iMi^lliifc

MAETIN VAN BTJftUN'S

OTAlJCfUR4«Ii ADDRESS. fmium CITIZENS : . ' . , . ; . * ./.

,TheJpr5actice «f all predecessors imposes IJnme.an obligation I cheerfully fulfil, to ac-^W'Ra.BJf thje first and solemn act of my pub-MfettftifwiUmnavowal of the principles that W.SWte .me in performing it, and in ex-W W * * *>f wy feelings, on assuming a charge ft responsible and vast. In imitating tbjsir

example, Itread; in the footsteps of ilhj8tr.ij J u s men, whose superiors, it is our.baupi-•less to bijiete, are not found on ibvMMi-•Kv*.-palehflajrofjBny country. ]km9Dsthem

%e «qogni«*fte! earliest and .flrmes£billars jftOttVreptiMic? thoi8>by,who*h put nation^*

IntfependeniEe was first- dec l a r^ f t em * B P , i j pove all others, contribtoiliiKiieitablisMt mmth6.field.of battle*. e M tho^v&oiie *sfe

tpanded intellect and pairibHsioi^nStracJoai [.improved, and perfected the i ^ t i m a b l t k-.

Institutions under which we live. If such men, lii the position I now oceupyj fefttheriiselves oVerwheltned byifiseiase of gratitude fdfctbii, the highest of all marks 4rf their <Jo^ntry's Confidence, and1 by a consciousness of thei^ ftSbiMly ad^qijWol** «o«. dfectttuige (hei^utnjt W ah8bffice iw-#flicub> ta#.#xalt£#:lftaw} much more must these considerations affect' one, who c>n rely 6n np sucii etaim^ifoVfa^-

«v6TlBr^oibjearalc'e:, ." " "'-•"•-- ' ". ' ; ^ !pe«f i h |%aw^e ;ced jed 'm,e . , th^teit-dlutibniythSt^av'e Ufi.e5totehc"eason^ people Wa'slacnieVea^aHhepeiSod of my birth;-and

* whilst I contetaplate with greatfubreverence that ^emprable>(iyentr'I'fe,el tbatlbelong to abater-age, <a'ha>$«tH^h^y inpt ^ex£pt--my countrymen; to w$gpc;my- actions with the i t o e ^ i p ' ^ d parirai-'liand'. • • " ' • ; . -*

jSo's&nsi^ circumstances press- tKemselves upon • me,-' ibIFiTblluUfot da re> %ke\ upoMnV path' bflhtrsewljtf.w'mfierwso««a^dVith nte inj tBe' v i Q ^ ^ l i k ^ ^ ^ b l i i ^ b V a t i e J h ^ of the'

' jffjpV^nnwfh^ .did j :Ax€pp$g with* uhwa-' vering reliance* on tne patriotism,' th'eMntel-Ifgence, arid the kindness, of a .people who ^^^.^f•. 4^*ert,ed ap.u>jic,siBpariiJhQnesfjy laboring; ia.theirr cause.;, and, ahaye; al), djiJ'.I''

Ln!M.f*WJt.,rayi?lf htynjily'" to hjipje' for t|te Iswgt^ining support of an. pVear-wW&BB and tbenificent Providence. I Tp the confidence and consolation derived From these sources, it would be ungrateful not .tp add those which spring from our pres­ent fortunate condition. Though not alto-'gether exempt from* embarrassments that dis­turb our tranquility at home and threaten it abroad, yet in all the" attributes of a great, happy, and flourishing people, we stand with­out a parallel in the world.—Abroad, we en­joy the respect, and with scarcely ah excep­tion, the friendship of every nation; at home, while ourGovemment quietly, but efficient­ly, performs the sole legitimate and political institutions, in. doing the greatest good to the greatest number, we present an aggregate of human prosperity surely not elsewhere to be found.

HoW-imperious, then, is the obligation im­posed upon every citizen in his own sphere of action, whether limited or extended, to exert himself in perpetuating a condition of things 40 singularly happy. All the lessons of history and.experierice must be lost upon' us, if we ate. content to trust alone to th'o

f scttliar1 advantages We happen to possess-osition and tclimate, and the bounteous re­

sources that nature has scattered with so lib­eral a hand—even the diffused intelligence and elevated character of our people—will avail us nothing; if we fail sacredly to uphold those political institutions that were wisely and deliberately formed, with reference to every circumstance that could preserve, or might endanger, the blessings we enjoy. The thoughtful framers of our constitution legislated for our country as they found it. Looking upon it-with the eyes of statesmen and of patriots, they saw all the sources of rapid and wonderful prosperity; but they saw also jhat various habits, opinions and in­stitutions, peculiar to the various portions of so vast a region, were deeply fixed—Distinct sovereignties were in actual existence,.whose cordial union was. essential to the welfare and happiriess of all. * a,

Between many of them there wasrtat least to some extent, a real'diversity of interests, liable to be exaggerated through sinister de­i g n s ; they differed inr"size, in population, in wealth, and in actual and prospective re­sources and pdwer; they varied in the char-ic-teref their industry and staple produc-S n s ; and in some existed domestic institu­tes, which unwisely disturbed, might en-Siger the%hann;any of the wholes—Most efully were all these circumstances weigb-and the foundations of the new govern-nt laid upon principles of reciprocal con-sion and equitable compromise. The lonsies which the smaller States might ertain of the power j>f the rest were al-|dhy a rule of representation, confessedly ^jual at the time, and designed forever to aiuso. r '

