The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-12-15
Presidents MESSAGE.
FtiioD Citizens of the Senate

ftiio,o Citizens of the Senate
and House Of Representatives..
To express gratitude to God, in tho namo
OF the people, for tho preservation of the
United States, is my first duty in addressing
you. Our thoughts next revert TO the deaf h
of the late President by an act OF parricidal
treason. The grief of Tho nation is still fresh
lit finds some solace in tho consideration
that ho lived to enjoy tho highest proof of
it's coDfidonc by entering on the renewed
term OF the Cbif Magistracy, to which bo
had been elected; that bo brought tho civil
war substantially to close; that his lose
was depIored in all parts Of the Union; and
that foreign nations have rendered justice to
bis memory. His removal csst upon me q
heavier weight of cares than ever devolved
upon any OF bis predecessors. To fulfill my
trust need the support and confidence OF
all who arc associated with me in the various
departments OF Government, and the sup.
port and confidence of the people. There
Is but one way in which can hope to gain
their necessary aid; IL is, to state with frank
ness the principles which guido my conduct
and their application to the present state OF
affairs, we'll aware that tho efficiency of nv
labors will, 10 q great measure, depend on
your and their undivided appreciation.
The Union Of the United States of Ameri
ca was intended by lie authors to last as long
es the States themselves shall last. 'Tho
Union shall be perpetual" sro the words OF
the Confederation. ITO form o moro Der.
feet Union, by an ordinance of the people
Of tho United States, is the declared pur.
pose of the Constitution. Tho hand of
Divine Providence was never more plainly
visible in the affairs OF men than in the fran
ing and the adopting of that instrumont.--
IL is, beyond comp arison,. the greatest event
in American history; and indeod is it not, OF
all events in modern times. tho most prog.
nant with consequences for overy people OF
the Garth! The members of the Conven.
ton which prepared it, brought to their
work the experience OF The Confederation
of their several States, and of other Ropub.
lican Governments, old and new; but thew
needed and they obtained wisdom superior
to experience. Aud when for its validity II
required the approval of people that occu.
pied largo part OF q continent and actod
separately in many distinct conventions
what 10 more wonderful than that after earn.
est contention and long discussion, all feel
ings and all opinions wore ultimately drawn
in one way to its support? .-.
Tho Constitution to which life was shue
imparted contains within itself ample re-
sources for its own preservation. 1t has
power to enforce the laws, punish treason
aud insure domestic tranquility. In case oi
-usurpation of tho Government of State by
one manor an oligarchy, ,is becomes tho duty
of the United States to mako good tho guar.
antee to that State of republican form OF
government, and so to maintain the homo.
genoousness of all. Does the lapse of time
reveal defects A simple mode of amend.
ment is provided in the Constitution itself
so that its conditions can lways be made TO
conform to the requirements of advancing
civilization. No room is allowed even for
an end. And these powers of self-preserva-
tion have always been asserted in their com.
plete integrity by every patriotic Chief Mag
istrate-by Jefferson and jackson, not less
than by Washington and Madison. The
parting advice OF tho Father of bis Country
while yet President, to the people of the
United States, was that "the FREQ Constitu.
ton, which was the work Of their hands
might be sacredly maintained and the in.
augursl words of President Jefferson held
up "the preservation of the General Govern.
ment; in it's constitutional vigor, as the sheet
anchor Of our peace at home and salty
abroad" The Constitution is tho work OF
the People of the United States" and II
should be as indestructibie as the people.
II Is not strange that tho framors Of the
Constitution, which had no model In the
past, should not have fully comprohonded
the excellence of their own work. Frost
from struggle against arbitrary power
many patriots suffered from barrassing fear:
of on absorption of the State Governments
by the General Governments, and many
from dread that the States would break
nwoy from their orbits. But tho very great
nose of our country should allay the appre
heusion Of cncroachments by the Genera
Government. The subjects that come un
questionably within its jurisdiction arc sc
numerous, that It must ever naturally refuse
to be embarrassed by questions that lie be-
yond II. We're 1t otherwise. the Executive
nels of justice would be choked; legislation
10 q greater temptation to exercise some o
the functions of the General Government
through the States than to trespass ON theil
rightful sphore. "The absolute acquiesceuct
in the decisions of the majority" was, at the
beginning of the century, enforced by JEFF
ferson "as the vital principle of republics,
and tho events of the last four years bavt
established, we will hope forever, that there
lies no appeal to force.
The maintenance of the Union brings will
II "the support of the State Government
In all their rights" but il is not one of tht
rights of any State Government to renounc,
it's own place in the Union, or to nullify tn,
laws of tho Union. The largest liberty i
10 be maintained in the discussion of tn
acts of the Federal Government; but ther
is no appeal from its laws except to the var
ious branches Of that Government itself, O
to tho people, who grant to the members o