The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-12-14
pRFsIDENT,s MEssssAGE.
Fsllou- Cltizens of the Senate and House
Of Representatives:

| 1O cAPicSo bialfCut0 W N"j -, "
name of the people, for the preservation
of the United States, is mJ first duty in
addressing you. Our thoughts next re-
vert to tho death of the late President by
an act of parricidal treason. The. grief
of tho nation is still fresh; it finds some
solace in tho consideration that he lived
to enjoy tho highest proof of its conf
denco by 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 his loss
was deplored in all parts of tho Union (;
and that foreign nations have rendered
justice to his memory. His removal cast
upon mo heavier weight of cares than
ever dcvolvcd upon any one Of his prede-
ccssora. To fulfill my trust 1 need the
support and confidence Of all who ere as
sociatcd with me in tho various depart
mcnts of government, and tho support
and confidence of the people. There is
but ono way in which 7 can hope to gain
their necessary aid; it is, to state with
frankness the principles which guido my
conduct, and their application to tho pre-
sent state of affairs, well aware that the
efficiency of my labors will, in great
measure depend on your and their undi-
vided appreciation.
THE pERPETUITY OF THE UNION.
The Union of tho United States Of
America was intended by its authors to
last as long as tho States themselves shall
last .'Tho Union shall be perpetual !"
arc tho words of the confederation. "To
form a moro perfect Union" by an ordi-
nance of the people Of the United States,
is the declared purpose Of the consttu-
ton. The hand of Divine Providence
was never moro plainly visible in the al
fairs of men than in the framing and the
adopting of that instrument. 1t is, be-
yond comparison, the greatest event in
American history, and indeed is it not,
of all events in modern times, the raost
pregnant with consequences for every
people of the earth The members of
the convention which prepared it, Brought
to their work the experience Of the con-
federation, of their several States, and of
other republican governments, old and
new; but thoy needed and they obtained
Il wisdom superior to experience. And
when for its validity il required the ap-
proval of people that occupied q large
part OF q continent and acted separately
in many distinct conventions, what is
moro wonderful than that, after earnest
contention and long discussion, all feel
ings and all opinions were ultimately
drawn in ono way TO its support?
RESOURCES OF TIE CONSTITUTION FOR THE
PRESERVATION OF TIE UNION.
The constitution to which life was thus
impaired contains within itself ample re-
sources for its own preservation It has
power to enforce the laws, punish trca-
son, and ensure domestic tranquility. In
case of the usurpation of the government
of State by one man, or an oligarchy,
it becomes a duty of the United States to
make good the guarantee of that State OF
y republican form Of government, and so
to maintain tho homogcncousnoss of ALL
Does the lapse of time reveal defects? e
simple mode of amendment is provided in
the constitution itself, so that its condi-
tions can always bo made to conform to
the requirements of advancing civiliza-
ton. No room is allowed even for the
thought of possibility Of its coming to
an end. And these powers Of selfprescr-
vation have always been asserted in their
complete integrity by every patriotic
Chief Magistratc-by Jefferson and Jack
son, not less than by Washington and
Madison. The parting advice of the
Father Of his Country, while yet Prcsi-
dent, to the people Of tho United States,
was that "thc FREQ constitution which
was the work of their hands, might be
sacrodly 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 homo and safety
abroad" Tho constitution is the work Of
'' the people of the United States" and it
should be as indestructiblo as the people.
NO APPEAL TO FORCE AGAINST THE CON-
sTITUTIoN.
1t is not strange that the trainers ofthc
| Ct.nrt;tntinn (which had no model in the