Is natural fear> that .the_broad scope of gen-le,gislation might bear upon and unwise-

jintroT particular interests, was counter-4 by limits strictly drawg-around the ac-, of the federal authdftty; and to Ihe, [fie and the States was left unimpaired • sovereign power pvef< the innumerable

«u„jP»ots embraced in the1 internal govern-meSt of a just republu?«' excepting such only as necessarily appertain, to the concerns of

I the Whole confederacy, or its intercourse, as 'TL&JSBJted community, with the other nations

of thewirTd, . This provident forecast has been verified

b j time. Half a century, teeming with ex­traordinary events, and elsewere producing-astonishing results, has passed along; bnt on our institutions it has left no injurious mark. From a wmalj cptpBiunity. we have riMiMQ a.(people powerful in numbers and jjMitjength; but with our, increase has gone, h a w in1 hand"the progress of just prinbi-

^ 1 S » ; tfe priveleges, dirtr and religious, of tle^unitblest individual are scarcely pro-tected at home;.Bnd while tl|e valor and for-typde^of pur people have removed far from'

. n» the slightest apprehension of foreign pow-i % 'fhey te^otyeE4nafio'ea'usr in a sitt-I -fie 'hiBtantee, tP roVget What' iS right.

« Our commerce has been extended to the remotest-nations: the value, and even natijije, J pf pAr-pKodncijons has been gredtly" ii** .changed: a*wide difrerepce has arisen in the felatiVweifth and resources of every ppr-"t\o» «i out <souotry>, yet the spirit ofmu-sjual regard and of faithful adherence to-ex-.istingcompects, has cont'muedto prevail in our councils, and never long been absent i p m our conduct. We have learned by experience a fruitful lesson ; that an implic­it and undeViating adherence to the princi-«ip«s on which we set otft, can carry us

ibtt «tb*

great experimenf, is, in itself; a sui_ eause for gratitude, on acciwuit af- thri iap

.piness it has actually cpnferre,d, and the ex­ample it has unanswerably given. But to «ne, my fellow citizens, looking forward to the far-distant future, with ardent prayers and confiding hopes, this retrospect presents a ground for still deeper delight. It impress­es on my mind a firm belief that the perpe­tuity pf our institutions depends upon- our­selves; that,, .if we maintain the princi­ples on which they were established, they are destined tq confer thei^benefits on couot-lessjenerafipns yet to cdm£s and that A-mertea; will p«we#t, to every" frwn4! o f man-kitfd t t ieeheerte^proof;t^ff^pli iarGov-fiUlmmt widely toTtrfed,; is wrfdtiirg'innotel-, 1 ement' of- etiduraBce^oriiitren^ib;.' < > fift^yeaj-jj aAV 'm rapidifeifure Was bold-riy. piedipted« s-Aateht and ^uncontrollable eauses? of dlj|ffp.lutip|i -wfre* supposed to ex­ist, ,e?e„n by^the w i ^ ao4g0P®arid not on­ly did unfriendly or speculative theorists an­ticipate for us the. fatdpfpasjt republics, but the fears of many aji honest patriot over-balflnped :hi8.-j?anjgaifie hopes/ Look back on the>ieforflbpdnigsVh'3^hSsfiiy, bat reluc-tSeMm^dj. and se&'how, ill "every instance, they faavfr completely failed.

An imperfect experience, during the strug-|»gles,p|-the reyolution.was supposed to war-rant a b.elief.that the people would not bear the taxation requisite to discharge an im­mense public debt already incurred, and to defray- thevaecessajry expenses of the. GoV-sernroeot. The «pst of two wars has been

|,paid^- not only without a murmur, but with unequalled alecrjty. No one is now left to 8'eubt that-mr^burden-will be cheerfully borne dhat may be necessary te sustain our civil itJSf itdtions;- or/guard our honor or our welfaje.. XndfipK^all experience has shown that the willingness of the people to con­tribute to these ends in cases of emergen-ey, has uniformly outrun the confidence of

^ir-rej?re>feni;a'tives. -" In the «arly stages of the new Govern­

ment, "When all felt the imposing influence, as tlji|y recognised fhe unequalled services Of thij-first President, it was a common sen­timent'that the'grcat weight of his oh^rac-ter could #lone bind the discordant materi-

|-*lB-t)f our Government together, and save u"s from tr/e violence of contending factions.— Sino'e his death, nearly forty years are gone. Party exasperation has been often carried to its highest point; the virtue and the forti­tude of the people have sometimes been greatly tried; yet our system, purified and_ enhanced in value by all it has encounter­ed, still preserves its spirit of free and fear­less discussion, blended with unimpaired fraternal feeling.

