Litchfield enquirer., 1837-03-09

sso hsen favOraby eTempliiod in the history of the American States Occasionally it is true, the ardoI of public sentiment OuTunnng the regular progress o the judicial tribunals seeking to reach cases not de- nounced as criminal by the existing law, has display ed itself in manner calculated to give pain to the friends of free government, and to encourage the hopes of those who wish for it's overthrow These currences however, have been far less frequent in our country than in any other of equal population on the globe; and with the diffusion of intelligence it may well be hoped that they will constantly diminish in frequency and violence. The generous patriotism and sound common sense of the great mass of our fellow citizens will assuredy, in tine produce this result for as every assumption of illegal power not only wounds the majesty of the law, but furnishes pre-
 text for abrdgng the liberties of the people, the latter have the most direct and permanent interest in pre- serving the great land marks of social order, and maintaining, on all occasions the nvioa blllty ot those constitutional and legal provisions which they them- selves have made.
 In supposed unftness of our institutions for those hostile emergencies which no country can always a. sion, their enemies of hope. While they toresaw less prompness of action than in Governments differently formed they overlooked the far more important con sderation that with could never be the result of individual irresponsible will, but must be mea- of red ress for injuries sustained, voluntarily resor
 ted to by those who to bear the necessary sacr
 flee, who would consequently feel individual inter- est in the contest, and whose energy would be com mensurate with the difficulties to be encountered.- Actual events have proved their error; the last war; far from imparing, gave new confidence to Gov ernment; and amid recent apprehensions of similar conflict we saw that the energies of our country would not be wanting in ample season to vindcate its rights. We may not possess, as should not desire to pos- sess, the extended and ever ready military organiZa- ton ot other nations; we may occasionally suffer in the outset for the want of it but, among ourselves all doubts upon this great point have ceased, while salutary experience will prevent contrary opinion from inviting aggression from abroad.
 Certain danger was foretold from the extension of our territory, the multiplication of states and the in crease of population Our system was supposed be cd f0 a These have been widened beyond conjecture the members of our confederacy already doubled and
 s ur are a% ticipaon, but of the consequences have follow ed. The power and influence of the republic have risen to height obvious to all mankind respect for its authority not apparent at its ancient than 1t IS at it's present limits; new and nexhaustlbe sour ces of general prosperity have been opened; the eff fleets of distance have been averted by the inventive genius of our people, developed and fostered by the spirit of our nstitutions and the enlarged variety and amount of interests, productions, and pursuits, have strengthened the chain of mutual dependence, and formed circle of mutual benefits too apparent ever to be overlooked.
 In justly balancing the powers of the Federal and state authorities, difficulties nearly insurmountable the sd Ad bse ere lieved possible that scheme of government, so com plex in construction could remain uninjured From time to time endorsements have certainly occurred but how just is the confidence of future safety mpar ed by the knowledge that each in succession has been happily removed Overlooking partial and temporary evils as nseparabe from the practical operation ot all result every patriot has reason to be satisfied While the Federal Government has successfully performed its appropriate functions in relation to foreign affairs and concerns evidently national that of every State has remarkably improved Tn protecting and develop ing local interests and individual welfare; and if the vibrations of authority have occasionally tended too much towards or the other it is unquestionably cera that the ultimate operation of the entire sys- tenn has been to strengthen all the existing institutions, and to elevate our whole country in prosperity and re- nown.
 of dscord and disaster supposed to turk in our political condition. was the institution of domestic sla- very. Our foreathers were deeply impressed with the decacy of this subject, and they treated it with for bearance evidently wise, that in spite of every sinister forebodng never until the present period, disturbed the tranquility of our common country. Such result is sufficient evidence of the jusce and the patriotism of their is evidence not to be mistaken that adherence to 1t can prevent all em barrassment from this, well from every other an ticipated cause of difficulty danger. Have not cent events made it obvious to the slightest reflection, that the least deviation from thls spirit ot torbearance is injurious to every interest," that ot humanity nclud- ed /? Amidst the violence of exciting passions, this generous and fraternal feeling has been sometimes dis regarded and, standing as now do before my coun- trymen in this high place of honor and of trust, can not refrain from anxiously invoking my ielow-czens my election, the deep interest this subject was begin ming to excite believed it solemn duty fully to make known my sentiments in regard toit and now, when every motive for msrepresen entaton has passed away, trust that will be candidly weighed and understood. At least they will be my standard of conduct in the path before me then declared that if the desire of those of my countrymen who were favorable I to my tial Chair the infexible and uncompromisng oppo- nen of every attempt the part of Congress to abol ish slavery in the District of Columbia, against the wishes of the slavehoding States and also with de- termination equally decided to resist the slightest in reference with it in the States where it exists" submitted also to my fellow citizens with tuness and frankncss, the reason which led me this detcnnina ton. The result authorizes to believe that they have been approved, and confided in, by major ity of the people of the United States, including those whom they most immediately affect. It now only re- mains to add, that no bill conflicting with these views can ever receive my constitutional sanction. These opinions have been adopted in the firm belief that they are in accordance with the sp,rt that actuated the ing experience has proved them to be humane, patriot ic xpedien honorable, and just If the agitation of this subject was intended 10 reach the stability of our institutions, enough has occurred to show that it has sgnay failed and that in this, in every other in sance the apprehensons of the timid and the hopes of the wicked for the destruction of Government, are again destined to be disappointed Here and there indeed, of dangerous excitement have occur red terrifying instances of local violence have been witnessed and a reckless disregard of the conse- quences of their conduct has exposed lndlyduals to popular indignation have been swerved from their devotion the bond of union, and the principles has made sacred. It will be ever thus. Such attempts at dangerous agitation may periodically renrn but with each the object will be better understood. That pre- dominating affection for our political system which prevails throughout our territorial limits that calm and enlightened judgment which ultimately governs our people as one vast body will always be at hand to resist and control every effort foreign domestic, which aims, would lead to overthrow our institu- tions.
 What can be more gratifying than such retrospect as this We look back on obstacles avoided, and dangers overcome on expectations more than reali- zed, and prosperity perfectly secured To the hopes of the hostile, the fears of the nd. and the doubts of the anxious actual experience has given the conclu- sive reply. We have time gradually dispel every unfayorable forebodng, and constitution sur