Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-07-24

son, and the patriotism OF them all, conspred
to produce the noblcst defence Of the rights Of
man, the declaration of Independence. We
hold these truths to be sclf-evident: that all
men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable rights;
that among these are life liberty, and the pur.
suit Of happiness That to secure those rights,
governments are Instituted among men, deriy-
ing their inst power from the consent OF the
governed" Here is The sentiment, which has
been more briefly, but not more clearly, express
scd, in the maxim VIC are considering. This,
too, was the foundation on which the state 60
vcrnments were built; this the rock, on which
was IA scd by the illustrous Washington, and
Madison, and jag, and Hamilton, and cotem-
porary men, that noble monument Of the pro-
toundest political wisdom and tho most saga
cious craftsmanship, the Constitution OF the
United States. In the language of that docu-
ment: eve the people of the United States,
in order to form a more perfect union, establish
Justice, ensure domestic tranquility, proyidc
for the common defence, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and es-
tablish this Constitution of the United States
Of America"
In accordance with the spirit and intent Of
this great maxim, declared in the declaration
U
crnl State constitutions contain, and the whole
frame OF government state and national, is b0-
scd upon the provision, that every department,
legislative, judicial and executive, must direct
y or indirectly, spring from and be responsible
TO the people. This constitutes the great "CX.
pertinent" Of modern times in government
upon the success or failure Of which, the civ
izcd world has based lis hopes of liberty.
Sixty-onc years have rolled away-the OK
pertinent has not yet failed. Ingenious theo-
rists have ridcued the attempt of great body
Of people to gorern tbemselues-hut the eXpe-
rlence cf sixty years has proved that virtue aud
intelligence are redecming qualities Tor tho
lrailties of poor human nature, lll-omcncd
prophets and iar-seeing statesmen have prcdc-
ted that the clash Of conflicting interests and
sectional differences, almost necessarily flIw-
ing from a population spread over a wide ex-
tent of Territory, would burst the bubble and
scatter the fragments TO the winds of Heaven
but the history of the past has taught us,
that patriotism and Jorbearance and spirit Of
concession, can overcome the strongest assaults
of setEintereSt. In our own land, the best, the
purest, the irmest of the Sons of Liberty"
have warned us against the reckless spirit Of
party and the insldious wiles OF unchastencd
ambition-but we are yet .free--hGppy and in
dependent.
We camo out Of the war OF the revolution
poor, IN what constitutes the strength < wealth
OF nations; with sparse population and with
a heavy debt-wihout commerce, and almost
without a government. Indccd the whole
work of building mighty empire was on our
hands; the cornerstone was laid by the Con-
eress OF rs and cemented in the blood of the
revolution: the completion Of The task was
committed 10 the people of this Union. This
In Iny nd nriI Az lnol.
upon the work of their hands, in an empire
spreading over thousands Of miles with a
population doubled more than five tmes-a ila-
ry which has VIGOROUSLY combated with the
" mistress of The seas "--aud a commerce eX-
tending TO all nations, which, under the foster
ing hand of popular government, has already
numbered the Union, in its existence compare
lively of a day, among the mightlest nations Of
the earth. We can look upon our glorious
National Flag; its stars are doubled, and the
victorious eagle and the stripes are respected
in every sea and upon every shore. We may
behold our National Government under the
guidance olthe representatives Of the popular
will, and aiming at the greatest good of the
greatest number--it has redeemed us from
commercial thraldom to foreign ands--render-
ed us anew and doubly independent OF foreign
manufacturers--broken the wand which exact
ed of us tribute TO foreign genius and industry
land placed us upon a firm and immoveabe
basis Tor our eXstCncG--on our OlCn resources,
developed by the genius, the enterprise and
the industry Of American citizens. II has car
ried us safely through second war with Great
Brilian--rewardcd the noble patriots who per-
lied all for liberly--redeemed the nation from
an immense public debt, and yet its treasury
has overlooked aud millions are returning to
the people!
The great national misfortune under which
the people are now sufitrng--its business, for
oign and domestic, dernnged, confidence I'M
paired, and suspicion and alarm spread and
felt with more or less intensity through the
whole extent of the Union--can, perhaps,
hardly be said TO form an exception 10 this fiat
lering picture of national prosperity. w hlo
the throes which CONFUSE tho nation, and tho
excitement and anxiety which pervade almost
every class, most truly tell us of an extraordl-
nary msiortune--lhe misfortune itself, howev-
or great, and The suftrines, however intense,
are but new and palpabIe evidences OF The bles-
sings OF free government, yet more clearly 10
be proved and felt in restoring the nation once
more to confidence and prosperity BY the eS-
tent of the injury the nation now suffers, may
be measered and valued the eood which has,
until now, been enjoyed. From whatever
sources the present calamity has howej, from
the people themselves or from their Servants
or with whomsouvGT rests the fearful response
bi,y for producing 1.-THE unanimous tcsimo-
ny Of all men must be, that it has not sprung
from due observance of that maxim, which
makes government good or bad, as il furlhers
or retards the interests Of the people. With
perfect confidence, then, let us hope, that as
the fleeing cloud but for IA moment shuts out
The light and warmth OF The summers sun, this
calamity will speedily pass away, and That the
fostering hand of government, by prudcnl and
wise counsels, guided and supported by an en-
Iiehteued and healthy state OF public opinion,
Will stay the course OF ruin, and carry US on TO
still higher prosperity and haPpioy era. Let