The capacity of the people for self-gov­ernment, and .their willingness, from a bi§h sense of duty, and without those exhibitions of coercive power so generally employed in other countries, to submit to a!l needful re­straints and exactions of the municipal law, have also been favprably exemplified in the history of the American States. Occasion­ally, it is true, the ardor of public senti­ment, outrunning the regular progress of the judicial tribunals, or seeking to reach caus­es not denounced as criminal by the existing law, has displayed itself in a manner calcu­lated to give pain to the friends of free go­vernment, .and to encourage the hopes of thpse who wish for its OvefihoVf

These occurrences, however, have been far less frequent \n our country than in any other of equal population on the globe; and with the diffusion of intelligence, it may well be hoped that they will constantly diminish in frequency and violence. The generous patriotism and sound common sense of the great mass of our fellow-citizens, will assur­edly, in time, produce this result; for as eve­ry assumption of illegal power not only wounds the majesty of the law, but furnishes a pretext for abridging the liberties of the people, the latter having the most direct and permanent interest in preserving ;ho great landmarks of social order, maintaining, on all occasions; inviolability or those constitutional and legal provisions which they themselves have made. " «j

In a supposed unfitness 'of our institutions for those hostileemergencies,which no coun­try can always a v o ^ . their friends found a fruitful source apprehension, their enemies of hope. WhiWiraey foresaw less prompt­ness of action than in Governments different­ly formed, they overlooked the far more im­portant consideration that'with us war coutd never be the result of individual or irrespon­sible will, but must be a measure pf redress for injuries sustained, voluntarily resorted to by those who were to bear the necessary sa­crifice, who would consequently feel an in­dividual interest in the contest, and whose energy would be commensurate with the.dif-ficulties tp be encountered.

Actual events have proved their error; the last war, f?r from impairing, gave new copfi-dence to our •Government; and amid recent apprehensions of a .similar ppoflicj, WJ? saw that the energies of our country would not be wanting in ample .season to vindicate its rights,- We may not possess, as we sUwtld not. desire to possess, the extended and ever ready military organization of older nations; we may occasionally suffer in the outset for want-of ;it;.b*t, among ourselves, all doubt upon .this great point has ceased, while a sal'-utiry experience will .prevent a contrary opin­ion from inviting aggression from abroad.

Certain danger was foretold from the ex­tension of pur4erritory, the multiplication of States, and the increase of population. Our system was supposed to be adapted only to boundaries comparatively narrow. <ST-hese have been widened beyond conjecture; the members of our confederacy are already doubled; and the numbers of our people are incredibly augmented. The alleged causes of danger have long surpassed,anticipation, but node of tbe-conseqoences wave followed. The power and influence of the republic have risen te the height obvious to all mankind;

all human institutions, and looking only to the general result, every patriot has reason to be satisfied. While the Federal Govern­ment has successfully performed its appro­priate functions in relation to foreign affairs, and concerns evidently national, that of every State has remarkably improved in protecting and developing local interests and individual welfare, and if the vibrations of authority have occasionally tended too much towards one or the other, it is unquestionably certain that the ultimate operation pf the entire system has beeu tp.strengthen all the existing insti­tutions, and. to elevate our whole country in prosperity and renown

TE

of executive conduct which. leaves little to my discretion, unless, indeed, /were willing to ruin my constituent^ WeseA.ulously cul­tivate ihe friendship pf all natioi 's. as the condition most compatible' with oa r welfare and the principles-af pur government We decline alliance,,as,adverse to our pen cc.— We desifa. commercial relations on e^1"0'

valent fpr advantages received We endeavor to conduct .our intercourse

with openness and sincerity; promptly avow­ing our objects, and seeking to establish that mutual frankness which is as beneficial in the dealings of nations as of men. We have' no dispositiqn, and disclaim all right to med­dle in,disputes, whether into.rnnl or foreign, that may molest other countries; regarding them in their actual,state, as social commu­nities, and preserving a strict neutrality in all their controversies. \

Well knowing the; tried valor of our peo­ple, and our exhaustless resources, we nei­ther anticipate nor fear any designed aggres­sion ; and, in the consciousness of our own just conduct, wo feel a security that we shall never be called upon to exert our determina­tion, never (0 permit an invasion of our rights without punishment or redress.

In approaching, then, in the presence of my assembled countrymen, to make the so­lemn promise that yet remains, and pledge myself that I will faithfully execute the of­fice I am about to fill; I bring with me a sett tied purpose to maintain the institutions of my countrv,which, I trust, will atone for the errors I commit.

Ip1 receiving from.'the people the sacred trust twice confided to my illustrious prede­cessor, and which be has discharged so faith­fully an.d "so" wcH, I know that I cannot ex­pect to perform the arduous^tnsk with equal ability and success/ But, united as I have been in his counsels^ a daily witness of his exclusive and unsurpassed devotion to bis pountry's welfare, agreeing with him in sen­timents which his countrymen have warmly supported, and permitted to partake largely of his confidence, t may hope that somewhat of the same, cheering, approbation wilf be found to attend upon, my path. ' - .

For-him, 1 but express, with my own, the wishea of all—that he may yet long live to enjoy fhe brilliant evening of his well spent life.; and for myself,, .conscious of bat one desire, faithfully ,to serve my country, I throw myself, without fear, on injustice and its kindness. Beypnd that, I only look to the gracious protection of the Divine Beiug, whose strengthening support I humbly solicit, and whom I fervently pray to look down up-.on us all. 'May it be among the dispensa­tions of Ilis providence to bless pur beloved country with honors and with length of days —may her ways be ways of pleasantness, and all her paths be peace.

MAft-TlN VAN BUHEN.. Washington, March 4th, 1837. After the address was delivered, the oath

was administered to the President by the Chief Justice ; and the Vice President, Sec­retary, and Mejnbers of thefSenate, pre-

fibs, proceeded

tuyyf we nnd. that it has preserved unini paired the liberties of the people, secured, the rights of property, aud that our country has improved and is flourishing beyond.any former example in the history of nations.

