The occurrences of the past year, in connection with our domestic
concerns, are to be reviewed with a sentiment of fervent gratitude
to the Great Disposer of Human Events; that tributes of grateful
acknowledgment are due for the various and multiplied blessings He
has been pleased to bestow on our people; that abundant harvests in
every quarter of the State have crowned the exertions of
agricultural labor; that health almost beyond former precedent has
blessed our homes, and that there is not less reason for
thankfulness in surveying our social condition.

It would indeed be difficult to imagine oppression where in the social
condition of a people there was equal cause of thankfulness as for
abundant harvests and varied and multiplied blessings with which a kind
Providence had favored them.

Independently of these considerations, it will not escape observation
that South Carolina still claims to be a component part of the Union, to
participate in the national councils and to share in the public benefits
without contributing to the public burdens, thus asserting the dangerous
anomaly of continuing in an association without acknowledging any other
obligation to its laws than what depends upon her own will.

In this posture of affairs the duty of the Government seems to be plain.
It inculcates a recognition of that State as a member of the Union and
subject to its authority, a vindication of the just power of the
Constitution, the preservation of the integrity of the Union, and the
execution of the laws by all constitutional means.

The Constitution, which his oath of office obliges him to support,
declares that the Executive "_shall take care that the laws be
faithfully executed_" and in providing that he shall from time to time
give to Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend to
their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient, imposes the additional obligation of recommending to Congress
such more efficient provision for executing the laws as may from time to
time be found requisite.

The same instrument confers on Congress the power not merely to lay and
collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and
provide for the common defense and general welfare, but "to make all
laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into effect the
foregoing powers and all other powers vested by the Constitution in the
Governmen