Lincoln telegraph., 1841-03-11


and principles governing a common copartnership
There fund of power is to be exercised under
the direction of the joint councils of the allied
members, but that which has been reserved by the
individual members is intangible by the common
government or the individual members compos-
ing it. To attempt it finds no support in the
principles of our Constitution. 1t should be our
constant and earnest endeayor mutually TO culti-
yatc spirit of concord aud harmony amonr the
various pprts of our Conlederacy. Experience
has abundantly taught that the agitation by
citizens of one part of the Union of a subject not
conhded to the General Government. but exclu-
sively under the guardianship of the local author-
ties, is productive of no other consequences than
bitterness, allrnaion discord, and injury to the
very cause which is intended to be advanced.
OF all the great interests which appertnin to our
country, that OF union, cordial, coniding, frater
nal un'on, is by Tar the most important, since IT
is the only true and sure guaranty of all others.
In consequence of the embarrassed state Of
business and the currency some of the States
may meet with difficulty IN their financial CON
Germs. However deeply we may regret any thing
mpradent or fycess.ye in the engagements INTO
whch Stairs have entered for purposes Ct taeir
own, 1t does not become Us 10 dsParagc the State
Governments, nor 70 discourage them lfoil max
ing proper cf}rls for their own relct; on the
contrary, It IS our daty to encourage them, to the
cX'cn, OF our constitutional authority, TO apply
their best means, and chePfutly to make all
naces lry sacrifices and submit t. all necessary
burdens t. lu!al their engagements and maintain
their cred'.; l1r the character and credit OF the
several States from part oi the character and
credit Of the whole country. The resources Of
the country ure abundant, the enterprise and ac-
tv'ty ot our people prcverbla; and we may well
hope that wise legislation aad prudent ad-nnistrl-
tian, by the respective Governments, each acting
within lis own sphere, viii restore torner pros
perity.
Unpleasant and even dangerous as collisions
may sometimes be, between the constituted au-
th1rtes or the citizens Of cur country, IN relation
TO the lines which separate their respective uris-
dictions the results be Of no vital injury to
our institutions, if that ardent patriotism, that
devoted attachment to liberty, that spirit of mod
Grafton and torbenrancc for which our country ymen
distinguished, continue to be cherish
ed. If this continues to be the ruling passion Of
our souls, the weaker tet lmgs of the mistaken
enthusiast will be corrected. the Etopan dreams
Of the schcining politician dlsspated, and the
complicated intrgues Of the demagogue rendered
harmless. The spirit of liberty is the sovereign
balm for every injury which our institutions may
receive. On The contrary, care that can be
used iu the construction Of our Government; NJ
division Of powers. no distribution of checks in
its several departments, VIII prove effectual to
keep free People, if tins spirit IS suffered to
decay; and decay il Will without constant nurture.
10 The neglect of ths duty, the best historians
agree in attrbuting the rum Of all the Republics
with whose existence and fail their writings have
made us acquainted. The same causes wtl ever
produce the same effects and long the love
Of power i; dominant passion Of the human
bosom, and as long the understandings of men
can be warped and Their affections changed by
operations upon their passions and Prcjudiccs, so
long Will the liberty OF people depend on their
own constant attention to It's preservation. The
langer to all welI-established free governments
arises from the unwillngness OF the People to
believe in its existence, or from the influence of
designing mca, dvcrtnr their attention ,r3i The
quarter Wl'nce It approaches, 10 source from
whicl it can never come. Tins is an old trick OF
those VINO would usurp TIT" government OF their
country. In the name of Democracy thcy speak,
warning the People against the influence OF wealth
and the danger of aristocracy. History, ancient
and modern, Is full Of sucn examples. Cesar
became the master of the Roman people ana the
senate under the pretence OF supporting the
democratic claims OF the former against the
aristocracy of the latter; Cromwell, IN the char
actef Of protector OF the lib rites Of the People,
became the dictator of England and Bolivar
possessed himself OF unlimited power, with the
t.te of his country LberaLor There is, on the
contrary, no single instance Oh record OF an eX-
tensve and wcl-establish-d republic being chang
ed INTO an arlstccracy. The tendencies of AL
snch Governments IN their decline Is to monarchy;
ana the antagonist prInc. pie 10 liberty there is
spirit Of taCLIon--a spir,t when assumes the
character, and. IN times OF great excitement, M
poses Itself upon the People the genuine sp rIt
Of freedom and IKE the iIlse Chrlsts whose
ing was torctoid by lhe SAVIOUR, seeks to, AMI
were it possible would impose upon the true and
most faithful disciples of Liberty.
IL is in perr,ds ike ihis that It behooves the
People TO be most Wdtchtul Of those to wholn thcy
haze ntrus:cd power. And a!thpagh there IS at
times much dliacuity IA dStiny uisnng tuc ia!Jc
from the true sp.r,-, calm ana d.scas5foll-e IN
NCstglton va" uatact the cylAtcfit.t H. WeH BY
the Character .. It's Uper~~uus d5 tlt lc5U-j tlAo
are Produced IIe lluo splr.t liberty, al ,nouyn
devoted, p.t5cVerng, bold, and unc1uIProEIsAlg
il prime ,plP, t.IG5 secured, IS mud ana tJerant
ana sCrupu5us as to tie means II enpiojs; whist
tae spi.t OF party, assuming TO be tndt Liberty, is
harsh, ynd.ct4ye, and ntOeraat, and ts..hy
reckless Us to tine character o4 the ai!es whIcl
brings to tue ald oi It's cause. Nnrn the gen9.nc
spnlt oi liberty aniulates th, body of people u
d thorough examination OF theT diars, 4. leads
10 the tXclsion of every cXcftscenCe which may
have fastened Itself upon any oi the Departments
OF the Government, and restores the system to
It's pristine health and beauty. but the reign OF
an Intolerant spirit o, party amongst free pco-
pie, seldom fails to result IN dangerous accession
TO the Executive power Introduced tn eSsl1!!sl-
ed amidst unusual professions ol devotion To
democracy.
The foregoing remarks relate almost exclusive
to matters connected with our domestic concerns
1t may be proper, however, that 1 should give
some indications TO my fellow citizens oi my pro-
posed cour5e OF conduct IN the management OF
our foreign relations | assure them, therefore,
that 1t is my intention to use every means IN my
power to preserve the friendly intercourse which
now so happily subsists with every foreign nat,onj