Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-07-20


government formed by the people of Michi-
gan, republican it was their DUTY to have
Admitted the state into the Union, and to
have referred all incidental questions aris-
ing under the application, for adjudication
before the judicial department OF the gov
eminent. The contrary course as pursued
by them, .evinces determination, to usurp
powers belonging to another tribunal, and
breaks down the barrier established by the
constitution between the judicial and legisla-
tive branches of the government. Was it
not enough that congress should assume the
power of legislating from us part of our
soil, without demanding from us the humi-
liation of adding our assent to the measure
of our wrongs? The right of questioning
their proceedings, is secured to us by the
constitution, and yet we are required to bow
in humble submission to,a power we do not
acknowledge, wisdom we cannot fathom
The resistance of the Revolution was not
a resistance Of sanguinary tyranny alone,
but contest for unalienable rights, tram
pied upon by a British parliament, claiming
to legislate for the people in all cases what
soever. 1t was Revolution for principle
and when we recollect the succession of
injuries which have been heaped upon the
people of Michigan; when we review the
respectful and pacific remonstranccs with
which we have alone SO far opposed them;
when we see that our complaints have not
been heard, or If heard, have been answer
ed with repeated and accumulated injury, it
would seem to warn us that the liberties of
no people are safe, unless the government
is sometimes taught they possess the spirit
of resistance.
But citizens, there are other con-
siderations vitality connected with the pros
perity of the state, and involved in the SUBJ
ject before you, which should not be over
looked. We should be careful how far we
suffer ourselves to be swayed alone by feel
ings, which however just and natural, ought
not to usurp the exclusive direction of our
councils. The question now at issue be-
tween the federal government and the state
of Michigan, is one involving the greatest
part of our people, or resolute and determi-
ned resistance. Are we not to hesitate be-
fore we make the latter choice? Is no sac
rifce due to the character and welfare of
the nation? Should we not count the cost
of the contest we are to embark in, and
should we not look to its consequences to
ourselves and to others? Can we obtain
from the fears of future congress, what the
Justice of the last has denied us? Is there
hope of remedy by which we can re-
dress the injustice done usl But above all
are we ready to sacrifice local feelings and
prejudices, to the prosperity and tranquility
of our country? If the array of force and
terror which is held up beford us, by others,
cannot obtain from us obedience to the leg
islation of congress, will we not recognize
in the controversy the image of the nations
honor, which forbids violence and resist.
ance?
Fellow citizens, to maintain unimpaired
the integrity of our Union, and to preserve
unstained the institutions of our country, is
one of the first duties of every citizen.
Will we hazard these stakes now, or will we
present to the world an example of CON-
promise, dictated by a spirit of patriotic
forbearance, even where injustice demands
it. The federal government was the great
work o. a spirit Of compromise, and it is on
ly by the exercise of the same spirit by the
states, that it is to be perpetuated. With
out this its fall must inevitably come. The
sacrifice we may make, will not perhaps
arrest the approach Of such an event, but
we may derive consolation from the refec-
ton that it is possible for procrastination.
trust my fellow citizens will credit me
when declare that no one can feel more
deeply than myself the humiliation of the
sacrifice we are called upon to make. The
preservation of the integrity of our terrific.
rial limits, has always been the highest OBJ
ject of my ambition. The boundaries
claimed by us are our right, secured by an
instrument as binding and sacred as the
wisdom of man could frame it; and could
we now calculate upon maintaining those
boundaries with any hope of success, it
would be our duty still to hazard the UNDER
taking. In that hope cannot be sanguine.
| indulge the reflection that have shown
heretofore, that no personal interests could
govern me in my official conduct when the
rights of those with whom am identified
demanded their sacrifice; and when am
reminded Of the favor with which that sac
rifce has len received by my fellow citi-
zens, and how much | owe to it my present
elevation, | should prove recreant to my
own reputation, and an migrate to the people,
could now advise an Unnecessary aband-
onment Of their cause. Were / TO consult
the first impulse prompted by the feelings
which every citizen of Michigan must ac-
knowledge, might be led into a determi-
nation to resist the Legislation of congress;
but as public officer called upon to discard
excited feelings, and warned that the perma.
nent. interests of the state are not to be O.
verlooked, should violate my duty did |
recommend to my fellow citizens to en-.
bark in controversy, offering so little hope
of gain, but the certainty ofpermanent loss
and lasting injury to ourselves and the ma.