In' our domestic concerns there is ev»>rv terms, being ever willing to give a fair eta •ULVHng t 0 encourage u s ; and if you are true

respect wfc'its authority was not more appar­ent at ifs'ancient, than it is at its present lim­its'? new and inexhaustible sources of general prosperity have been opened.; the effects of distance have been averted, by. the inventive geniua-ofjiur people, developed and fostered by the spirit of our institutions J and the en­larged variety and amount of interests, pro­ductions, and pursuits, have strengthened the chain of mutual 'dependence, and formed a cirpie of ~niu.tuaV1»enefits, tpo apparent ever to be overlooked.

Ininstly balancing the powers of tbe J! ed-eral and,State au1horitles,'dimcuHies. nearly insurmountable arose at the outset, and sub-, sequent collisions were inevitable- Amid theses it was scarcely believed possible that a scheme of government, soUomplex in con­struction, could remain ubihjured. From lime to time embarrassments have certainly occurred-; but how just is the confidence of future safety imparted ,by the knowledge that each in succession has been happily reritov-

rtbe ians of years. I ed. - Overlooking paVtfctl'amrtemporary evils Tip h f r t D W ihtended' twr as irisiparable'frqm toe pradtfbal operaitipn of

I- prpaneMMSly :onward through all" the con-1 '#icts\p| Jcj^tnstances, and the vicissitudes

15 inseparbkft— " " • l a " " T h e W $

e last, perhaps the greatest* of the prom­inent sources of d iscord and disaster supposed to lurk in our political condition, was the in­stitution of domestic slavery. Our forefa­thers were deeply impressed with the deli­cacy of this subject, and they treated it with a forbearance so evidently wise, that, in spite of every sinister foreboding, it never, Until the present period, disturbed the tranquility of our common country.

Such a result is sufficient evidence of the justice and patriotism of their course; it is evidence nfct to be mistaken, that an adhe­rence to'it can prevent ajl embarrassment from this; as well as from every other anti­cipated cause of difficulty and danger. Have not recent events made it obvious to the slightest reflection, that the least deviation frotnjhis spirit of forbearance is injurious to evpry interest, tljalpf humanity included ? Amidst the violerice'of excited passitms, this generous and fraternal feeling has beepspme-times disregarded; and standing as I now 1 do, before my countrymen in this high' place of honor and of trust, I cannot refrain from anxiously invoking my feUow-c'itiisens never to° be deaf to its dictates. "

Perceiving, before my election, the deep interest this subject was beginning to ex­cite, I believed it a solenjo duty fully to make known my sentiments in regard to it—and now when every motive for misrepresenta­tion has passed away, I trust that they will be candidly weighed and upderstood. At least they will, by my standard of conduct in the path before-me. I then declared that, if the desire of those of my countrymen who were favorable to my, election was gra­tified, '• I . roust go into the Presidential Chair the inflexible and uncompromising opponent of every attempt, on—the part of Congress, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, against the wishes of the slave holding states; and also with a determina­tion equally decided tp resist the slightest interference with it in the states where it ex­ists." J submitted , also to my fellow-citi­zens, with fulness and frankness, the reason which led me to this determination.

The result authorises me to believe that they have been approved, and are confided in, by a majority of the people of the.United States, including those whom they most im­mediately affect. It now only remains to add, that no bill conflicting with these views can ever receive my constitutional sanction.

These opinions have been adopted in the firm belief that they are in accordance with 1 „„ • -A . .. . a , . ,s

;the spirit that actuated the venerated fathets ?ed,fd & «heir Sergeant at-afl of the republic, and that succeeding expe- ' t 0 t h e S e n a t e C h a m b e r -rience has proved them to be humane, pa­triotic, expedient, honorable, and just.. If the agitation of this subject was intended to reach the stability of our institutions, enough has occurred,to show that it has signally failed; and that in this, as in every Qt her instance, the apprehensions of the timid and the hopes of the wicked for the destruction of our government, are again destined to be disappointed-

Here and there, indeed, scenes of danger­ous excitement have occurred; terrifying instances of local violence have been witnes­sed ; and a reckless disregard of the conse­quences of their conduct, has exposed indi­viduals to papular indignation; but neither masses of the people, nor sections of the country, have been swerved from their devo-tiou to the bond of the union, and the prin­ciples it has made sacred. It will be' ever thus. Such attempts at dangerous agitation may periodically return, but with each the object will be better understood. That pre­dominating affection for our political system which prevails throughout our territorial li­mits; that calm and enlightened Judgment which ultimately governybur^people as one vast body ; will always be at hand to resist and Control every effort, fo feign or domestic, which aims, or would lead, to overthrow our institutions. «•

What can be more gratifying than such a retrospect as this! We look buck on obsta­cles avoided, and dangers overcome : on ex­pectations more than realized, and prosperi­ty perfectly secured. To the hopes of the hostile, the fears of the timid and the doubts of the anxious, acttial experience bas given the conclusive reply. We have seen time gradually dispel every unfavorable forebo­ding, and our constitution surmount every adverse ciicumstance, dreaded at'the outset as beyond control.

