Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-12-12
Governments, will, hs proper time, be laid be-
fora G0r0rass

Governments, will, hs proper time, be laid be-
fore Congress.
When, on the organization of our Government
under tho Constitution, the President of the
United States delivered his inaugural address to
the Two Houses oil Congress, he said to them
and through hem to the country and to man
KIND, that the preservation of the sacred fire OF
Ilperty and the destiny OF the republican model
ot government are Justly considered as deeply,
perhaps as finally 'taked on tbs experiment TO-
trusted 10 the American people" And the
h0use Of Representatives answered Washington
by the voice OF Madison wv adore the in visible
hand which has led the American people through
80 many dlfhcultlet, to cherish a conscious re-
sponaioIly Tor the destiny of republican lib
erty. More than seyenty-six years have glided
away since these words we're spoken the United
states have passed through severer trials than
were loreseen ; and now, at this new epoch n our
existence as one nation, with our Union purified
by sorrows, and strengthened by conflict, and es-
iaDllshed by the virtue of the people, the great
ness Of the occasion invites Us once more to re-
peat, with soemnity, the pledges OF our fathers, to
hold ourselves answerabls before our fellow men,
for the success Of the republican form of govern
ment. Experience has proved its suffciency in
peace and IN war 1t has vindlcated ts authority
through dangers and afllictions and sudden and
terrible emel gences, watch wosd have crushed
any ystem that had been less firmly fixed in the
heart Of the people.
AT the Inauguration Of Washington the fore On
relations Of the eoultry were few, and its trade
was repressed by hostile regulations now all the
CIVILIZED nations Of the lglobe welcome our com
merce and their governments profess toward us
amity Then our country felt its way hesitating.
y along an unlred path, with States so little
bound together ynpld means OF communication
as To be hardly known TO one another, and with
historic traditions extending over very lew years
now Intercourse between the States is swift and
infinite the experience OF centuries has been
crowded into few generations, and has created
an intense, indestruc.abe nationality Then our
Jurisdiction did not reach beyond the inoonvenient
D1undires OF the territory which had achieved
lnuependence now, through cessions of lands
hrst colonzed by Spain aud France, The country
ha' acquired more complex character. aud has
for It's natural limits the chain of lakes, the Gulf
ol Mexico, and on the east and west the two
great oceans. Other nations were wasted by
CIV wars for ages before they could establish for
themselves the necessary degree of unity the
latent conviction that our form Of government is
the best ever known to the world, hu enabled US
TO emerge from civil war within four years, with
complete yindlcalion OF the constitutional su-
thorlty OF the General Government, and with our
local liberties and State institutions unimpaired.
Ihe throngs OF migrants that crowd 10 our
shores are witnesses OF the confidence of all peo-
pie in our permanenee. Here /, the great land
Of free labor, where industry ia blessed with un-
exampled rewards, and the bread Of the working
man IS sTes tened by the consciousness that the
cause OF the country is his own cause, his own
safety his own dignity" Here every one spioys
the Tree use Of his faculties and the choice of act
tvlIy a. a natural right. Here under the COM
bhed nflusnce Of fruitful soil, genial cmes,
and happy institutions, population has increased
with century. Here, through the
easy Development Of boundless resources, wealth
has increased with two-fold greater rspidity than
numbers, so that we have become secure against
the financial vcis,tudes OF other countries, and,
alike IN business and IN opinion, are sef-oentered
and truly independent. Here more and more
care is. given to provide education for every one
bora on our soil. Here religion, released from
political connection with the civil government
refuses to subserv. the craft OF statesmen, and
becomes, in its Independence, the spiritual life Of
he people. Here toleration is extended to every
opinion, IN the quiet certainty that truth needs
July lair tsld to secure the victory. Here the
lumin MUD goes forth unshackled in the pursuit
II science, to collect stores OF knowledge and &C
luIFe an ever Increasing mastery over the forces
# nstur-. Here the national domain is offered
iud held IN millions Of separate freeholds, so that
jur ielioW-eltlEens beyond tho occupants OF any
lthef part OF The earth, constitute in reality pee-
lle Here exists the democratic form of govern
neni and that form Of government, by the con-
ession Of European statesmen, "gives power Of
'hich no othef form is capable because it ncor.
'oraes every man with the State, and arouses
very hing that belongs TO the soul"
Nhege, ia past history, does parallel exist TO
he pubhc happiness which is within the reach of
he people Of the United States Where, in any
iari Of the globe can institutions be fouad 90
ulted 10 their habits or so entitled to their love
IS their own free Constitution? Every one of
hem, then, 10 whatever part OF tho land be HE
ome, mus. wish il prosperity. Who Of them
viii not acknowledge, 10 the words Of Washing.
On, that "evsry step by which the people of the
InIted States have advanced to the character ofan
dependent nation, seems to have been dis,in-
aihsI by some toSen Of Providential agency?"
Who will not Join with me iu the Irayer, that
io Invisible hand which has led us through tho
lolds that goomed around our path, will so
uide US onward to a perfect restoration of fra
rnlI affection, that we OF this day may be able
, transmit our great inheritance, Of Safe Gov
rnmeBts in all their rights OF the General Gov
Innent ia It's whole constitutional vigor, to our
osterity, and they 10 theirs through countless
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Ddhiagton, Dee. 4, 1865.