authorities, is productive of no other consequences than bitterness,
alienation, discord, and injury to the very cause which is intended to
be advanced. Of all the great interests which appertain to our country,
that of union - cordial, confiding, fraternal union - is by far the
most important, since it is the only true and sure guaranty of all
others.

In consequence of the embarrassed state of business and the currency,
some of the States may meet with difficulty in their financial
concerns. However deeply we may regret anything imprudent or excessive
in the engagements into which States have entered for purposes of their
own, it does not become us to disparage the States governments, nor to
discourage them from making proper efforts for their own relief. On the
contrary, it is our duty to encourage them to the extent of our
constitutional authority to apply their best means and cheerfully to
make all necessary sacrifices and submit to all necessary burdens to
fulfill their engagements and maintain their credit, for the character
and credit of the several States form a part of the character and
credit of the whole country. The resources of the country are abundant,
the enterprise and activity of our people proverbial, and we may well
hope that wise legislation and prudent administration by the respective
governments, each acting within its own sphere, will restore former
prosperity.

Unpleasant and even dangerous as collisions may sometimes be between
the constituted authorities of the citizens of our country in relation
to the lines which separate their respective jurisdictions, the results
can be of no vital injury to our institutions if that ardent
patriotism, that devoted attachment to liberty, that spirit of
moderation and forbearance for which our countrymen were once