Year: 1865

unu HOuSe " representatives


To express gratitude to God in the
name of the people for the preservation
of the United States is my first duty in
addressing you. Our thoughts next re-
vert to the death of the late President by
an act of parricida treason. The grief
ofthe nation is still fresh. 1t finds some
solace in the consideration that he lived
TO enjoy the highest proof of its confidence
10y entertaining 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 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 of his predecessors 10 fulfil my
trust, | need the support 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
hope to gain the necessary aid. 1t is to
state with frankness the principles which
guide my conduct, and their application
to the present state OF affairs, well aware
that the efficiency of my labor will in
great measure depend on your and their
undivided appreciation.


TIE UNION.


The Union of the United States of
America was intended by its authors to
last as long rs the States themselves shall
last. "1he Umon shall be perpetual
are the words of the Confederation "lo
form more perfect Union" by the ordin-
ance of the people of the 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 forming and adoption of that
instrument. 1t is beyond comparison the
greatest event in American history, and
indeed, is it not of all events in modern
times, the most pregnant with consequent
ces fer every people of the earth =? The
members of the convention which prepar-
ed it brought to their work the experience
of the Confederation, of their several





States, and of other Republican Govern
ments, old and new; but they needed and
they obtained a wisdom superior to expe-
rience. And when for its validity it re-
qnired the approval of people that oc-
cupied large part Of a continent, and
acted separately in many distinct conven-
tions, what is more wonderful than that,
after earnest contention and long discus
sion, all feelings and all opinions were
ultimately drawn in one way to its
support.


TIE CONSTITUTION.


The constitution to which life was thus
impaired, contains within itself ample re-
sources for its own preservation. 1t has
power to enforce the laws. punish treason
and ensure domestic tranquility. In case
OF the usurpation of the government of
State by one man, CT an oligarchy, it be-
comes duty Of the United States to
make good the guarantee to tha: State
of Republican form OF government, and
so to maintain the homogeneousness of all.
Does the lapse of time reveal defects !
Asimple mode of amendment Is provided
in the Constitution itself, SO that its con-
dtions can always be made to conform
TO the requirements of advancing civiliza-
tion. No room is allowed even for the
thought of possibility of its coming to
an end. And these powers of self-prcs-
ervation have always been asserted in
their complete integrity by every patriotic
Chief Magistrate-by Jefferson and Jack
son, not less than by Washington and
Madison. The parting advice of the
Father of his country, while yet Presi-
dent, to the people of the United States,
was, thai ''the free Constitution, which
was the work of their hands, might be
sacredly 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" The constitution is the work
OF the people ofthe United States, and it
should be as indestructible as the people.


STATE AND FEDERAL RIGHTS.


1t is not strange that the trainers of
the Constitution, which had no model in
the past, should not have fully compre-
hended the excellence of their own work.
Fresh from struggle against arbitrary
power, many patriots suffered from har-
RAISING fears OF an absorption of the State
Governments by the General Govern
ment, and many from dread that the
States would break away IRON their or
bits But the very greatness of our
country should allay the appre..ensions of
encroachments by the Federal Govern
mept. The subjects that come unques-
tionably within its Jurisdiction are so nu-
merous, that it must ever naturally re-
fuse to be embarrassed by question that
lie beyond it. Were il otherwise. the
Executive would sink beneath the bur-
den; the channels Of justice would be
choked legislation would be obstruted
by excess so that there /, is greater
temptation to exercise some of the func-
tlons of the General Government through
the States than to trespass on their right
ful sphere. FThe absolute acquiescence
in the decisions of the majority" was, at
the beginning of the century enforced by
jefferson, "as the vital principle of Repub-
I lies and the events of the last four years
have established we will hope, forever,
that there is no appeal 10 force. ai,
'iai iIhe maintenance Of the Union brings
l. al