Present excitement willt at till times, mag­nify present dangers; but true philosophy must teach us that none more threatening than the past can remain-to* be overcome; and we ought, for we have just reason to en­tertain an abiding confidence in the stability of our institutions, and an entire conviction that, if. administered in the true form, char­acter and spirit in which they were establish­ed, they are abundantly adequate to preserve to us abd our children the rich blessings al­ready derived from them ; to make our be­loved land, for a thousand generations, that chosen spot where happiness springs from a perfect equality of pofitical rights.

For myself, therefore; I desire to declare that the principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me, is, a striot adherence to the letter and spirit of the constitution, as it was destined by those who fnrfnea it. Looking back to it as a sa­cred instrument, carefully and not easily fra­med;'remembering'that it was throughout a wojuk of concession and compromise ; view­ing Has limited to nalibnal objects ; regard­ing it as leaving to the people and States all power not explicitly parted with; Ijh^ll, <]n-deav'or to preserve, protect, and defend it, by anxiously referring to its provisions for di­rection in every action. ~

To mattertot domestic concernment which it has intrusted to the federal government, and to suchas relate to our intercourse with foreign nations, I shall zealously, devote my­self— beyond- those limits I shall never pass-

To enter, qn this occasion, into a further or more minute exposition of, my views on the various questions of domestic policy, would be as pbtnis]ye as it was unexpected bcfore*,rarrsTnffrage8.of my countrymen were conferred upon me,' I submitted to tbem, with great precision, my opinions on all the most prominent of these subjects. Those opinions I shall endeavor to carry out with the best of my ability. Our course of foreign policy has been so u-

niform andiatelligibfe.as to constitute a tale

FAREWELL ADDRESS OP

A U B K E W JACKSOIV, FELLOW-CITIZENS :

Being about to retire finally from public life,, I beg leave to offer you my grateful thanks for the many proofs of kindness apd confidence which I have received at your hands. It has been my fortune, in the dis­charge of public duties, civil and military, frequently to have found myself in difficult and trying situations, where prompt decis­ion and energetic action were necessary, and whero the interest of the country re­quired that high responsibilities should be fearlessly encountered : and it is with the deepest emolions of gratitude that. I ack­nowledge the continued and unbroken con­fidence with which .you have sustained, me in every trial. My public life has been a long one; and I canuot hope that it has, at all times, been free from errors. But I have the consolation of knowing that, if mistakes have been committed, they have not seriously injured the country I so anx-J iously endeavored to serve; and, at the moment when I Surrender my last public trust, I leave this great people prosperous and happy ; in the full enjoyment of liber­ty and peace ; and honored and respected by every nation of the World.

Jf^ny-humhle efforts have, in any de­gree, contributed to preserve fo you these blessings, Ihavebeen more than rewarded by the honors you have heaped upon mo; iind, above all, by the generous confidence with which you have supported trie in eve-> ry peril, and with which you have continu­ed tq animate and cheer my path to the closing.hour of my political life. Tho time has no\y come, when advanced ago and a broken' frame warn me to retire from pub­lic concerns; but the recollection of the many favors you have bestowed opon me is engraven upon my heart, and I have felt that I- could not part from your service without making this public acknowledg­ment of the gratitude I owe you. And if I use the occasion to offer to you the coun­sels of age and experience, you will, I trust, receive them with the same indulgent kind­ness which ypu have so .often extended to me; and will, at least, see in them an ear­nest desire to perpetuate, in this favored land, the blessings of liberty and equal laws.

We have now lived almost fifty years^ under the constitution framed by the sages and patriots of fhe Revolution. Tho con­flicts in which the nat|ons of Europe were engaged during a great part of this period ; the spirit in which they wa^ed war against jgach other; and our intimate commercial connexions with every part of the civilized world, rendered it a time of4t>uch difficul­ty for the Government of the United States; We have had bur^easans of pejiceand "of j war, with aljl* the'-fwjjf wliiclfprecedc or ' . follow a state bftfoitimy with powerful na-tiojBS*. We encoiih'fe'red these trials with our constiuitidn yet in it*'infancy, and un­der the iMSdyaiTtages which a new and un-iried Government must always fee) when it is called:upon:topnt forth its whole strength,

* - • - • " - - ' J - ! t , ,

Uf yourselves, nothing can impede your march to the highest point of national. pro3-

p erhy. The states which had so long been r e t , i rded in their improvement, by the In-' diari tribes residing in the midst of them, are at length relieved from the evil; and this'uhK'aPPy race—;the original dwellers in'our')am'' i~"are n o v v placed in a situation where wo may well hope that thejf'jvllt share in the .blessings of civilization, and be saved from that degradation and des-* traction to whifei'1 they were rapidly has-

honing while they * r e r a a i n e d in the States; and while the safdtM

v a n d comfort of our own citizens have b o v n greatly promoted by their removal, the. ^Philanthropist will rejoice that the. remnant of that ill-fated race has been at length pbjv*<<tf beyond the reach of injury or oppression^ and that the paternal care of the General government will hereafter watch over them ai^d protect them.

If we turn to our relations with t'breign powers, we find our condition equally £rat~ ifying. Actuatt d° by the sincere desire to do justice-to every nation, and,to p resem 0

the blessings of peace", our intercourse with them has been conducted on the part of this Government in the spirit of frankness, and I take pleasure in saying, that it has generally been ihet in a corresponding tem­per. DrntcuTtTes of old standing have bee n surmounted by friendly discussion, and ihe mutual desire to be.just; .and the claims of our citizens, which had been long withheld, have at length been acknowledged and ad-J justed, and satisfactory arrangements made for their final payment; and with.a limi­ted, and, I trust, a temporary exception, our relations with every foreign power ara how of the most friendly character—our commerce continually expanding, and our flag respected in every quarter of the world. • •' .

