Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-03-11

Erm ~ which II 10 rendered Is ictt 10 MS
own discretion AM sense ofpropricty.
1t may be observed, however, that or
ganiz cd associations of citizens, requiring
compliance with their wishes, too much
resemble the recommendations of Athens
to her allies--suppnrled by oE armed
md powerful fleet. II was indeed, tu
he ambition OF the leading states of
Greece To control the domestic concerns
of the others, that the destl uciion of thai
celebrated confcderacy, and subsequently
If all its members, is mainly TO be attri
butcd. And it H. owing TO the absence
,l that spirit that the Hclvetic conicdera.
cy h I'd been for so many years preserved.
Never had there been seen in the nsriu.
ton. Of the separate members olany con.
icdcracy more elements Of discord. Iu
the principles anJ forms of government
aud religion, as well as in the circum
stances of tho several cantons,so marked
4 dscrepancc was observable as to pro.
misc any thing but harmony in their IL.
tercouis sc or pcrmaneEcy IN their alliance.
\ And vet, for ages neither has been inter.
ruplcd. Content with the positive bcno.
lits which their union produced, with the
independence and safety from foreign az
gresSion which it secured,these sag c:ous
people respected the institutions OF each
oher, however rerugnant 10 their owl
prime pies and prejudices.
Our coniederacy, fellow citizens. can
only be preserved by the same forbear-
anco. Our citizens must be con,en,
with the exercise Of the powers with
which the constitution clothes them. -
The attempt ofthose of one state to con.
troll tho domestic institutions of another
can only result in feelings of distrust and
jealousy. The certain harbingers of dis.
union, violence, civil war, and the mIti.
mate destruction Of our free institutions.
Our conloderacy is perfectly illustrated
by the terms and principles governing Il
common co.partnership. There fund
ofpowcr is to be exercised under the III
rcclion ofthe joint councils Of the allied
members, but that which has been re-
served 10 the individual members is in
;angible by the common government, or
the individual members composing it,
10 attempt it finds no support in the
principles of our constitution. Ii should
be our constant and earnest endcavor mu
tnally to cultivate a spirit Of concord and
harmony among the various paris Of our
confedcracy. ExpcrieL ce has abundanlly
taught US that the agitation, by citizens Of
one part Of the Union, of a subject moi
conidcl to the Genera! Government, but
Exclusively under the guardianship of the
local authorities, is productive Ofno other
consequences ,han bitterness, Il enation.
disc ord, and injury To the very cause
which is intended to be advanced. OfaII
the great interests winch apperain to our
country, that Of union, cordial, conGding,
tratcrnal union, is by far the most i'm.
porlan,, since It is the only true aud sure
guaranty OF all others.
In consequence Of the embarrassed
stale of business and the currency, some
IF the States may meet with difficulty iu
their financial concerns. However deeply
we may regret any thing imprudcnt or
excessive in the engagements into which
States have entered for purposes of then
owu, it does TO; become us to disparagc
the State Governments,nor to discourage
them from making proper efforts for their
own relief on the contrary, 1t is our duty
to encourage them, TO the extent of our
constitut onal authority,to apply their best
means, aud checriully to make all neccs-
s,ry 'at ificcs,aDd submit to all neccss ,r,
burdens, to fulfil ,loir engagements anG
maintain their credit for the character
and crodit OF the several States form part
Of tho character and credit of The whole
country. The resources of the country
arc abundant, the enterprise and activity
of our people proverbial and we may
we'll hope that wise legislation aud pru
dent Misunderstanding, by the rcspc clivc
Governments, each acting within It's own
sphere, will restore former prosperity.
Unpleasant and even dangerous as col.
lisions may sometimes be, between the
constituted authorities or the citizens OF
our counlry,m relation to the lines which
separate their respective Jurisdictions, the
results can be of 10 vital injury to cur
institutions, ifthat ardent patriotism, that
devoted attachment to liberty, that spiri,
Of moderation and lorbearancG for which
our counlrymcn were once distinguished,
continue TO be cherished. II this con-
t'nucs to be the ruling passion Of our
souls, the weaker feelings of the mistaken
clthasast will be corrected, the Utopian
dreams Of the schcnina politician dissi.
pated, and the complicated inlrigucs OF
the demagoeue rendered harmless. The
spirit of liberty is the sovereign balm fnl
every Injury which our institutions may
receive.
VI the contrary, no care that can be
used IN the construction Of our Govern
mcni, no division of powers, no dlstIibu.
ton OF checks in it's several department.,
viii prove eflcctual 10 keep US IA free
People, If this spirit is suffered to decay I;
and decay it will without constant
nurture. To the neglect Of This duty. the
best historians agree in attribuiing the
RUN of all the Republics with whose cx
'stencc and fall their writing have made
MS acquainted. Tho same causes will
ever pro!uce the same effects and as
long as the love of power is a douinan,
passion OF the human b)som, and as long