The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Felio,0 Citizens of tie Senate
md H0use n Representatives.

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 j. still fresh 1t finds
some solace in the consideration that he
lived 70 enjoy the highest proof oI ITS
conf lence bv 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 h- loss was deplored in all parts OF
the mon: an3 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 | need the support and confidence
of all who are associated with me in the
various departments Of Government, and
the support and confidence of the people
There is but one way in which l can
hope to gain their necessary aid it is,
to state with fraukness the principles
which guide my conduct, and their ap
plication to the present state of affairs,
well aware that the efficiency OF my Ia
bors will, in great measure, depend on
your and their undivided appreciation.
The Union of the United States of
America was intended by its authors TO
last a. long as the States them elves
shall last. THE UNION SHALL BE PER
PETUAL" are the words Of the Conteder-
alton :! To FORM A MORE PERFECT
UNIoN.' by an 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 instrument It's, beyond compari-
/ son, the greatest event III American his
/ tory; and indeed is it not, of all events
J in modern times, the most pregnant
/ with consequences for every people OF
I the earth The members of the Con
4 vention which prepared it, brought to
/ their work the experience OF the Confed-
! Grafton, of their several States, and OF
/ other Republican Governments, Old and
new; but they needed and they obtained
a wisdom superior to experience. And
when for its validity it required the APP
proval of a people that occupied large
part of a continent and acted separately
in many distinct conventions, what Is
more wonderful than that, after earnest
contention and long discussion, all feel
ings and all opinions were ultimately
drawn in one way TO its support?
The Constitution to which life was
thus impaired contains within itself am
pie resources for its own preservation.
1t has power to enforce the laws, punish
taeason, and insure domestic tranquility.
/ In case of the usurpauon Of the Gov
erument of State by one man. or an
oligarchy, it becomes duty OF the Uni
ted States to make good the guarantee
20 that State of Il republican form OF
government, and so to maintain the ho-
moeeneousness of all. Does the lapse
of time reveal defects \ simple mode
of Amendment is provided in the ConstI-
tuition itself, so that its conditions can
always be made to conform TO the re
quirements Of advancing civilization
No room is allowed even for that thought
of u possibility of its coming to an end.
and these powers of self preservation
have always been asserted IN their com
plete integrity by every patriotic Chlef
I Magstrate-by Jefferson and Jackson,
not less than by " ashington and Msdl
son The parting ADVICE OF the ather
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 sa-
credlv maintained and in the inaugu-
raj words of President Jefferson held up
-. the preservation of the General Gov
(
the sheet anchor of our peace at home
and safety abroad The Constitution
is the work of . the People of the Uni
ted States" and it should be as indis
.ructible as the people.
1t is not strange that the trainers O.
the Constitution, which had no model II
the past. should not have fully compre
hended the excellence Of their owr
work Fresh from q struggle against ar
hitrary power, many patriots suffered
from larrassing fears of al absorption
of the State Goverum ents by the Gen
eral Government, and from \ dread tina
the States would break away from theu
orbits Bat the very greatness OF oul
country should allay the apprehension
Of eucroachments by the General Gov
ernment The subjects that come un
duestionably within its jurisdiction ar
so numerous. that it must ever naturally
refuse to be embarrassed by question
that lie bevond it. Were it otherwise
R I,the Executive would sink beneath tn
i burden the channels of justice woult
be choked legislation would be oh
structed bv excess; so that there Is
/ greater temptation TO exercise some o
the functions OF the General Govern
e. neut through the States than TO trespas
: on their righttul sphere. Inc aosc
lutte acquescence in the decisions OF tn
majority was, at the beginning of tn
century. enforced by Jefferson as th
vital principle Of republics" and th
events OF the last four years have estat
- lished. we will hope forever, that ther
lies no appeal to force.
The maintenance OF the Union bring
with it the sapport Of the State Co
~ ernments in all their rights. but II
ar not one of the rights OF any State Co
- ernmeut TO renouuce it own place in Il
Union. or to nullify the laws OF Il
Union. The largest liberty IS TO
maintained in the discussion Of the ac
OF the Federal Government; but thel
is no appeal from its laws, except 10 Il
- various branches of that Goyernmel
a. itself. or 30 the people who grant 20 4
49, members OF the Legislative and Of Il
ow Executive Departments no tenure but