The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1865-12-13
The Presidents Message,


Of tho people, for tho preservation Of the
United States, is my first duty in addressing
you.
Our thoughts next revert to the death OF
the late president by an act Of parricidal
treason. The grief of the nation is still
fresh; it finds some solace in the considera-
ton that he lived to enjoy the highest proof
OF its confidence by entering on the renewed
term Of the chief magistracy, to which he
had been elected that he brought the civil
war 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 heay-
Ter weight Of cares than ever deyolved upon
any one Of his predecessors. To fulfill my
trust need tho support and confidence Of
all who arc associated with me in the vari-
GUS departments Of government, and the
support and confidence OF the people. There
is but one way in which can hope to gain
their necessary aid; it is, to state with
frankness the principles which guide my
conduct, and their application to the present
state of affairs, well aware that the efficiency
OF my labors will in n great measure de-
pend on your and their undivided approba-
ton.
The Union of the United States of America
was intended by its authors to last as long
US the States themselves shall last. .'TnE
UNION SHALL DE PERPETUAL" are the words
Of the confederation. "To FORM MORE
PERFECT UNION" by nm 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 of men than in the
framing and the adopting Of that instru-
ment. tits, beyond comparison, the greatest
event in American history; and indeed, is it
not, of all events in modern times, the most
pregnant with consequences for every people
Of the earth? The members Of the conven-
ton which prepared it brought to their work
the experience of the confederation, of their
several states, and Of other republican gov
ernments, old and new; but they needed and
they obtained wisdom superior to expert
ence. And when for its validity it required
the approval of a people that occupied a
large part of tho continent and acted sepa-
rately in many distinct conventions what is
more wonderful han 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
impartcd contains within itself ample resour-
ces to its own preservation. 1t has power to
enforce the laws, punish treason, and insure
domestic tranquility. In case of the u.ur-
patton of the government of State by one
man or m oligarchy, it becomes the duty Of
the United States to make good the guarantee
to that State Of republican form Of govern
mcnt, and so to maintain the homogeneous
ness of all. Does the lapse Of time reveal
defects? A 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 ciyiliza-
ton. No room is allowed even for thought
.f" possibility Of its coming to an end. And
these powers of self-prcservation have al
ways been asserted in their complete integ
ritv by every patriotic chief magistrate-hy
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,
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 .sthe prcserva.
ton Of the general government, in its consti-
tutional vigor, rs the sheet anchor of our
peace at home and safety abroad" The
constitution is the work of "the people of
the United States," and il should BIO as in
destructhle as the people.
1t is not strange that the trainers of the
constitution. which had no model in the past,
should not have fully comprehended the ex-
cellencc of their own work. Fresh from
struggle against arbitrary power, many pa
triots suffered from harassing fears of an
absorption of State governments by the
general government. and many from dread
that the states would break away from their
orbits. But the very greatness Of our coun-
try should allay the apprehension of en-
croachments by the general government
The subjects that come unquestionably
within its jurisdiction are so numerous,
that it must ever naturally refuse to be en-
harassed by questions that lie beyond it.
We're it otherwise, the executive would sink
beneath the burden: the channels Of Justice.
would be checked legislation would be OBJ
structed by excess; so that there is a greater
temptation to exercise some Of the functions
of the general government through the states
than to trespass on their rightful sphere.
" The absolute acquiescence in the decisions
of the majority was, at the beginning of
the century, enforced by Jefferson "as the
vital principle 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 state governments
In all their rights b. it is not one Of the
rights of any state government to renounce
its own place in the Union. The 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 that government
itself, or to the people, who grant to the
members Of the legislative and of the exc
cutive departments no tenure but limited
one, and in that manner always retain the
powers Of redress.
Tho sovereignty of the states is the
language Of the confederacy, and not the
language Of the constitution. The latter
contains the emphatic words: "The consti-
tuition, and the laws of the United States
which shall be made in pursuance thereof,
and al treaties made, or which shall be
made under the authority 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, notwithstand-
Ing"
Certainly the government of the United
States is limited government; and SO is
every state government limited gov
eminent. With US, this idea of limi-
tatlon spreads through every form Of
government, general, state and munich
pal. and rests on the great distinguishing
principle Of the recognition Of the rights Of
man. The ancient republics absorbed the
individual in the state, prescribed his relig-
ion, and controlled his activity The
American system rests on tho Insertion If