Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-01-10


converts by fire and sword, pervert reli-
zion of love into religion Of terrors, and
would seem to worship, God the Avenger
raiherihau God the Father. MAJ
The contest through which we have just
passed, has been characterized by warmth
and bitterness Of feeling, unusual, if not un-
known TO our infant state. All of Us, fell
low citizens, have partaken more or less OF
this excitement. The public press kindled
the flame, and its devastation has reached
every dwelling within our borders. Whilst
apublic officer should not be too caous to
assaults upon his reputation, it is also true,
| that he should not be too sensitive. His
public measures and official acts belong |
Ito the public, and are always before
the.n, and .!lcy will judge him fairly and
correctly. And even when his integrity |
Ihus been ussailed, the vilest aud worst OF
motives attributed to his conduct, lie has
only 10 await the deyelopemeni oftinnc, trust
TO the good sense and justice Of the people,
and they will right the wrong done him.
Although many ofyou, citizens, may
have suffered in feeling by Liberal imputa-
tons upon your private character, yet, rely
upon it, YOU can receive no lasting injury
! from a warfare so unfair. BY your pres
ence here, YOU bear with you the highest
testimony, that your constituents dlstrust
4 your accusers. The majesty and power
Of truth have prevailed, and the libel utter
cd has recoiled on the head of the libeller.
Let us then Danish from our deliberations
the passions that have SO recently been cx-
; cited; let us approach the sacred duty to
which we are called, forgetting the past; let
!, us recollect the ground on which we stand
is holy, aud that this hall should be made
The arena of no political champion.
And if the public press has been abused,
, who would attempt to check it in the cxer-
else Of its freest license? The old world
!, and the advocate Of power may point to
a our country for arroiligate press but the
& very evil denounced prcclaims the liberty
# of the people. What value has individual
e fame, when balanced with public freedoml
!, Far better that the asprant for ambitions
/. highest crown, should sink the victim Of
y faIsehood and detracton, than that the slight
0 est obstacle should stihe the bold and dar.
J., ing voice who would declare his country's
o danger. The freedom of the press is q
G home-brcd right, an ancient and sacred pre-.
i. negative of the people. 1t is a check upon
:. public men, teaching them the great politi
n cal truth from which our institutions derive
IF their force, that government is intended fol
:. the benefit Of the governed, and that author
d ity is but trust, delegated for the public
e good. Let no one, then, either by legal re
&c straint, or through means ofviolence attomp
III e. oC4 Il
"Freedom of discussion unaded by power
2 is sufficient for the protection and pro2aga
IS ton of truth"
e. We meet on this occasion, fellow citizens
~ impressed trust, not only with conviction
IN Of the claims our own state has upon GU
,e services, but also mindful Of the obligation
i. we owe TO the federal Union. Michigan
Il. has her influence in the direction of public
so sentiment. In her present position sh
n, constitutes fair and striking portion of III
proud aud mighty republic we inhabit.-
w We are all American citizens. We hav
gn but one country. Every section Of tn
n. Union should be the same TO us. The gle
mt rious achievements of Massachusetts belon
wv TO South Carolina and Georgia, and the dal
/ | ing chivalry Of Carolina and Georgia shoul
he be the just boast of New England. On
cd government and our institutions were tn
to offspring Of their common sufferings an
he common trlumphs. Let us then cheris
IT'S the union of the states let us discountt
is nance and reject every appeal to local PR
he udices let us avoid the unnecessary az
ire tation of every question, calculated TO ARA
a. one portion of our country against anothe
,ht An ardent attachment to the Union, b.
ed lieve to be interviewer with every gene
ust Gus impulse of the people of Michigan
I'm their patriotism cannot be limited by Il
The confines and boundaries of single stat
on but, is as it should be, co-extensive with Il
IS republic itself. They, trust. will volunt
The rily sanction no measure calculated to wea
ON On the sacred ties which bind us togeth
Bile as nation. Then why do we hear ang
ate discussions between bretheren of the san
tho great political family Why do we perm
ors the vafue OF the Union 10 be questioned
the Why do we listen TO contracted and self
md calculations of the balance of power b
me tween the north and the SOUTH Do Anne
ne. lean citizens already begin 10 distrust al
lief fear each other? If so, it forbodes lii
ISL good 10 our Union; it tells lightly for I
ort patriotism of the present day. Did the
ldy Tiers of the republic yield TO such narro
ich views No they acted for their who
the country; they thought and felt for Anne
de- ca; they fought for American liberty. Al
re- shall it be said that their struggles have be-
ex- in vain that their example has been Il
sh- on US; that we are forgetful of the inval
ub- able legacy committed to our care; al
on that our Union, the last hope ofthe oppres
To ed Of every nation, shall be lost through o
Ief- own dcgeneracy and follyl no, iellc
the citizens cling to Michigan, but live al
], l uUt for your country vovn urtIorr ron
dg- TRY.
nall With these sentiments, and with an et
a. nest application to the Supreme Ruler
the nations, that He will spread His protecti
Mt; over our Union, protect our institution
re- prosper our labors, and guide orr counci
cd proceed 10 that solemn qualification pl
on scribed for me by the Constitution.
red Detroit, January 2, 1888.
mt, PROCLAMATION BY w. L. M'KENzI
ex- We have had put into our hands the {
test lowing proclamation. 1t is strong ten
on | . \. 4. 70 Ia o,.a ,,,