The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1865-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Felloto Citizens Of the Senate .r. F..
.. and House of Representation

and House Of Representations:
To express gratitude TO God, in the
name ofthe people, for the preservation
of the United States, is my first7 duty
in addressing you. Our thoughts next
revert to the death Of the late President
by an act of parricidsl treason. The
grief of the nation is still fresh; it finds
some solace in the consideration that he
lived to enjoy the highest proof of its
confidence by entering on the renewed
term of the Chief MagistraOy, to which
he had been elected; that he brought
the civil war Substantially to- ga 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 q heavy. weight
of cares that never devolved. upon any
one of his predecessors. To fulfil my
trust 1 need the support and confidence
hof all who are associated with me in the
various departments of Government,
aud the support aud confidence of the
people. m There is but one way / can
hope to gain the necessary aid; it is, to
state, with frankness the principles
which guide my conduct, and their ap.
Eplication tn the present state ofiaffairs
we'll aware that the efficiency ofmy Ia.
bors will, in a great measure, depend
on your and their undivided approba
tion. - .,,- ,.- ......- .,.r ,-.' ....,...
The Union of the United +, States o
America was intended by its authors tc
last as long as the States themselves
shall last, "The Uninn shall be per.
petual," are the words of the Confeder-
ton. "To form q more perfect I'm.
ion" by an ordinance of the people oi
the United States, is the declared pur-
pose OF the Constitution. The hand o.
Divine Providence was never more
plainly visible in the affairs of men tha n
in the framing and the adopting of tha
instrument. Itis, beyond comparison
the greatest event in American histor,
and indeed is it not, of all events ia
modern times, the most pregnant with
consequences for every people of the
eartb2 The members of the Conveu.
ton which prepared it, brought to their
work the experience of the Confedera-
ton, of their several States, aud of 9th.
or Republican Governm, ,nts, old and
new; but they needed and they obtain
ed wisdom superior to perience.--
And when for its validity it required
the approval Of a people that occup led
a large part of continent and acted
separately in many distinct conven
tiops, what is more, wonderful than
that, after earnest contention and long
discussion, all feelings aud all opin.
siOns were ultimately drawn in one way
to its support assee.a..H e,.7 81
The Constitution to which life wal
thus impaired contains within itseli
ample resources for its own preserva
ton. 1t has power TO en- force the laws
punish treason and, insure domestic
tranquility Incase Of the usurpation
of the government of a, State by on,
man; or an Oligarcby, it becomes a dut.
ofthe United States to make good tn,
guarent to that State of Ia Republican
form Of Government, and so to main
tain the rhomogeneOusness of ALL
Does the lapse Of time reveal defects
A simple nOdeio amendment is pro
vided in the Constitution itself, so tha
its conditions can al lwhys be made t
eonform to. the requirements of advanC
ing civilization. No room is allowe
even for tho thought sof7 a. p6ssihilit
j fits coming to an end. Aud thes
4 powers of self-prssorVatioh on have q
ways been ysssefted in their complet
integrity by every patriotic Chief MAG
istrdtsr,-by Jefferson and Jackson, nc
less tha by Washington aud Madison
\ Thelpattiug advice Of the Father Of hi
4 Country, while yet President to th
Ipeople of the Dnited States, r was rtbt
d "the freq Constitution, which was th
\ work of their hands, might be sacEedl
msintained;" aud the inaugural woE'
of President o yJeferSona held mp 'tt
b preservation Ofther General Goyernweu
in its Constitutional Vigorr As the she
anchor Ofiour peace at home and isaf
o. ty Abroad The Consultation 10 Il
o work Of othe oHRsoplei .Ofmthe, Unit
bStatss,p and il should beiss tipdestruC
% ible as the peoplsSis1iser 100 10 yiis
y11 ILis not ngeathat the trainers
the Constitution, (which had NO mo,
el inltha past, should not have rfpl
.is eompfehended the exoellepce Of oth'
4 own work. Fresh from a stFngg
$s against arbitrary power many pAtrit
~" suffered from harAssing fears Ofah q
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