Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-12-16
COLUMBIA DEMOCRAT,
Saturday Morning, Dec. 10, '6s.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
EellOw citizens of the Senate aYa House
of Representations

name Of the people, for the preservation of
tue United States, is my first duty 10 ad-
dressing you. Our thoughts next revert
to the death Of the President by an act of
parricidal treason. The grief Of the nation
is still fresh it finds some solace in the
consideration that he lived 10 enjoy the
highest proof ol lis confidence by entering
on the renewed term Of the Chief Magis.
tracy to which be 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 ma
tons have rendered justice 10 his memory.
His removal cast upon me a heavier
weight Of cares than ever deyoycd unon
any one OF bis pre- decessors.
10 fslil my trust J. need the support and
confidence oil all who are associated with
me in tho various departments of Govern.
ment, 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 frankucss the prin-
cip'es which guide my conduct, and their
application to the present state of affairs,
well aware that the efficiency of my la
bors will, in great measure, depend on
your and their undivided opprobaion.
The Union of the United States Of
America was intended by its authors TO
last as long as the States themselves shall
last! "The Uuiou shall be perpetual are
the words Of the Confederation TO form
a more perfect Union,' by an ordinance
of the people of Che United States, is the
declared purpose Of the Constitution. -
The hand OF Divine Provi dence was ucy.
er more plainly visible in the affairs of
men than in The framing and the adopting
OF that instrument, It is, beyond com
parison, the greatest event in American
history; and indeed is if not, Of all events
| in modern times, the most pregnant with
coLScqucrces for every part Of the earth !
The members Of the convention which
orcd it brought to their work the ex-
psep, -, . the confederation, of their
snorn, po.,sniIs s,a.., =, "a Of other republican
goyernm,n BIS, old ana l., "w; but they - NEED, ed
ed and Obtained wisdom ST., '0'''i ILL., " :,
pcrieuce. Aud when Cor liz VA. "''y II
required the approval Of a people that oo
cupicd large part Of continent, and
acted separately in many distinct conyen-
tions. what is more wonderful than that,
after long contention and earnest discus
sions, AL feelings and all opinions were
ultimately drawn in oLe way to its sup
port.
The Constitution to which life was thus
impaired contains within itself ample re-
sources for its own preservation. 1t has
power to enforce the laws, punish treason
and ensur9 domestic tranquility. In cas- c
of usurpaliou of the government OF State
by one man, or an oligarchy, it becomes
duty of the United States to make goo,
the gaurantce 10 that State Of ropublI-
, can form Of government, and 50 to man
> tain the homogcneousues5 OF all. Doe
! the lapse Of time reveal defects a sim
} ple mode Of amendment is provided in Tx
Constitution itself, SO that its conditions
e can always be made to conform TO the re-
ouirement3 OF advancing ciyilZaton'
No room il allowed even for the though
of possibility of its coming to an end -
- And these powers Of self'preserva'io
have always been asserted in their com
plete integrity by every patriotic Che
Magistrate-by jefferson and jackson
not less than by Washington and Madi
son. The parting advice of the Fathe
of bis Country, while yet President,
people of the United States, was that
' their hands, nigh, he sacrodly mantar
ed and the inaugural words of Preside'
jefferson held W 'the preservation of tt
General Government, in its constitution
yieor, as the sheet anchor oil our peace
he he home and safety abroad The OJnsti
er ton is the work of the people of the ur
pi oi ted States and it should be as indestru'
to blc as the people. -,
Nis not strange that the trainers OF tt
Constitution, which had no model in I.
mast, should not have fully comprehent
~ I'd the excellence of their own work
Fresh from a struggle against arbltra
power, many patriots suffered from hi
RAISING fears Of an absorption Of the Sta
governments By the General Goyerumt
sh and many from dread that the STA
would breaA away from their orbits
the very greatness OF our country sho'
sllay the apprehension Of encroachme
-- by the General Government. The 81
iects that come unquostlonably within
Jurisdiction are so numerous, that 1t N
ever naturally refuse to be embarrassed
questions that lie beyond IT,
fme ifIme We're it otherwise, the Executive wo
"ain Hiiin sink beneath the burden the channels
''' Justice would be 'hoked legislation We
T. be obstruced by excess; SO that there
"a greater temptation to exercise some oil
Pa functions OF the General Government u
m9ia the States than to trespass on their ri
:, on on full sphere. The absolute acquesenc
TSIs, ,oWn the decisions OF the majority was at
'pose beginning of the century, enforced
eli, Jefferson sas the vital principle OF rel
lcs, and the events of the last lour
have established, we will hope fort
that there lies no appeal to force.
vcsl. The maintenance Of the Union br
ted in with it the support OF the State gov
Al :. .,ubl. huk n IL n Ot