The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-12-09


United States, is my first duty i'll addressing YOU
Our thoughts next revert to the death Of the late Gte
Frsf a bSy act of
lace i'll the consideration that he lived to ENJOY the
highest proofs of it's confidence by entering on the
he had been elected that he brought the civil
war substantially to a close that his loss vas de-
Piored in all parts Of the LINEN % and al LIZ ina1 lOrelgn
His removal cast upou me heavier weight OF
cares than cvey dcyolved upon any one of his
predecessors. TO fulfil my trust I need the sup
port 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 can hopo to gain
their necessary aid it is, to state with fra9kiiess
the principles which guide my conduct, and their
Rpeaot a the to aG Of mS
great measure, depend on your ana thelr uhul'l-
ded appreciation:
intended by its authors to last as long as the States
themselves shall last. "rnE UNION SHALL DE PER
PETuAL" are tho words of the Confederation 'To
FORM MORE PERFECT UNloN," by an ordinance Of
the people of tho 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 adopting
OF that instrument. 1t is, beyond comparison, the
greatest event in American history and indeed is
it not, of all events i'll modern times, the most
pregnant with consequences for every people OF
the earth? The members the Convention which
prepared it, brought to their work the experience
of the Confederation, of their several States, and
of other Republican Governments old and new; but
they needed and they obtained wisdom superior
to experience And when for it's validity it rcquir-
cd the approval of people that occupied n large
part of a continent and acted separately in many
distinct conventions, what is more wonderful than
that, alter earnest contention and long A ussion,
all feelings and all opinions were ultimately drawn
i'll one way to its support?
The Constitution to which lifo was thus impart-
cd contains within itself ample resources for its
own preservation. 1t has power to enforce the
laws, punish treason, and ensure domestic tran
guilty. In of the usurpation of the Govern
mon tnfo Stnt hNy nTn n I0ro rrh
becomes duty of the United States to make good
the guarantee of that State of q republican form
ousncss of all. Docs the lapse of time reveal de-
fecs? A simple mode Of amendment is provided
in the Constitution itself, that it's conditions can
always be made to conform to the requirements
OF advancing civilization. No room is allowed
even for the thought of possibility of its coming
to an end. And these powers of self-preseryation
have always been asserted in their complete integ-
rity by every patriotic Chief Magistrate-by Jeher-
son and Jackson, not less thon by Washington and
6 PsF the ps6pa Of
United States, was, that ''the free Constitution,
which was the work OF their hands, might be sa;
credly maintained, ," and the inaugural words of
President Jefferson held up "the preservation of
the General Government, in its constitutional
vigor as the sheet anchor Of our peace at home
and safety abroad" Tho Constitution is the work
of 'the People of the United States and it should
be as indestructible as the people.
1t is not strange that the trainers of the Consti-
tuition, which had no model in the past, should not
have fully comprehendcd tho excellence of their
own work. Fresh from struggle against arbi-
trary power, many patriots suffered ter If from harass-
ments by the General Government, and many from
a dread that the States would break away from
try should allay the apprehension Of encroach-
ments by the General Government. The subjects
that come unquestionably within its jurisdiction
are go numerous, that it must ever naturally refuse
to be embarrassed by questions that lie beyond it
Were it otherwise, the Executive would sink be-
meath the burden; the channels OF justice would
be choked Legislation would be obstructed by ex
cess; so that tlcrc is greater temptation tc
exercise some of the functions of the General Gov
ernncnt through the States than to trespass OF
in the decisions of the majority" was at the begin
vital principle Of republics, and the events OF thu
last four years have established, we will hope fo
ever, that there lies no appeal to force: -,
-& Tho maintenance Of the Union brings with j
.the support Of the State Governments in all she
Government to renounce it's own place in tn
Union, or to nullify the laws Of the ,Uni9p TIL
largest liberty is to be maintained lin the discussion
of the acts Of the Federal Government; but ther
Et'isn appeal from its laws, except TO ths Sanou
ri branches 6ttat itself fdrtothepe
who grant to the members OF the Legislative ant
OF the Executive. Departments no tenure but linn
tied one, and in that manner always retain tn
!" powers Of redress. - e..
'The sovereignty of tho States" is the languag
Of the cqnfeder@aey, @ and d mot the language Of III
words ''rhe Constitution, and the laws Of tn
thereof, and all treaties made Or which shall b
made under the authority of the United States
shall be the supreme law Of the land; and th
Judges in overy State shall be bound thereby, any
thing in the constitution laws of any State t
the contrary notwithstanding"
Certainly the Government Of the United State
is limited government; and 30 is every stat
government limited government. With us, tn
idea Of limitation spreads through every form
administration, general, State, and municipa
and rests on the great distinguishing principle
the recognition of the rights Of man. The ancel
republics absorbed the individual In the Stat
prescribed his religion, and controlled his Gctivit
The American system rests on the assertion
the equal right of every man to life, liberty, aI
the pursuit ofhappiness; to freedom Of consoienc
to the culture and exercise or all his faculties.
consequence, the State Government is limite
as to the General Government in the interest
Union as to the individual citizen in the intere
States, with proper limitations of power, are
sentia to the existence Of the Constitution OF Il
United States. At the very commencement Wht
We assumed place among the Powers OF ii
earth, the Declaration OF independence w
adopted by States; 80 also wero the Articles
Confederation; and when 'sthe People OF Il
United States ordained and established the Co
stitution, it the assent of tho States one
one, which gave it vitality. In the event, too,
any amendment to the Constitution, the propo
tion OF Congress needs the confirmation OF State
Without States, one great branch OF tho legisl
lative government would be wanting. And, il
look beyond the letter O.: the Constitution to Il
character of our country, it's capacity for oompi
hendng within its jurisdiction a vast continent