, 1866-01-26
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Che people, for the preservation of the Unitet
States, is my arst duty in addressing you. Gu
thoughts next revert to the death of the lat
President by an act of parricidal treason. Th
g-ief Of the nation is still fresh it finds SOM
Foace in the consideration that he lived to enjoy
the highest proofs of its confidence by entering
on the renewed term of the Chief Magistracy
to which be had been elected that he brought
the civil war substantially to a close that bis
loss was deplOred in all parts Of the Union and
that foreign nations have rendered justice to his
memory. His removal cast upon me heavier
weight Of cares than ever devOlved upon any
ore Of bis predecessors To fulfill my trust,
need the support and confidence of all asso-
ciated with me in the various departments of
Goyernmeut, and the support and confidence of
the people. There is but one way in which |
can hope to gain their necessary aid it is, to
state frankly the principles which guide my
conduct, aud their application to the present
state Of affairs, we'll aware that the efficiency of
my labors will in great measure depend on
yOur and their uadiTiied appreciation.
PerpstSiiy Of the Union.
The Tnion of the United States of America
Vas tuteuded by its authors to last as long as
the States themselves shall last. The Union
shall be perpetual, are the words of the Con-
federation. To form more perfect Union,
States is the declared purpose OF the Constitu-
tion. ghe hand Of Divine Providence was never
mope blainly visible in the affairs of men than
III the framing aud the adopting of that instru-
meut. II is beyond comparison the greatest
,OueutIu American tistGEy; aad indeed is it not.
of all eIeRts in modern times, the most pregnant
with consequences for every people of the earth?
The members of the CoDrention which prepared
at brought to their work the experience of the
SeyG:a! States and of other republican govern
mcnts, cd and new; but they needed and they
obtained 4 wisdom superior to experience. And
when for validity it Ceguired the approval of Il
people that occupied 4 large part of a continent
and ucted upon separately ia many district con-
yeati0us what is more wonderful than that, af-
ter earnest conteUtioE, and long discussion, all
feelings and all opinions were ultimately drawn
a. one way to its support.
Rss9urces At The CgssG,ufion.
The Constitution to which life was thus i'm
parted contains within itself ample resources
tor rs Gwu preservation. II has power to en-
torres the laws, punish treason aad insure do
meslIc TRANQUILITY. In eass of tha nsurPafinn
OF safe by one nan, or an oliESrchy, it be-
comes duty Of the United States to make good
the ggacluty TO that State OF a republican form
Of gogs:ament, aad 50 to maintain tue homoge-
ueosssvss Of all Does the lapse Of time reveal
detrc.s' siNplc mode Of amen ent is pro-
yldtt Ia the Constitution ITSELF SO that its con-
,atGas eau alwavs he made to conform to
the requirements OF advancing civilization No
room IS allowed even fer a thought Of a posi-
h.tr OF its coming 10 end. And these pow
ers Of se.!-prescrstiOl have always been as
serted m their complete iHtegrity Uy every pa
trlOtc Chief Nagistrate-bY Jefferson and Jack
sou, not less than by Washington and Madison
The parting advice Of the Father Of his Couu-
Ng, "hle get President, to the people OF the
mted States, was that the free Constitution
which was the work OF their hands. might be
acred.y maintained; ~ aui the inaugural words
OF President Jefferson held up o. tue preserva-
ton OF the general goverument, 10 its constitu-
tonal vIgor as the sheet anchor of our peace
At nome and safety abroad" The Constitution
Is tue work OF" the pe0lAe Of the United States, 80
and 1t ShoHIt5 be AS indeStructible as the people
"Hhot strange that the trainers Ofthe COnstitu
uon, which bad NO model in the past, should not
nave iQIiy couprehended the excellence Of their
own So'A- Fresh frem a struggle against arbi-
|"y PoWar, many patriots suffered from harass-
s'As 'ears OF az absorption Of the State Govern
uSu" Uy theiederal government, and many from
{" utead that the States would break away from
''ue'r orbits But the very great0ess of our coun-
Try should alsy the apprehension of epcroacb-
Teu" oy Gtgeneral gOFeTHmeut. The subjects
u"'come u'questionably within its jurisdiction
c.e 50 numEous that it must ever naturally re-
'uSe 10 Oe embarrassed by questions that lie be-
!oul H. Nereit otherwise the Executive would
sIuA oeneah the burden; the channels ofiustice
"ou'd oechkedi legislation would be distracted
.! excess 20 that there is a greater temptation
" eherclseSome Of the functions of tho general
sO'grnmeu through the States than to trespass
ou 'ue' rlhtful sphere. "The absolute qGies-
'n,ue Vill OF the majority" was, at the be-
q Mt,
''lal Flnclple of republics" and the events
ot the las four years have established we will
uoPe, forever, that there lies no aDpeai to fotoe.
-, States Rights.
me maintenance Of the Union brings with it
'le support Of the State governments in all
S,.. CUTS butt is not one of the rights of any
- government to renounce its own place in
NJ Tuon' or to nullify the laws Of the Union
tageSt liberty is to be maintained in the dis
ka,t sS.on oil the acts of the fedefaI government;
~ u' tnee Is no appeal from its laws, ercept to
a, 'SLous branches of that government itself,
q ~ u, people, who grant to the members of
'Sb!!satIVe and of the executive departments
'gI,.St'1 out limited one, and in that manner
1'Ta!s ra ntan the power Of redress. .-t. =
tue sovereignty Of the States" is the language
Co sue eo'tederaey and not the language Of the
Eopsututon. The latter contains the emphatic
TS;tu;; .rbe Constitutioh and tue laws of the
~, states and all treaties made or which
TDi,. iTG,, 0e made under the authority of the
tha Iu,'ea States which shall be made in pursuance
sseoi, and all treaties made or which shall be
sb.n under the authority Of the United States,
1Sll 20 oe the supreme law Of the land; and the
.IIses 10 every State shall be bound thereby,
St,!'nlng in the Constitution and laws of ang
C 70 the contrary Notwithstanding
!, certainly the government of the United States
,,a.unIted united government; and so is every State
,sSG.et9nent AZ 70 limited government With us,
fots ,s iaea OF limitation spreads through every
cDai I OF administration, general, State aud mum
cp ana rests on the great distinguishing prin-
,Ple OF Interrogation Of the rights of man. The
S,.teent republics absorbed the Individual in the
sct;r;t prescribed his religion, aud controlled his
s!! ss.!Elty' The American system rests on the as
iiLon ii.on OF the equal rights of every man to life,
~ sVetty and the pursuit of happiness; to freedom
" " conscience, to the culture ald exercise Of all
=. MS faculties. As conssqnencs, Che State
SUYesnment is limited, as to the general govern
aut m the Interest of Union as to the iudiyid-
'''Een in the interest of freedom