The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-03-15

dangers, ia WHICH tHc PSoP'c VI thSoc C"'
ted States stood side by side against thu
common foe the memory of victories wOr
by their united vaIor; the prosperity ant
happiness they have enjoyed under thu
present constitution the proud name the,
bear as citizens of this great republic: j
all these recollections and proofs of conf
mon interest are not strong enough to bint
Us together as one people, what tic will hole
united the new divisions of empire, when
these bonds have been broken and THU
Union discovered 7 The first line of scpa-
ration would not last for single generation
new fragments would be torn off; new leader.
would spring up and this great and glor-
ious republic would soon be broken into d
multitude petty States, without commerce
without credit; jealous Of one another
armed for mutual aggression; loaded with
taxes to pay armies and leaders seeking
aid against each other from foreign powers
insulied and rampled upon by the nations
of Europe, until harassed with conflicts
and humbled aud ,debased in spirit, they
would be ready to submit to the absolute
dominion Of any military adventurer, and to
surrender their liberty for the sake Of re-
pose. 1t is impossible to look on the con
sequences that would inevitably follow the
destruction of this Government, and not feel
indignant when we hear cold calculations
about the value of the Union, and have so
constantly before us a line Of conduct SO
well calculated to weaken its ties.
There is too much at stake to allow pride
or passion 70 influence your decision.
Never for a moment believe that the great
body Of the citizens Of any State or States
can deliberately intend to do wrong. They
may, under the influence Of temporary ex-
citement or misguided opinions, commit
mistakes; they may be mfsled for time
by The suggestions of selfinterest; /; but in a
community so enlightened and patriotic as
The people of the United States, argument
will soon make them sensible Of their er-
ready to repair them. If they have no
higher or better motives to govern them,
they will at enst perceive that their own in-
terest requires them to be just to others as
they hope to receive justice at their hands.
But in order to maintain the union un-
impaired, it is absolutely nece. sary that the
laws passed by the constituted authorities
should be faithfully executed in every part
of the country, and that every good citizen
should, at all times, stand ready to put
down, with the combined force of the na-
ton, every attempt at unlawful resistance,
under whatever pretext it may be made, or
whatever shape it may assume. Unconsti-
tutionaI or oppressive laws may no doubt be
passed by Congress, either from erroneous
views, or the wants Of due consideration !;
if they are within the reach of judicial au-
thority, the remedy is easy and peaceful !;
und if, from the character Of the law, it is
an abuse Of power not within the control Of
the judiciary, then free discussion and calm
appeals to reason and to the justice Of the
people will not fail to redress the wrong.
But until the law shall be declared void by
the courts. or repealed by Congress, no in
dividual, or combination of individuals, can
be justified in forcibIy resisting its execution.
1t is impossible that any Government can
continue TO exist upon any other principles.
1t would cease TO be Government, and be
unworthy Of the name, if it had not the
power to enforce the execution of its own
laws within its own sphere Of action.
1t is true that cases may be imagined dis
closing such settled purpose ofusurpation
and oppression, on the part of the Govern
ment, ms would Justify an appeal to arms.
These, however, are extreme cases, which
we have no reason to apprehend in Gov
ernmcnt where the power is in the hands of
"A patriotic people; and no citizen who
loves his country would, in any case what
ever, resort to forciblo resistance, unless he
clearly saw that the time had come when u
freeman should prefer death to submission
for if such struggle is once begun, and
the citizens of one section of the country ar
rayed in arms against those Of another in
doubtful conflict, let the battle result as It
may, there will he an end of the Union, and
with it, an end to the hopes Of freedom. |.
The victory of the injsred would not Sc
cure to them the blessings of liberty it
would avenge their wrongs, but they would
themselves share, in the common ruin.
Butthc constitution cannot be maintained
lor the Union preserved, in opposition to
public feeling, by the mere excrtion of the
oercive powers con6dcd TO the General
The foundations must be
aid in the affections Of the people in the
ecurity it gives to life, liberty, character,
nd property, in every quarter of the coun-
y; and in the fraternal attachment which
ne citizens of the several States hear to
ne political family, mutually contributing
/, promote the happiness of each other.
Icnce the citizens of every State should !
avoid everything calculated to {
ound the sensibility or offend the just pride G
the people of other States: aud they c
,ould frown upon any proceedings within ,
'eir own borders likely to disturb the tran '
ability of their political brethren in other il
ortions of the Union. In a country so
stensve as the United States, and with ii
irsuits so varied, the internal regulations C
the several States must frequently differ a
om one another in important particulars u
I'd this difference is unavoidably increased n