The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-12-15
M E S S A G. E

ESSAG E
Ofthe President ofthe United States
to the Two Houses of Congress
at the Commencement Of the First
Session of the Thirty-Ninth Con-
gress.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and
House of Representatives: To cx-
press gratitude to God, in the name of
the People, for the preservation of the
United States, is my first duty in ad-
dressing you. Our thoughts next re-
vert to the death of the late Presi-
dent 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 Magis-
tracy, to which he had been elected
that he brought the civil war substan-
tialy to q close that his loss was de-
plored III all parts of the Unionj and
that foreign nations have rendered
Justice to his memory, His removal
cast upon me heavier weight of cares
than ever devolved upon any one OF
his predecessors. To fulfill my trust
iaed the support and confidence of
a,i who are associated with me IN thc
various departments OF Government,
and the support and confidence oi The
people There is but one way in which
can hope to gain their necessary aid;
IL Is, 70 State with frankness the prn-
ciples which guide my conduct, and
their application to the present state
of affairs, we'll aware that the eflicien-
cy of my labors will, in great meas.
urc, depend on your and their undi-
'vidcd appreciation.
The Union of the United States OF
America was intended by its authors
to last as long as the States them-
selves shall last. "THE UNION SHALL BE
PERPETUAL" are the words of the Con-
federation. "To FORM A MORE PER
Feet UNION" by an ordinance Of the
peoplc of the United States, is the de-
clarcd purpose of the Constitution
The hand of Divine Providence was
never more plainly visible in tho at.
fairs of men than in the framing and
the adopting of that instrument. 1t
is, beyond comparison, the greatest
went in American history; and in
decd is it not, of all events in modern
times, the most pregnant with conse.
quences for every people OF the Earth!
The members of the Convention which
prepared it, brought 20 their work the
experience of the Confederation OF
their several States, and of other Re-
publican Governments, old and now
but they needed and they obtained o
wisdom superior to experience. And
when for its validity it required the
approval Of people that occupied q
large part Of continent and acted
separately in many distinct conven'
tons, what is more wonderful thar
that, after earnest contention and long
discussion, all feelings and all opin
ions were ultimately drawn in one
way.to its supportY
Tho Constitution to which life was
thus impaired contains within itsol
ample resources for its own preserva
ton. 1t has power TO enforce Tho
laws, punish treason, and ensure do
nestle tranquility. In case Of the
usurpation Of tho Government OF {
State by ono man, or all oligarchy, Il
becomes n duty of tho United States
to mako good the guarantee TO tina
State of republican form Of govern
ment, and 80 to maintain tho homo
penoousncss of all. Docs tho laps,
of time reveal defocts2 A simple
mode of amendment is provided in th,
Constitution itself, so that It's condi
tions can always bc mado TO conform
to tho requirements of advancing civ
ilization. No room is allowed even io
n thought Of possibility OF It's com
ing to an end. And these powers o
sel.prescrvation have always been as
serted in their complete integrity b.
oyory patriotic Chief Magistrato-b!
Jefferson and Jackson, not less thai
by Washington and Madison. Th
parting advice Of tho Father of hi
Country, while yet President, TO th
people of the United States, Was, tbO
atbu free Constitution, which was th
work of their hands, might be sacred
. ly maintained" and tho inaugnro
words of President Jefferson held u
|, "the preservation Of tho General Gov
ornment, In It's constitutional vigo,
rs tho shoot anchor Of our peace q