Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-01-04
LAW THE BASIS OF FREEDOM.

Ex-Governor VANCE, in his inaugural address
to the Legislature of Ohio, on the 18th ult, gave
some very correct views in regard to love of Or
der and obedience to law, and handsome CON-
plimcnt TO the judiciary of his state, as follow
One prominent characteristic Of our peo-
pic, is their love of order and obedience to
law; and yet, by the thoughtless and in.
temperate conduct of few restless indi-
viduals, the reposc of portion of the citi.
zens of our state, has been seriously inter-
rupted. We, to be sure, have not had that
fearful violence and disregard of law stalk.
ing over our state, uproo.ing the very foun.
dations of civil government, and setting at
defiance all order and restraint, that have
been the fate of son Of our sister states
but enough has been done to show our citi.
zens that it is alone in the supremacy Of our
laws, that they can rest securely in their
persons and property.
Let us see, gentlemen, what has been
said upon this subject by one Of the most
enlightened statesmen and profound iuris,s
Of the present age: {" 1t is trite observa.
ton, but not on that account less correct,
that the greatest of blessings become the
worst of curses, when perverted and abused.
Without freedom, man is poor, miserable,
AFFECT thing; the sport and victim of his
fellow mans rage, caprice and cruelty, hav.
ing neither vigor of thought, motive for ex-
ertion, nor rational hope TO crafty. But
there can be no freedom without law. Tn.
restrained liberty is anarchy; domination
in the strong, slavery in the weak outrage
and plumber combined in the oppressors;
helpless misery in the oppressed; insecu-
rity, distrust and fear TO ali,-law is the
guardian Of freedom. The law throws its
broad shield over the rights and interests of
the humblcst, the proudest, the poorest and
the wealthiest in the land. 1t fences round
what every individual has already gained;
and it insures TO him, whatever his industry
may acquire. Ii saves the merchant against
numerous hazards; provides security Cor
the wages Of the mechanic and laborer, and
enables the husbandman 10 reap his harvest
witoout fear of plumber. The sanctity OF
the marriage tic, the purity of virgin mod
esty, the leisure of the student, the repose
of the aged, the enterprise of the active,
the support Of indulgence, and the decencies
of divine worship, are all under its guardian
care. 1t makes every mans house his cas-
H., and keeps watch and ward over his life,
his name, his family and his property. II
travels with him by land and by sea, and ar.
rays in defence ofhim and his, the phys
ical strength of the entire state"
How plainly does this eminent man show
that the very foundations of our social CON-
pact, are so based upon our obedience to
the constitution and law. And here per.
nit me to say, that that man, be his char.
acter and situation in life what Il may, thar
gives aid and countenance to popular ex-
elements, for the purpose of putting down
any grievance, pretended or real, is doing
more to sap the foundation Of our prospe-
rity, shake the confidence of our people ia
our institutions, than can the preaching Of
all the misguided philanthropists with all
thecomb;ned aid and influence ofihepressaf
their command throughoutthe Unte1 Sa os'
If our laws want efficiency, the corrective
is in your hands, if our judiciary want
power, it rests with you to strengthen Its
arm; but save, intreat you, save this PEG.
ple from that violence, anarchy and confu.
sion. which, if not arrested must end (or
all history is falsifed,) in sinking this gov
eminent into cruel and heartless despot-
ism.
Gentlemen, the character Of the state
stands too high, as member of the confed-
eracy, not to call forth your whole energies
TO give peace and security to IFS citizens
permanency to its credit; and stability 10
its institutions. With states, as with indi.
viduals, one false step may in1ict wound