each other by its glorious memories, they abandoned the confederacy,
not to fly apart when the outward pressure of hostile fleets and
armies were removed, but to draw closer their embrace in the formation
of a more perfect union. By such men, thus trained and ennobled, our
Constitution was formed. It stands a monument of principle, of
forecast, and, above all, of that liberality which made each willing
to sacrifice local interest, individual prejudice or temporary good to
the general welfare, and the perpetuity of the Republican institutions
which they had passed through fire and blood to secure. The grants
were as broad as were necessary for the functions of the general
agent, and the mutual concessions were twice blessed, blessing both
him who gave and him who received. Whatever was necessary for domestic
government, requisite in the social organization of each community,
was retained by the States and the people thereof; and these it was
made the duty of all to defend and maintain.

Such, in very general terms, is the rich political legacy our fathers
bequeathed to us. Shall we preserve and transmit it to posterity? Yes,
yes, the heart responds, and the judgment answers, the task is easily
performed. It but requires that each should attend to that which most
concerns him, and on which alone he has rightful power to decide and
to act. That each should adhere to the terms of a written compact and
that all should cooperate for that which interest, duty and honor
demand. For the general affairs of our country, both foreign and
domestic, we have a national executive and a national legislature.
Representatives and Senators are chosen by districts and by States,
but their acts affect the whole country, and their obligations are to
the whole people. He who holding either seat would confine his
investigations to the mere interests of his immediate constituents
would be derelict to his plain duty; and he who would legislate in