Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-03-26


such governments, in their decline, is to Monarchy
and the antagonist principle to liberty, there is the
spirit of faction-a spirit which assumes the charac-
ter and in times of great excitement imposes itself
upon the people as the genuine spirit OF freedom, and,
like the false Chr;sts, whose coming was forctad by
the Savior seeks and it possible would impose
upon the and most faithful disciples Of Sherry
Ii is in periods like this that it behooves the pepcto
be most watchful ofhose to whom they have cntrus-
ted power. And although there is at times much
difficulty in distinguishing the false from the true
spirit calm and dispassonate investigation will de-
tect the counterfeit as well by the character of its
operations as the results that are produced. The
true spirit of liberty, although devoted perseverlng
bold and uncompromising in prnciple-that secu-
reds mild and tolerant, and scrupuous as to the
means it employs; WILTSHIRE spirit otpnry assuming
to be that of liberty, is harsh vindicve and ntoler
ant and totally reckless to the character OF the al
lies which it brings to the aid of lis cause. When
the genuine spirit of liberty animates the Body of
people to thorough examination of thei affairs, i,
leads TO the excelsior Of every excreseace which may
have fastened itself upon any of the departments of
the government and restores the system to its prs
tine health aid beauty. But the reign Of an intoler
ant spirit of party, amongst free people, seldomtas
to result in a dangerous accession to the Executive
powcr--introduccd and established amidst unusual
professions of devotion to Democracy
The foregoing remarks relate, almost exclusively,
to matters connected with our domestic concerns
1t may be proper, however, that should give somc
indications to my feow-citzens OF my proposed
course of conduct III the management of our foreign
relations assure them, therefore, that it is my in
tenton to use every means in my power to preserve
the friendly intercourse which now so happily sub
siss with every foreign nation. And that although,
ofcourse not well informed to the state depending
negotiations with any of them, see, in the person
al characters of the sovereigns, well as In the mu-
tua interests of our own, and of the Governments
with which our relations are most intimate, plea
sing guaranty that the harmony SO important to the
interests of their subjects, well as OF our citizens
will not be interrupted by the advancement of any
claim pretensions on their part to which our hon
or would not permit to yield. Long the defender
of my countrys rights in the field, trust tnat my
fellow citizens will not see in my earnest desire to
preserve peace with foreign powers, indication
that their rights will be sacrificed, the honor
of the nation furnished by any admission the part
of their Chief Magistrate unwort of their former
glory In our intercourse with our aboriginal neigh
bors the same liberality and Justice which marked
the course prescribed to me by two Of my illusrious
predecessors, when acting under their direction in
the discharge of the duties of Superintendent and
Commissioner, shall be strictly observed can con-
ceive of no more sublime spectaclc-none more like
ly to propitiate an impartial and common creator
than rigid adherence to the principles justice,
the part ola powerful nation in its transactions with
a weaker and uncivilized people, whom ciicumstan-
ces have placed at its disposal.
Before concluding, fellow-citIzens, must say
something to you the subject of the parties at this
time existing in country. To me it appears
perfectly clear that, the interest of tina, country re-
qures that the violence of the spirit by which those
parties are at this time governed, must be greatly
mtigated if not entirely extingushed, or consequent
will ensue which are appalling to be thought Of
If parties in Republic are necessary to secure
degree of vigilance sufficient to keep the public unc-
tionaes within the bounds of law and duty, at that
point their usefulness ends: beyond that, they be-
destructive of public virtue the parent of spr
it antagonist that of liberty, and eventually Its in
evitabe conqueror. We have examples of Repub-
lies, where the love of country and OF liberty at one
time, were the domlnat passions OF the whole mass
of citizens, and yet, with the continuance OF the name
and forms of free government, not vestge OF these
qualities remain ng in the bosoms OF any one It's citi-
Zens 1t was the beautiful remark OF distinguish
ed English writer, that in the Roman Senate, Oc-
tavius had party, and Anthony party, but the
Commonwealth had none." Yet the Senate con-
tinued to meet in the Temple of Liberty, to talk of
| the sacredness and beauty of the Commonwealth,
and gaZc at the statues OF the elder Bfuus and of the
Curtin and Decii; and the people assembled in the
FORUM not as in the days OF Camlllus and Scipo, to
their free votes for annual mag strates, pass
upon acts ohe senate, but to receive from the hands
OF the leaders of the respective pares their share of
the SPOIL and to shout for the other, as those
collected in Gaul or Egypt andthe lesser Asia would
furnish the larger dividend. The spirit liberty had
fled, and avoiding the abodes Of civilized man, had
sought protection in the wilds Of Scytha and Scan
dnavia And so, under the operation of the same
.,,A, a,
forums. A calamity awful, not only TO our own
country, but to the whole world, must be deprecated
by every patriot, and every tendency to state of
| things likely to produce it, Immediately checked
Such tendency has existed--docs exist. Always
the trend OF my countrymen, never their attcrer
becomes my duty to say to them, from this high place
to which their partialty has exalted me- that there
exists in the land spirit hostile to their best inter-
ess-hoste to liberty itself 1t is spirit contracted
in It's vlews--setish III It's objects. ltlooks to the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of few, even to the destruction of
TIE interest OF the whole The entire remedy is with
the people. Something, however, may be effected
by the means which they have placed in my hands.
1t is union that want, not Of party fof the sake
of that party, but union Of the whole country for
the sake OF tho whole country. For the defence of
Its interests and It's honor against foreign aggression
tor the defence of those principles for which
cestors so goriousy contended. AS far as it de-
ponds upon me, it shall be accomplished. All the
influence that shall possess shall! be exerted pre-
vent the formation of an executive party in the halls
the legislative body. | wish for the support of no
members of that body to any measure of mine that
does not satisfy his judgment and his of duty
to those from whom he holds his appointment. Nor
any confidence in advance from the people, but that
asked for by Mr.. Jefferson. to give lrnncss and eff
feet to the legal administration of their affairs"
deem the present occasion sufficiently important
ndsoemn to- justify me in expressing to you my fell
owczens profound reverence for the christian re-