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10 promote the general welfare, and finally 10 Sc
cure the blessings of liberty them and their de5
| cendants Now, at the head of all these objects
stands out III bold and prominent relief, the great
and noble one toiorm more perfect union amongst
the people OF the States. And will take the lber-
~ gentlemen, to refer to another passage In that
same address OF the Convention to the people OF
| the States when the constitution was sent abroad
for ratification. They say-"In all our delibera-
lions on this subject we kept steadily In view that
which appeared TO the greatest interest of every
| true Amercan--the consolidation of our Union, in
which is involved our prosperity. felicity, safety,
perhaps, our national existence" Now, you VIII
is not applicable to the powers OF government
They do not say that their object is TO consolidate
under the general government all the powers OF
governI:ent-not at all 10 usurp the local authority
OF the Statesnot at all to interfere with that which
In It's nature belongs to local legislation and adnn
lstratlon-but the consolidation ofwhlcb Washing
ton and his associates spoke-is the consolidation
OF the Union for the Just purposes of union. Il is
the strengthening OF the Union for those objects
for which the Union itself ought to exist have
said, and beg leave to repeat 1t, because It lies al
the foundation of all just conception OF the C0nst
tuition OF this country, thar the union which our
fathers attempted to establish, union amongst
the people OF the States, IN everything that regard
ed their diplomatic and foreign relations. and
their intercourse with the nations Of the world and
amongst themselves. It had been very imperfect
and indeed hardly existed at all under the coniede
racy, aud was deficient IN all efficiency or produc
tiveness Of good at the time the convention met
This, then, was the object which was expressly
stated by the members of the convention them
selves in the document to which referred, and
indeed as expressed on the face OF the constitution
itself Now, in furtherance of those objects, the
constitution proceeded to invest the general gov.
ernment with such powers and authority as the
Accomplishment OF those objects appeared TO re-
quire. The constitution conferred upon the gene
raj government to declare war and make peace
the power OF making treaties and that other,
great, and as 1t has turned out, absolutely omnipo
tent power, the regulation OF trade. The govern
ment, gentlemen, has attempted toperform all these
duties 1t has exercised the power of regulating
commerce--it has also sought to establish justice,
another Of its objects-it has done especially in
the great matter Of paying off the sacred debt Of
the Revolutionary has enacted laws to secure do
mestic tranquility, ,and they have been,found efec-
tive-it has also, we all know, provided for the
common defence by the maintenance Of armies
| and naves, and made other provisions necessary
| for the security Of the public veal ia case war
should be aecessary In any contingent controversy
public publ 1 welfare and has not not neglected the the
| means for the security Of the blessings Of Ii
berty. Now these being the objects of the
constitution, you and !, and our contemporaries
throughout the country who have an opinion
to express and vote give after the expiration Of
this half century, bound to put it to ourselves
| and our consciences, whether the object has been
accomplished by the constitution of our country.
Because if Motif the constitution has proved un-
der the past administrations Inefficient and value


less, why then it is time to revert to the exercise of
the great power inherent in the people, of REFORM





consonant to our wishes and designs; but repeat,
! if it be found that the whole il has accomplished
its ends-to have subserved the public tranquility
| to have carried the nation forward in wealth and
| business--to have raised it to point OF glory
and renown, of which you and | and all are
proud, then if it has done this, why then, bound
to it by every tie OF patriotic gratitude, we
are called on to support it with all our hearts
while we live, and 70, transmit. it unimpair-
ed to our children. (Cheers.) Now, say it


with all possible so.emnlty, and with profound rev.
tors that, making all necessary allowances for the
! errors incident TO humanity, and the misforunes
that may occasionally visit all governments,-I say
it to you-to the coun'ry-would to God /
the last generations of men-the constitu-
tion has prosperousy, greatly and glorl-
ous!y answered the ends OF It's establishment. IL
| there be a man In the country, man who doubts
or denies THIS have no great respect tor him, and
| With his feelings have no manner of sympathy
Now, gentlemen, this government was established
at of the most eventfu periods in the history Of
the human race in modern times-just at the break
ing out OF that most tremendous convulsion which
so long shook Europe to its foundations-ln all its
thrones and dynasties-the French Revolution.


We had just commenced the career OF administration
under our great leader OF revolutionary times We
had just commenced our rational being under this
constitution when the French revolution broke out


II proved both safety and secury-it proved compe


tent to preserve nuray to keep us clear IRON being
| submerged and overwhelmed in the maelstroom OF a
European war; and replenisbsd the Treasury and by
gave
name. Il made flag respected by European Powers


over every navigabe by went forth their science
and enterprise. We had assumed general significant,
respectable, and will say proud and imposing name Of
Amercan. (Applause) Under this Constitution we have
attained to the rank Of the second commercial country in
the world. We have risen under it, gentlemen, from
population Of three millions to twenty every interest in
my judgment has been successfully sustained maintain


ed, cherished and nourshed by wise general govern


ment And, now gentlemen. Is there amongyou or


in this country who upon just and candid examination


will not stand by it, who would prefer anoter2
i Of hp paqt
which have 20 far very briefly scanned, you any
thing to be reversed revoluonzed Is there any thing
you ashamed Of as Americans (Cressof no, no)


pnt to the elderly Of this assembly who draw


better practical system which to entrnst the liberties
the property the secnry Of their children7 put it to
the young and those Of middle life who engaged


in the ofbusness IL they have notion OF any
better sysem calculated to secure their interest to
maintain their institutions or to protect their property
ofacvity-the ingenuousness and aspirations OF youth


full Of patriosm and readiness to your country
do wish to render your public services under another
bannerl Cries Of mo Then gentlemen, fellow Amer


citizens If It be true that the Constitution Of the
United States under the various and successive admins


aons which have taken place since 80 has fulfilled all


the just and will say the most sanguine hopes of the
Godthat 10 duty TO preserve and respect II for
sakes and to transmit sacred for that Of Others dear


to ushat cling to as to the ark Of political
great object OF national regard will ADHERE and main


tain and defend it Till dying day. loud and hearty
| hppiausel men, gentiemen, TINS Dc 10, tnat the
Constitution Of the country has been pre-emnentIy
useful the next question is. upon What system


sDT 10 the Of ths counrn 70 has bee


always administered How did II commence what mea.
cures adopted to secure the end in view from ita
cradle Gentlemen, let 60 back to that interesting
epoch, theoommencement Of Washngtons administration


In the State Of New York. under the present Constitution
ofhe United Stotes For myself revisit these al


ways with delight and refresh myself by going back


those spring days Of tho republic In order to contemplate


the character OF those and the character OF those
to admire the pre.emnence Of their patriotism


and tho elevation Of their principles In idea love TO
gather round me the circle Of Warrington his great
the ned Of battle but that political
wisdom and the science Of govcrnment-a field where
prudence discretion and hrmness greater victory
than followed the conflict Of carry myself
back 10 the Halls OF Congress- and feel the inspiration OF
49, and present t. myself lively image Of those wise