Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-03-15

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d victories won by their united valor ;
he prosperity and happiness they have
enjoyed under the present constitution;
the proud name they bear as citizens
of this great republic /; if all these re-
collections and proofs Of common inte-
rest are not strong enough to bind US
together as n people, what tie VIII
hold united the new divisions Of en-
pire, when these bonds have been bro
ken aud the Union discovered The
first line of separation would not last
for a single generation ; new fragments
would be torn off; new leaders would
spring up and this great and glorious
republic would soon be broken into a
multitude of petty States, without com
merce, without credit +; jealous OF
another armed for mutual aggres-
sion; loaded with taxes to pay armies
and leaders seeking aid against each
other from foreign powers; insulted
and t~rampled upon by the nations of
Europe, until harrassed with conflict
and humbled and debased in spirit,
they would be ready to submit 10 the
absolute dominion of any military ad-
venturer, and to surrender their liberty
for the sake of repose. II is impossible
to look on the consequences that would
inevitably follow the destruction ofthIs
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 sake TO allow
pride or passion 10 influence your de-
cision. Never for a moment believe
hat the great body of the citizens of
any State or States can deliberately
intend to do wrong. They may, under
the influence Of temporary excitement
or misguided opinions, commit mis-
takes /; they may be misled for u time
by the suggestions ofselfinterest-but
in a community so enlightened and pa
triotic as the people Of the u. States,
argument will soon make them sensi-
BILE of their errors ; and, when %convin-
ced, they will be ready to repair them.
Ifthey have no higher or better mo-
tives to govern them, they will at least
perceive that their W interest re-
quires them to be just to others as they
hope to receive justice at their hands.
But in order to maintain the MOI
unimpaired, it is absolutely necessary
that the laws passed by the constituted
authorities should be faithfully execu-
ted in every part Of the country, and
that every good citizen should, at all
times, stand ready to put down, with
the combined force o. the nation, every
attempt at unlawful resistance, under
whatever pretext it may be made, or
whatever shape it may assume. Un-
constitutional or oppressive laws may
no doubt be passed by Congress, either
from views, or the want of
due consideration if they are within
the reach Of judicial authority, the re-
medy is easy and peaceful and 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 ofthe people will not fail TO re-
dress the wrong. But until the law
shall be declared void by the courts,
or repealed by Congress. no individual
or combination of individuals, can be
justified in forcibIy resisting its execu.
ton. II is impossible that any govern
ment can continue to exist upon any
other principles. 1t would cease to be
a Government and be unworthy of the
name, if it had not the power to enforce
the execution Gifts own laws within its
own sphere Of action.
1t is true that cases may be imagin.
ed disclosing such u settled purpose of
usurpation and oppression, IN the part
of the Government, as would justify an
appeal to arms. These, however, are
extreme cases, which we have no rea.
son to apprehend in a Government
where the power is in the hands of a
patriotic people and no citizen who
loves his country would, in any case
whatever, resort to forcible resistance,
unless he clearly saw that the time had
come when u freeman should prefer
death to submission for if such "a
struggle is once begun. and the citi.
ems of one section of the country ar.
rayed in arms against those of another
in doubtful conflict, let the battle re.
suit as it may, there will be ar end of
the Union, and, with it, an end TO the
hopes of freedom. The victory ofthe
injured would not secure to them the
blessings of liberty ; it would avenge
their wrongs, but they would them.
selves share in the common ruin.
But the constitution cannot be main.
tanned, nor the Union preserved, in
opposition to public feeling, by the
mere exertlon of the coercive powers
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