These cheering and grateful prospects, and these multiplied favors, we owe, under Providence, to the adoption of the Feder­al constitution. I t is no longer a question whether this gi eat country can remain hap­pily united, and flourish under our present form of government. Experience, the un­erring test of all human undertakings, has shown the wisdom and foresight of those who formed i t ; and has proved, that in the union of these States there is a sure

[ foundation for the brightest hopes of free­dom, and for the happiness of the people. I At every hazard, and by every sacrifice, this Union must be preserved.

The necessity of watching with jealous anxiety for the preservation of the Union, was earnestly pressed upon his fellow-citi--zens by thc-<Father of-his country, in his farewell address. He has there told us, that " while experience shall not have de­monstrated its impracticability, there will always be reason to distrust tho patriotism 'of those whe, in any quarter, %mny endea­vor to weaken its bonds;" and ,he has cautioned us, in the strongest terms, against the formation of parties, on geographical discriminations, as one of the means which might disturb our union, and to which de-sighing men would be likely to resort.

The lessons contained in this invaluable legacy of Washington to his countrymen should be cherished in tho heart of tvery citizen, to the latest generatipn ; and, per­haps* at no period of time could they be more usefully remembered than at the pre­sent moment. For when we look upon the-seenes that are passing around us, and dwell upon the pages of his parting ad­dress, his paternal counsels would seem to ho hot merely the offspring of wisdom and foresight, but the voice of prophecy fore­telling events and warning us of the evil to come. Forty years liave jiassed since diis imperishable document was given to his countrymen. Tho Federal constitution was then regarded by him as an experi­ment, and he so speaks of it in his address; ljyt_ aji experiment upon the success of which the best hopes of his country de­pended,- and we all know Umt.be Vas" pre­pared to lay down his life, if necessary, to-secure to it a full and a fair trial. The trial has been matfe. It has succeeded be-ypndthe proudest hopes of thdse who fra­med it. Every quarter of this widely ex­tended nation has felt its blessings, nnd shared in the general prosperity produced by its adoption. But amid tins general prosperity and splendid success, tho dan­gers of which he warned us are becoming every day more etident, and the signs of evil are sufficiently apparent to awaken the deepest anxiety in the bosofti Pf the j patriot. We behold systematic efforts publicly made to sow the seeds of ^iscord between different parts of the JU. States, and to place party divisions directly npon geographical distinctions ; to excite the sooth against the north, and the north a-gainst the south, and to force into the con­troversy the most delicate and cxeking topics ; topics upon which it is impossible that a large "portion of the Union can ever speak without strong emotion. Appeals, too, are constantly made to, sectional in­terests, in order to influence the election of the Chief Magistrate, as if it were desi­red that he should favor a particular quar­ter of the country, instead of fulfilling the duties of his station with inipartial justice to a l l ; jind the possible dissolution of the Union has at length become ah ordinary and familiar suject of discussion^ Has the warning voice of Washington been forgot­ten ? I-* have designs already been formed to sever the Union 1 Let it not bb suppo­sed that I impute to all of those wh'6 have tal^en an active part in these unwise and. unprofitable discussidnsVa. w$nt of patriot­ism or of1 public virture. Tthe honorable

and local. aQach-

uiations ol the several States musmfrt

; | d i f fp r ' f tbh>*i&r#i ia» princiblesi

Jaw Mi

increased^. which t b e ^ e r ? ^ p «

'JufioW.'and,';tbrre,f«reV1>Fa1i|j

independent StatestrBht'IjicH \™«$s*s unqttestionabl^.nght!W;1-ef6lale^I# terpa! coiieerjn^aec«rdingt4||ft^OT and while it does not interfere with'M of the people of other States, i * ; ™ . of the Union, evjery State mjisiWSi judge of the measures firppefib^m safely of its citizens, arid prom"pl¥J^r l | pinessf and ail efforts on tha'part^df^ pTe PF other'States-fo (Bast:'«ifK0n1^ra institutions; and all measures calcnlaJ disturb theicrights of propeVt;,:i ir .^M. jeopardy their peace and internal t r aM^g are in direct opposition to jfn&jMrftipMlmfe', the Union was farmed, and .must ftmfgmt; i ts safety. Motives M^m0tmj^^S^ ' be assigned for this unwarrantable'-Iptem.^,, ence; and weak itie'n^nHr^^f c m i a j l ^ J n ^ ^ ' ~ selves for a moment "that tfiey' aW1laD(SrWgf

never to forget that the citizens 63* o)ha.l b ^ i ^ ^ ^ i^^MMs^m States are ibei.r politicaLbrctbrenj ^ndi^ ^ ¥ i m e ^ ^ ' T 6 M n m

their views, the greJat$od.y of them are e- J • ' .qually., honest and upright with themselves^ Mutual sus^cions and £ep>oaches may in time create mutual hostility;, and g/tful and dosigning men v?ill alwfys-j|e fountj, 4ho aro ready fo foment these taj aj divisions^ and to inflame tho natural jealousies pi'diK,' ferent sections of the country. The'hisfOr ry of the world is full of st-ch examples, and especially the -history of republics.

