Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-03-09

ing:
The capacity of the people for self govern.
ment, and their willingness, from high
sense Of duty, and without those exhibition:
oil coercive power SO generally employed ia
other countries, TO submit 10 all neediul re-
straints and exaciions of the municipal law
have also been favorably exempiifiet in the
history Of the A merican States. Occasion.
ally, IL is true, the ardor of public sentiment,
outrunning the regular progress Of the judi
cial tribunals, or seeking to reach cases no,
denounced as criminal by the existing law
has displayed itself in manner calculated to
give pain TO the friends of free government,
and to encourage the hopes of thuse who wish
tor its overthrow. These occurrences, how
ever, have been far less frequent in our
country than in any other of equal popuia-
ton on the globe (; and with the diffusion of
intelligence, it may well be hoped that they
will constantly diminish in frequency and
violence. The generous patriotism and
sound common sense OF the great mass Of our
fellow citizens, will assuredly, in time, pro-
duce this result for as every assumption of
Illegal power not only wounds the majesty of
the law, but furnishes pretexi for abridgin
The Liberties OF the people, the latter have the
most direct and permanent interest IN pre-
serving the great landmarks of social order,
and maintaining, on all occasions, the invIo-
liability OF those CONSTITUTE onal and legal pro,
visions which they themselves have made.
In supposed unfitness of our institutions
for those hostile en- ergencies, which no coun-
try can always avoid, their friends found
fruitful source OF apprehension, their enc
mics Of hope. While they ioresaw less
prompfness of action than in Governments
differently formed, they overlooked the far
more important consideration, that with us
war could never be the result ofindiv idual or
irresponsible will, but must be a measure of
redress for injuries sustained, Voluntarily
resoried to by those who were 10 bear the
necessary sacrifice, who would consequently
feel an individual interest in the contest, and
whose energy would be commensurate with
the difficulties To he encountered Actual
events have proved their error the last war,
lar from Impairing, gave new confidence To
our Government and amid recent appre-
tensions OF a similar conflict, we saw that
the energies OF our country would not be
wanting in ample season to vindicate its
rights. We may no, possess, as we should
not desire to possess, the extended and ever
ready military organization Of other nations;
we may occasionally suffer in the outset for
the want of il but, among ourselves, all
doubt upon this great point has ceased, while
saiutary experience will prevent contra
ry opinion from inviting aggression from a.
broad.
Certain danger was foretold from the ex>
tension OF our Territory, the multiplication of
States, and the increase of population Our
system was supposed to be adapted only 10
boundaries comparatively narrow These
have heen widened beyond conjecture the
members of our confederacy are already
doubled and the numbers of our people are
incredibly augmented The alleged causes
OF danger have long surpassed anticipation,
but none OF the consequences have followed
The power andinfluence ofthe republic have
risen to height obvious TO all mankind
respect for lis authority was no. more appa-
rent at its apcient, than ii is at IFS present
limits /; new and inexhaustibe sources of
general prosperity nave been opened the
effects oil distance have been averted by the
Inventive genius of our people, developed &
foslered by the spirit of our institutions; and
the enlarged variety and amount of interests,
productions, and pursuits, have strengthen
ed the chain of mutual dependence, and ior-
med a circle Of mutual benefits, tooapparent
ever II he overlooked.
In justly balancing the powers Of the Fee
deral and State authorities, difficulties near.
ly insurmountable arose at the outset, and
e.
Amid these, il was scarcely believed possible
that scheme of government, SO complex in
construction, could remain uninjured. From
time TO time embarrassments have certainly
occurred but how just is the confidence OF
future safety impaired by the knowledge
that each in succession has heen happily re-
moved. Overlooking partial and temporary
evils as insepara5le from the practical oper-
alton OF all human institutions, and look ing
only To the general result, every patriot has
reason to he satisfied. While the Federal
Government has successfully performed its
appropriate functions in relation to foreign
affairs, and concerns evidently national
that of every State has remarkably improved
in protecting & developing local interests and
individual welfare aud il the vibrations of
authority have occasionally tended too much
towards one or the other, il is unquestiona-
bly, certain that the Ultimate operation of the
entire system has been TO strengthen all the
existing institutions, and to elevate our whole
country in prosperity and renown.
The last, perhaps the greatest, of the pro-
minent sources of discord and disaster sup
posed 10 Turk in our political condition, was
the institution Of domestic slavery. Our
forefathers were deeply impressed with the
delicacy of this subject, and they treated it
with forbearance so evidently wise, that,
in spite Of every sinister foreboding, il never,
until the present period, disturbed the tran
quillity of our common country. Such
result is sufficient evidence Of the justice and
the patriotism of their course; ii is evidence
not 10 be mistaken, that an adherence TO il
can prevent all embarrassment! from this, as
well as from every other anticipated cause of
difficulty or danger. Have not recent events
"a Il. IL IL. 4