The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-02
TIE STATE GOVERNMENTS.
ny MISS MiRTINEAU.

The state governments are the conservative power,
establishing the will of the orty to act with freedom
and convenience. Though the nation is but an aggre
CATION Of individuals, regards the general govern
ment, their division into States for the management OF
their domestic affairs precludes vast amount Of con-
fusion and dscord. Their mutual vigilance is also
great advantage to their interests, both within each
State and abroad No tyrant, or yrannical party,
remain unmatched and unchecked There is, in each
State, people ready for information and complaint
when necessary legislature ready for dellberation;
and an executive ready to act Many States, in other
ages and regions have been lost through the necessity
of creating their instruments when they should have
been acting. State organization is never managed with
out dispute; and makes the entire difference in the
Of resistance aggression whether the
say apparatus has TO be created IN haste and conuso
whether every thing in readiness for executing the
will OF the majority.
Under no other arrangement, perhaps, could the adj
vantage be secured of every being, in his turn
servant of the commonwealth. If the general govern
ment managed every thing, the public service would
soon become the privilege OF certain class or mum
Der of classes OF men; is seen to be the else
where The relation aud graduation of service which
are now remarkable feature in the United States
commonwealth, could then happen naturally, as
they now do. Almost every in his toxin
ship in New England, and IN the corresponding ward or
section elsewhere and has his capabilly tried and,
worthy he his county, his State, aud finally the
Union, in Congress. Such is the theory and If not
followed up well in practice, If some OF the best men
never get beyond serving Their township, and some Of
the worst and then get into Congress, the people
unqucstionaby better served than the selection OF
servants depended on accident. the favor OF in
power Whatever extraneous impcdlmcnts may inter-
ere with the true working of the theory every citizen
feels or ought to feel, what gorloss career may lie
before hun. In his country every road to- success Is
open to all There are no artificial disquaiiications
which may not be surmounted. All hambas, whether
Of fashion and show, of sanctimoniousness, of lccn
tousness, of any thing else, is there destined to
speedy failure and retrbuton. There is no hereditary
humbug in the United States II the honest wise man.
feels hnsef depressed below the knaye, he has, if he
did but know it, only to wait patiently little while, and
he will have his due. Though truth is equally great
every where, and equally sure ultimately to prevail men
OF other countries have often TO wait till they reach the
better country than ALL before they tins ultimate
prevalence, except with the eye Of faith The young
nation the Atlantic is lndulgcd for the encourage
mont, with speeder rctrlbutlon for her well i'll do
mgs and almost every of her citizens, If he be
truly honorable may trust TO be fifty honord before he
dies.
" Another nseryative effect OF the state govern
ments is the facilities they afford for the correction Of
solccisms the renovation Of institutions they
grown and the amendment OF all unsuitable arrange
ments II any thing be rectfed in any State
It can be done on the will of the people concerned
There is no implorng of uninteresed government
distance government occupied with its foreign
relations as to have little attention spare for domestic
grievances which IT does not feel There is no waiting
any body's pleasure nobody's leave to ask The rr.
meiy close hand those who are To give il are so
nearly concerned, that it may always, and Tor the most
part, speedily, be obtained, upon good cause being
shown. No external observance is needed, except Of
the few aud express prohibitions which the general and
state governments have nterchanged,'