Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-07-06

nifty, still in the minds eye, the suDilmlty o.
nature, shall remain the same immutable and
fixed. If we would then preserve this re-
public, practically free and theoretically
great we should not be influenced by names.
This government derived its powers from
its legitimate source. The people who were
TO live under its administration conferred upon
it these. powers. The powers which were
especially conferred upon it, once belongedto
the people, but for specific objects they made
surrender Of them into The hands of their NUM-
cipal authorities; IN order that the remaining
powers and rights, which they had derived
from nature, could be protected and enforced.
The powers which they surrendered up, are
now removed beyond their reach, and must so
remain so long as they profess to yield obedi-
ence to their government. These powers
which are enumerated are absolute in il, and
which must remain so until the people, or a
part of whom, shall declare their indepen-
dence of its constitution and of its laws,passed
IN conformity thereto. This constitution
received, It is true, its existence from the PEG.
pie, but within IFS scope, though they are de
rivative powers, there are many ofthem which
are by it conferred upon the people, through
theNarious departments 70 government. The
power of aspiring to and obtaining the
highest Office known to the world; 1.-THE power
of passing from one state to another, unmo-
Tested and protected; the power of protecting
ourselves and property against superior phys
ical strength are few ofthose powers, which
the people receive from the constitution. II
they were not powers derived from the func.
tons of governmentevery political preferment
would depend upon the strong arm and tn c
chivalrous heart; property and liberty would
be held by the slender tenure of physical cir
cumstances. The mechanic may constru ct a
steam machine and confer upon it certain pow.
ers, which have been wholly derived from the
artist, and according to the notions of some po-
litical dogmatlsts, the artist can receive enc
power from this machine; such fools do not
deserve place in political society, and are
demagogues both in principles and practice
We would not ask for better testimony of a
political candidates, evil intentions, than
to hear him prate about the dear people, the
rights oithe dear people, an honest man Uni.
der such loud protestations of love and regarc
for The peoples rights, Involuntary puts hi.
hand upon his pocket-book But let us try
this principle OF mechanism. The artist vii
apply his steam machine to railroad Car Of
boat, the power of propelling either of which
is largely increased. A man in good healtl
can walk from 4to 4-2 miles per hour, let hin
attach this steammachne to a car or boats
he receives from it the additional power o
travelling three times as fast. Let the ma
chine be applied to corn mill,it gives its mas
ter the power of accumulating corn, by way
of toll, faster than he can in any other wa,
prodoce it, this corn he manufactures into mea
the meal into bread, which supports life ant
produces new vigour. We may erect a pyra
mid such as are found in Egypt, counecte,
with which flight OF steps or stairs, which
conlers upon us the power Of ascending higl
above the surface of the earth.
Such is our constitution; the people rearet
it as a mighty pyramid in the midst of TIN
world of nations, by which the power is con
ferred upon the people Of ascending them all
Tire atmosphere of liberty. 1t Is uloriou
power conferred upon them by their owl
hands, in the adoption Of their government, al
though it extended upon their national con
duct, as guard upon their rights, and as
reservoir of their liberty and honor.
Now what constitutional dogmltist viii say
the people have no powers derived from tn
government. We should like to see him eS
pose his ignorance, in newspaper communi
cation to the world. But we cannot sa,
what will be presented to the world next 70
its amazement in these days of thievin
charity, we should not open our eyes wide uT
on anything though strange and wonderful
We might meet with the same fat
which is kelly TO bcfall old Nick, for openin.
his pockets rather too wide upon this State