Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FelLO,o Citizens Of The Senate
0szd Ho1sss Of RrDS.es.

OF phrrlcldal treason. Inc GRIEF OF the nation is
still fresh it finds some solace in the consideration
that he lived to enjoy the highest proof of its conf
dence by entering on the renewed term of the Chief
Magistracy, to which he had been elected; that he
brought the civil substantially to close; that
his loss was deplored in all parts of the Union and
that foreign nations have rendered justice to his
memory. His removal cast upon me heavier weight
OF cares than ever devolved upon any of his prede
eessors. To fulfill my trust need the support and
confidence of all who are associated with me in the
various departments of Government, and the sup
port and confidence of the people. There is but one
way in which / can hope to gain their necessary aid
is it, to state with frankness the principles which
guide my conduct and their application to the pres
ent state of affairs, we'll aware that the efficiency Of
nay labors will, in q great measure depend on your
and their undivided appreciation.
The Union of the United States Of America was
intended by its authors TO last long the States
themselves shall last THE UNION SHALL BE
PERPETUAL" are the words of the Confederation
ITO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION by an ordi-
nance of the people of the United States is the de-
clared purpose Of the Constitution. The hand of
Divine Providence was never more plainly visible
in the affairs of than in the framing and adopt
ing Of that instrument. It is beyond comparison
the greatest event in American history; and indeed
it is not of all events in modern times, the most
pregnant with consequences for every people of the
earth? The members of the Convention which pre-
Confederation, Of their several States and of other
Republican Governments, old and new; but they
needed and they obtained wisdom superior to ex-
perience. And when for its validity it required the
approval of people that occupied large part of a
continent and acted separately in many distinct con-
ventions, what is more wonderful than that, after
earnest contention and long discussion, all feelings
and all opinions were ultimately drawn in one way
to its support
The Constitution 10 which life was thus impaired
contains within itself ample resources for its own
preservation 1t has power 10 enforce the laws pun
lsh treason, and ensure domestic tranquility. In
of the usurpation of the Government of State
by one man, or an oligarcby, it becomes duty OF
the United States to make good the guarantee to
that State Of a republican form of government, and
so TO maintain the homogeneousness of all Does
the lapse of time reveal defects? simple mode of
amendment is provided in the Constitution ITSELF so
that Its conditions can always be made to conform
to the requirements of advancing civilization. No
room is allowed for the thoughts of pOssibil-
ity of its coming to an end. And these powers Of
self-preservaton have always been asserted in their
complete integrity by every patriotic Chief Magis-
trate-by Jefferson and jackson; not less than
Washington and Madison The parting advice of
the Father of his Country, while yet 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 inaugural
words of President Jefferson held up "the preserVa
ton of the General Government in its constitutional
vlgor the sheet anchor of our peace at home and
safety abroad" The Constitution is the work of
1.-The People of the United States, and it should be
as III destructible as the people
It not strange that the trainers of the Constitu-
ton, which had no model in the past, should not have
fully comprehendsd the excellence of their own
work. Fresh from struggle against arbitrary pow
er, many patriots suffered from harrassng fears of
an absorption of the State Governments by the Gen
eral Government, and many from dread that the
States would break away from their orbits. But the
very greatness of country should allay the ap-
prehensiOn of encroachments by the General Gov
eminent. The subjects that come unquestionably
within its jurisdiction numerous, that it must
ever naturally refuse 10 be embarrassed by questions
that lie beyond it. Were it otherwise, the EXecu-
tive would sink beneath the burden the channels OF
justice would be choked legislation would be OBJ
structed by excess so that there is greater tempta
ton 10 exercise some of the functions of the General
Government through the States than to transpess
upon their rightful sphere. "The absolute acquies-
in the decision of the majority was at the be-
ginning of the century, enforced by Jefferson as
the vital principles Of republics, and the events of
the 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 Governments in al their rights
but it is not Of the rights of any State Govern
ment to renounce its own place in the Union, or to
MUMMY the laws OF Jne mon. Inc largest liberty
Is to be maintained in the discussion Of the acts Of
the Federal Government but there is no appeal
from its laws except to the various branches OF the
Federal Government itself, or TO the people, who
grant to the members Of the Legislative and Of the
Executive Departments no tenure but limited one,
and in that manner always retain the powers Of re-
dress.
The sovereignty Of the States is the language of
the Confederacy and not the language of the Con-
stitution The latter contains the emphatic words
The Constitution and the laws Of the United States
which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all
treaties made which shall be made under the au-
thority Of the United States shall be the supreme
law of the land and the judges in every State shall
be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or
laws Of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
Certainly the Government of the United States
is limited government. With us, this idea of linn
itation spreads through every form Of administra-
ton, general State and municipal, and rests the
great distinguished principle Of the recognition Of
the rights Of man. The ancient republics absorbed
the individual in the State prescribed his religion
and controlled his activity. The American system
rests on the assertion of the equal rights OF every
TO life, liberty, and the pursuits Of happiness
TO freedom of conscience 10 the Culture and exercise
Of all his faculties As consequence the State Gov
eminent is limited as to the General Government in
the interest Of Mon, b. the Individual citizen in
the interest Of freedom.
States, with proper limitations OF power arc es-
sential to the existence Of the Constitution of the
United States At the very commencement when
we assumed place among the powers of the earth,
the Declaration of Independence was adopted by
States; so also were the Articles Of Confederation
and when the people of the United States ordained
and established the Constitution it was the assent Of
the State by one, which gave it vitality In the
event too, of any amendment to the Constitution,
the proposition of Congress needs the confirmation
of States. Without States one great branch of the
/
look beyond the letter of the Constitution to the
character of country, its capacity for compre-
bending within its jurisdiction, vast continental
empire is due to the system of States The best Sc
curty for the perpetual existence of the States the
supreme authority of the Constitution of the
United States. The perpetuity of the Constitution
brings with it the perpetuity of the States; their
mutual relation makes us what we are, and in our
political system their connection is ndssOlube. The
whole cannot exist without the parts the parts
without the whole. So long as the Constitution of
the United States endures, the States will endure
the destruction Of the one is the destruction of the
other the preservation OF the one is the preserva-
ton of the other.
| have thus explained my views of the mutual re-
lations of the Constitution and the States because
they unfold the principles on which / have sought
to solve the mOmentOus questions and overcome the
appalling difficulties that met at the very COM
mencement Of my administration. 1t has been my
steadfast object to escape from the sway Of momen-
tary passions, and to derive healing policy from
the fundamental and unchanging principles of the
Constitution.
l found the States suffering from the effects Of
civil war Resistance to the General Government
appeared to have exhausted itself. The United
States had recovered possession of their forts and
arsenals and their armies were In the occupation Of
every State which had attempted to secede Whether
the territory within the limits of those States should
he held as CONQUERED territory under military au-