The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-12-06

VA ROoNSt Nht
fraternal feeling, 1t would tend great
ly to renew the confidence of the Amer
lean people in the vigor and stability
of their institutions
II would bind US moro closely to-
gether as a nation, and enable us tC
show to the world the inherent and re-
Cooperative power of q Government
founded upon the will of the people
and established upon the principles o.
liberty, justice and intelligence. Our
Increased strength and enhanced pros.
perity would irrefragibly demonstrate
the fallacy of the arguments against
free Institutions drawn from our recent
national disorders by the enemies Of
republican government. The admis.
sior of loyal members from the States
excluded from Congress, by ailaying
doubt and apprehension, would turn
capital, now awaiting an opportunity
for investment, into the channels Of
trade and industry. II would alleviate
tho present troubled condition of those
States, and, by inducing emigration,
aid in the settlement Of fertile regions
now uhcutivated, and lead to an in
creased production of those staples
which have added SO greatly to the
wealth of the nation and the commerce
OF the world. New fields of enterprise
would be opened to our progressive
people, and soon the devastatiuhs oI
war would be repaired, acd all traces
of our domestic differences effaced from
the minds Of our countrymen,
In our efforts to preserve "the unit,
of Government which constitutes u,
onepeople,' by restoring the States tc
the condition which they held priol
to the rebellion, we should be cautious
lest. having rescued our nation from
perils of threatened disintegration, VIZ
resort to consolidation, and in the enc
absolute despotism, as q remedy fol
the recurrence of similar troubles
The war having terminated, and witt
it all occasion for the exercise of pow
ers of doubtful constitutiouality, w
should hasten to bring legislation with
in the boundaries prescribed by th'
Constitution, and to return to the an
oient landmarks established by our ia
thers for the guidance Of succeeding
generations. THE Constitution whicl
at any timo exists, until changed BY
an explicit and Authentic act of tht
whole people, is sacredly obligatory
upon all" "If in the opinion of thu
people, the distribution or modification
OF the constitutional powers be, in any
particular, wrong, let it be corrected
by an amendment in the way in which
the Constitution designates But 10
there be no change by usurpation
for" "it is the customary weapon by
which free govern ments are des
troyed." Washington spoke thes,
words to his countrymen, when, fol
lowed by their love and gratitude, hi
voluntarily retired from the cares o
public life. "To keep in all things
within the pale of our constitutions
powers, and cherish tho Federal Un
ion as the only rock Of safety" were
prescribed by Jefferson as rules of &C
ton TO endear to his ''countrymen the
true principles Of their constitution
and promote union of sentiment and
action equally auspiaious to heir hap
piness and safety" Jackson held tha
the action Of the General Government
should always be strictly confined Il
the sphere Of its appropriate duties
and justly and forcbIy urged that oul
Government is not TO be Baintaine(
nor our Union preserved "by invasion'
OF the rights and powers of the severa
States. In thus attempting to max,
our General Government strong, W,
make it werk. Its true strength con
sists in leaving individuals and States
as mach as possible to themselves; il
making itself felt, not in its power
but in its bene6cenco; not in its con
troll, but in its protection; not in bind
ing States more closely to tho center
but leaving each to movo Gnohstruct
ed in its proper constitutional orbit.
These are the teachings of men whose
deeds and services have made them
illustrious, and who, long since with
drawn from the soenes of life, have
loft to their country the rich legacy
of their example, their wisdom, and
their patriotism. Drawing fresh in
spiration from their lessons, let Ut
emulate them in love OF country and
respect for the Constitution and the
laws.
The report of the Secretary of the
Treasury affords much Information
respecting the revenue and commerce
of tho country. His views upon the
currency, and with reference to a
proper adjustment of our rovenuc
system, internal an we'll as impost, are
commended to the careful considera-
tion Of Congress. In my last annual
message expressed my general views
upon these subjects. need now only
Gull attention to the necessity of car.
rying into every department of the
Government system Of rigid account
ability, thorough retrenchment, and
wise economy. With no exceptional
nor unusual expenditures, the oppres.
sive burdens OF taxation can be lessen
cd BY such modification of our reve-
nuo laws us will be consistent with the
public faith, and the Legitimate
and necessary wants OF the Govern
ment.
The report presents o much more
satisfactory condition Of our finances
than one year ago the most sanguine
could have anticipated. During the