Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-04-05

NIL and the possible dissolution of tho Union has
nj length become an ordinary and familiar sub
iact of discussion. Has the warning voice OF
Washington been forgotten or have designs al
andy been formed TO sever the Union Let il |
not be- supposed that imputc to all Of those who |
have taken an active part in thcss unwiso and
improbable discussions, want of patriotism or
of public virtuc.-The honor bile feelings OF State
pride, and local ATTACHING nts, find place IN tho
bosoms ofthc most cpligh'ened and pure. But
whilo such mon conscious OF thcir own mtcg-
rity and honesty ofpurposc' they ought never 10
forge! that tn, citizens OF oiher STATES are their
political brethren and that, however mistaken
they may DO in their views, the great body Of them
arc equally honest and upright with themselves.
Mutual suspicious and approaches may in time
cacutc mutual hostility, and artfdl and designing
man will always be found, who are rc,dy to TO
mcnt thesc f.tal divisions. and TO infi,m, the
natural jealouscs of different sections OF tho
country. Tn, history Of the world Is full CT such
examples, and espccially the history irepubiics.
What have YOU to gum by division and dissen-
tion Deludc not yourselves with the belief that
n breach once made may be afterwards rep tired.
If the Union is once severed, the line of separa-
tion will grow wider and wider, and the contro-
yersies Which ars now debated and settled in the
halls of legislation, win then be tried in fields of
battle and determined by the sword. Neither
should you ,ccivs yourselves with the hope,
manent one and that nothing bat harmony and
concord would be found in the new associations
FORMED ;'pon the dissolution o. this Union. Lo-
cal interests would still be found there, and un-
chas.encd ambition. And if the recollection of
common dangers in which the people of these
United States stood sido by side against the CON-
non fos the memory Of victories won by their
valor the prosperity and happiness they have
cnioyed under the present constitution; the
proud nam, thoy bear as citizens Of this gr- at
republic if all these rccolections and proofs of
common interests arc not strong enough TO bind
us together as one people, what tic will hold the
new divisions of empire, when these bonds have
been broken and this Union discovered Tho
first limo of separation would not last for single
generation; and this great and glorious republic
would soon be broken into multitude OF petty
States, without commerce. without credit Jeal
GUS of one another; armed for mutual aggression;
loaded with taxas to pay armies and leaders !;
seeking aid against each other from foreign pow
crs /; insulted and trampled upon by the nations
of Europe, until harassed with conflicts, and
humbled and debascd in spirit, they would be
ready to submit to the absolute dominion OF any
military adventurer, and to surrender their liberty
Cor the sake of reposc. IL is impossible TO look on
thoconsoque"s--, hot would inevitably follow the
destruction of this Govcrnnre.-.,---ad not feel
indignant when we hear cold calculations about
the value Of the Union, and have constantly be-
fore us o line of conduct 30 well calculated to
weaken its ties.
There is too much et'stakc to allow pride or
passion to influence your decision. Mover for a
moment believe that the great body ofthe citizens
of any State or States can deliberately intend to
do wrong. They may, under tina influence of
temporary excitement or misguided opinions,
commit mistakes they may be mislcd for time
by the suggestions of self interest but in a COM
munity so enlightened and patriotic as the people
of the United States, argument will soon make
them sensible oftheir errors; and when convinced
they will be ready 10 repair them. If they have
no higher or better motives to govern them, they
will at least perceive that their own interest re.
quires them to DO just to others as they hope 10
receive Justice at their hlnds.
But in order TO maintain the Union unimpsired
II is absolutely nee ssary that the laws passed by
tho constituted authorities should be faithfully
executed in every part of the country, and thtt
every good citizen should, at all times stand
ready 70 put down, with the combined force of
the nation, every attempt at unlawful resistance,
under whatever pretcxt il may be made, or what.
shape it may assume Unconstitutional or
oppressive laws may doubt be pissed by Con-
gross, either from erroneous views, or the want
ofdue consideration if they arc within re, ch of
judicial authority, the remedy is easy and peace
full; and if, from tho character fthc law, it is an
abuse of power not within the control of the ju-
dietary, then free discussion and calm appeal to
reason and the justice of the people will not fail
30 redress the wrong. But until the law shall
be declared void by the courts, repealed by Con.
gross, no individuals Gun be justified in forcibly
resisting its execution. 1t is impossible that any
Government can continue TO exist upon any
other principles II would cease to be Govern
ment, and DO unworthy of the name, if it had
not the power to enforce the execution of its own
laws within its own sphere of action.
In true that cases NAV b., mnOIncl disclosing
such settled purpose of usurpation and opprce-
sion, on the part of the Government as would
justify an appeal to arms. These, however, arc
extrcmo cases, which we have no reason 10 appre-
hend in Government where the power is in the
hands of a patriotic people and no citizen who
loves his country would in any case whatever, re-
sort to forcible resistance, unless he clearly saw
that the time had come when freeman should
prefer death to submission for ifsuch struggle
IL once begun, and the citizens of one section of
tho country arraycd in arms against those Of
another in doubtful conflict let the battle result
as it may, there will DO an end of the Union, and,
with it, I'm end to the hopes Of freedom. The
victory Of the injured would not secure to them
The blessings of libsrty;it would avengc thnir
wrongs, but they would themselves share in the
Common ruin.
But the constitution cannot be maintained, nor
the Union preserved, in opposition to public feel
ing, by the nero excrtion of the coercive powers
confided to the General Government. The foun-
dations must DO laid in the affections of the poo
pie in the security il gives to life liberty char
meter, and property, in every quarter of the coun-
try; and in the fraternal attachment which the
citizens of the several States bear to one another
Is members Of one political family, mutually con-
trbuting TO promote the happiness of each other
Hence the citizens Of every State should studi-
ously avoid every thing calculated to wound the
sensibility offend the just pride of the people
of other States and they should frown upon any
proceedings within their own borders likely to
disturb the tranquility of their political brethren
In other portions of the union. In country so
extensive as the Unitod States, and with pursuits
90 vayiod, the internal regulations of the several
States must frequently differ from ono another in
importont particulars and this difference is un-
avodsbly increased by tho varying principles up
on which the Amcric IN colonies were originally
planted; principles upon which the American
colonies wcrs originally planted; principles
which had tax N docp root in their social rela-
tions before the Revolution, and, therefore, of nc
o,ssity influencing their policy since they became
FREQ and independent States. But each State has
the unqucstionable right to regulate lis own in
tern,l concerns according to its own pleasure;
and while II does not interfere with the rights Of
the people of other States, or the rights Of tho
Union, every State must be the sole Judge of the
measures proper 10 secure the safety of it's citi-
sons and promote their happiness; and all efforts
on the part of the people of other States to cast
oiium upon their institutions, and all measures
calculated to disturb their rights Of property, or
to put in jeopardy their peace and internal tran.