What have you to gain by divisiph and dissension 1 Delude not yourselves with the belief that sToreach once 'made may be afterwards repaired. If the Union is

ionco severed, the line of separation will gigjw wider and wider.and the controversies. which are now debated* and settled-in the halls of legislation, will then be tried in fields of battle, and terminated by the sword. Neither shojild you deceive your­selves with tho hope, that the first lino of separation would be .the permanent one, and that nothing but harmony and concprd would be found in the new associations formed upon the dissolution of this Union Local interests would still be found there nnd unchastcneu ambition. And if the recollection of common dangers, in whicV the people of these United States stood side by side against the common toe; tlip memory of victories won by t ro r united' valor; the prosperity and happiness they

| ,a ve enjoyed under the present constitu­tion »the proud name they bear as citizens of thVH great ropuSlic: if all these recol­lections a n ( i Proofs of common interest are not s t rou? enough to bind us- together as one peo^'Oi what tie will hold united the new division.'.of empire, when theso bonds have been brot' ; en aD^ this union dissever­ed? The first .line of separation would not last for a s^gi ' 0 ' generation ; new.frag-ments would bo u"«» off; new leaders would spring up; aim' 'h i* grfat and glo­rious republic would so,™ be broken into a multitude of petty stai'es, without com­merce, withouuredit; j e a > u s pf one an­other ; armed for mutual iigg,"es^011 > load­ed with taxes to pay armies a.nd leaders ; seeking aid against each othe»" from for­eign powers ; insulted and tramp.'ed upon by the nations of Europe, until ha.massed by conflicts, and hunibled'tmd debafH. d in spirit, they would be ready to subnh ' t o tho absolute dominion of any military at ' -venturer, and to surrender their liberty fpr the sake of,repose. I t- is impossible^ to look on the consequences that would inevitably follow the distruction of this

Government, and not feel indignant when we hear cold calculations about tho value of the Union, and have constantly before

VSKS

antly through all thes^dimcultje*. Our constitution is no longer a doubtful exp'cr-

us a line of conduct so well calculated to Weaken its ties.

There is too much at stake to allow piide or passion to influence your decision*.'" Ne­ver for a moment believe that the great body of the citizens of any state or states cati de­liberately intend to do wrong. They may under the influence of temporary excitement or misguided opinions, commit mistakes; they may be misled for a time by the sug-gestions,,oC_8elf-in,jcrest; but in a communi­ty so enlightened and patriotic as the peo­ple of the United States, argument will soon make them sensible of their errors; and when convinced, they will be ready to repair them. If they have no higher or better mo­tives to govern Ihem, they will at least per­ceive that their own interest requires them to be just to others as they hope to receive justice at their hands.

But in order to maintain the Union unim­paired, it is abselclely necessary that the laws passed by ll>c constituted nuthoiities should be faithfully executed in every part of (he country, and that every good citizen should, at all times, stand ready to put down, with,, the combined forpo pf the nation, every attempt at unlawful resistance, under whatev­er pretext in may be -made, or whatever shape it may assume. Unconstitutional or oppressive Jaws may no doubt be passed by Congress* either from erroneous views, or the w.'int of due consideration ; if they are wiihin the reach of judicial authority, the remedy is easy and peaceful ; and if, from the character of ihe law, it is an abuse of power not within the control of the judiciary, then free discussion nnd calm appeals to rea­son and the justice of the peopls will not fail to redress the wrong. ,M •* . '

llux until tho law slinlt be dcelared void by ihe courts, or re pealed by congress, no indi­vidual or combination of individuals, ean be [ justified in forcibly resisting its execution.— It is impossible that any government ran continue to exist upon any other principles. It would cease to be a government, and be unworthy of the name, if it had not the "pow­er to enffljcle the execution of its own laws within its own sphere of actions. J t is true that cases may be imagined dis-

[ closing such a settled purpose of usurpation afid oppression, on the " - r -'- - '"• - -ment,' as would justify These, however, are e we have np reason to a ejjimcnt where the power

I a patriotic people ; and no citizen who loves' his country would in tiny case whatever, re­sort to forcible resistance, unleSs he clearly saw that the time,had come when a freeman should prefer deaih to {submission ; for if such srstruggj^w once lieptfn, and fhe'ej? lizens of One section of the country arrayed in arms against those of another in doubtful conflict, lej. the battle result as it may, there will bean end of the Union, mid with it, an end to the hopes oif freedom.- The victory! of the injured would nut secure to them the blessings of liberty ; it would avenge (Heir wrongs, but thoy would themselves snare in the corompn ruin,

