OF the Constitution. The latter contains
the emphatic words: The Constitution, and
the laws OF the inIted States which shall be
made IL pursuance thereof and all treaties
made or which shall b. made under the author
i.y Of the United States. shall be the supreme
lgvE Of ha 10 i'm n p-Cr
State shall be OUEd thereby, any thing in the
constitution OF laws OF any State 70 the contra
~ EOtOwithsJandinc.'
Certainly tie Government OF the United
States - a limited governments; and so Is every
Safe governments limited government. With
Us, this idea of lmItauon spreads through
every form Of admiL istration, general, STATE,
snC municipal, and rests on the great SUN
gushing principle Of the recognitien Of the
fiEhts Of man. The ancient repubIics absorbed
the Individual IN the state, prescribed MS
religion, and controlled his activity.
The American system rests the assertion
OF the equal right ofeyery man 10 life, liberty,
and IEe pursuit OF happiness; 20 freedom Of
conscience, 10 til culture and exercise of all
faculties. Az a eon5eq ueDce, the State Gov
eminent u limited, : to the General Govern
Inent IN the Interest OF Union, the iEdI-
TIdUaI citizen in rhe interest Of freedom.
States, with proper limitations Of power. are
essential 10 tia existence of the Constitution of
the United States. AT the very commence
HrnL when assumed place among the
POwtrs Of the earth, the Declaration Of Inde-
psnde nee adopted by States; sO also were
the Articl@s of Confederation; and when 1.-THE
People OF the United St2trE' ordained and
tablished the Constitution, II was the assent of
the States, one by one, which gave II vitality.
In the e.eri, too, OF any amendment to the
Constitution, the proposition of Congress needs
the confirmation of Congress.
Wi'hCUt Sfatps, one great branch Of the legis-
IailNe goycrumgnt would be wanting And, If
We look beyond the lei Ter OF the Constitution 70
'Le thHfacttT Of our country, its capacity Tor
com enc ndIng within its jurisdiction vast
SOnhErhi;tl emf re Il due 10 the system OF
staIes- Thr beet security for ~. p.rUetuaI px
isteuCp Of th" states iE he supreme authorftv
or Tie Constitution of the UnItcd States
The pFIpftuify Of the Constitution drinrs
with % the pfTpetuIty OF the States: their mn.
tuAi relation makes nat we are and an
oUr VOIiiIcaI system their connsxiOn Is indIs-
Soluble. The Whole cam o. exist without the
parts nor 'he parts Without the whole So
long as The CgEst.g NJ Ion snduTFs, the Stats
III eLcuIe; the destruction Of the one i The
destruction OF the other: the preservation OF
the one rs the preservation Of the other