But the constitution cannot be maintained 1 npr the union preserved, ik Apposition to* public feeling, by the mere exertion offm} coercive.iptwers,confided to the Cfeneral Government. Tlie fouwlatioBr must be laill 1 in the affections of the people; in tbeiccu-"' fity "if ogives to life, libeity, chaV'Screr, and property, in every quarter of the country ; and in the fraternal attachment which tbe citizens pf ibA.sfyeral States bear to otie an--other as njeih^ers of one polities! "family, mutually cointflb'titing to promotef the'"hap­piness of each other. Hence the cifiz'ens of fiiery # a t e should studiously avoid jy^ry' I thing calculated' to wouritCt fce serisijpi'ty dr ' Qffceii thejust pride of the ^eppl^toTirjfeV States; amLthfi?shWlJdfytttwnuppoaMyfii'd-

but mischief can come from these irojgf#e^ ^assaults upon the feelings antl' rights pjfwh?.' 1 ers. Rest assured, that the men found busy in this' work'' of discord dre ti6t~9orim^oi £?£'&% yffur confidence and'destrve yo'uT^tfon^sV^^IM' reprobation. '•_—•••- — » - o ' ^ „ " ^ |

in the legislation of Congress, .als'oV anrf in every measure of the General ^ptfern-ment, justice'To every portion of the"fjiii'ted" States sbould be faithfully observed?- ~ffe free Government can staud wit'boufffiUreyi the people, and a lofty spirit of patriotism ; " and if the sorded feelings of mere selfishness shall usurp the plaeTWhich ought toWfill-.' ed by public spirit, ihe legislation' 'of.'Oo'n-gress will soon be converted into a i,crt>mble for personal and sectional' advantages; Uiw der onrfree institutions, the citizens of eVe'ry quarter of our countiy are capable'of attain­ing a high degree of prosperity and: 'h'appt-. ness, without seeking to profit themselVesCat ihe expense of others; and every such -at­tempt must in the end fail tosreceed, forthe people in every part of the United States a'ro too enlightened not to understand their own rights and interests, and to defect and defeat" every effort to gain undue advantages 'over them ; and when such designs are'discover­ed, it naturally provo'kes resentments wnich cannot always be easily allayed. • Justice, -full and ample justice, to every pnrtion-'of the United States, should be the ruling prin­ciple of every freeman, and should-g'lide the

deliberations of every public bo'dy,'whether it '--e State or Nationals

tt is well known that thete have always been t/iose amongst us who wish to enlarge the pot*."re of tbe General Government;'and experience would seem to indicate that there' is a tended c3 o n 'he part of this Govetfe- ' ment fo over, ""ep1 be boundaries marked out for it bythec(t.ns ,i , u ! 'on* I " legittmauria-thority is a."iunV:,n''y sufficient for ollrfhe* purposes for wlnV1 '" *B» created ;pdd its powers being expVMsty enum»ralfed,1jifr»i can be no justificatitV f o r claiming any tfiffitf-beyond tbem. Every attempt to &&%&>• power beyontl these limvls^hotildbe prompt-• ly and firmly opposed. ' JFor'Ppe evil exam­ple will lead (0 other measures---still niore mischievous; and if the jptrinciple pf*con-ftructive powers, or sUppore ''rid3ranfage's; 'or-temporary circumstances, shiti'I «vei';be })"eri?*?

mined to justify the ,nssumpiioV|'.'>f'»'power ' not given by ihe constitution, We' Gerjefnl Government'wffl before long' abs&rB'all the powers of legislhiioii, and yon 'w^ht r te in effect, but one cons6lid8fed Government. From the extent of our:country, its%3S»verii-ficd interests, differeurpursuits, andllfhVrent habits, it is too obvious for argument--$tof a :

single consolidated Governrhebt woulttfla-wholly inadequate to watch PVe^and -grpisStt" its interests; and eve'ry friend5"fof 'dfi'r'fi^ -institutions should be always p'repfarea'^ta'

maintain unimpaired and faY fuir~vi'gbV"?tlfe-\ nchts and sovereignty of tbe States,1 arftHo * s

confine ihe aciion of the Gen^raf ^Govern* f ment strictly to the sphere nf iis'npproririab duties. . ' • ;"%}^%"

There is "perhaps, no one of lbj|*rofoer» ,ror,fnred on tbe Federal GoVern1fifieBl o'9R-atjfe to abuse as the Taxing power.-'7.H?Jnajk.t'" prdductive and convenient sources ^f'ffevepy ue were necessarily giveh tojt, tha.Hfftrii|n! be able to 'perform the - im^or lan t^n t t e l^ . ' . ' s | | posed' upon i t ; and the taxes whiiS^lt slars- • •*** upon commerce being tmBceaied"YrioiTWI. real payer iP the price of i l leartrc | l !f%|# do not so raaflily at tract the atte^tlfel^tmt people as miaHer sums demaridedfrom^tb1?m" directly by the tax-gatherer./' 'B%!thesMi

on artiCKts bV nec^sh^y, v 7 h | ^ a r ^ d ^ by the great'b6^M-"thei<p^^lelliSitiH«je3rj:«tf.5 raised by th^sm^^^fk^ij^^^p^

ihe people when if K f ^ M S f r gitimate wants of l h a . ^ p V # i f * g

Plain as these prtoi,i»tes|.*p|«|il«W will yet find that % # ? * , &tioh#jg ibdiice the 6(Jner*fl|vMHMriF yond the limits oT « g p § impose unde>%ssaHrfbWd^M| pie. iftany fibwerful i'nteteitM aiy at.wprit5 p k d K U « «

redl j&efcessitles of thr j f b l M f « the cbuotVy bis a l r e * a # w 1 # t » effects •pfiMW'cPinbiWW^KeWJi

most'enlightericd and pure. P . . . . such men aro.conscious of their own Integ- I ccedings wtthtp; their own

and laboii irig a revehne ' ih lFcodl^m'»

ferred?updii ' ^ M ^ M B faste^ i ' i p m V ' $ n % | a a P P ^ t e ttuafsy|ten\ offfeimf, M f f i H

T®"

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