The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-04

southern party-northern men with SOUTH
ern principles-has long been obvious
But 10 account for this it is necessary 10
revert back 10 the first organization of the
general government, and indeed to the pref
udices which great portion of the People
of the northern States had imbibed against
these State governments between the close
of the revolutionary war and the adoption Of
the federal constitution. During the revo-
lutionary Wharf.-The People uniledly supported
the State overnments--knowing that. on
the efficiency Of these governments they
must depend for the achievement of their
independence-and they we're cordially
supported in the exercise of all those pow
ers which the exigency of the times requir-
ed, without much regard 10 constitutional
principles. .-
But after the close of the revolution,
when the external pressure ceased, the Peo-
pie, instead of finding their condition impro-
we'd as they had, through the whole of the
revolutionary struggle, confidently expected
it would be. found themselves in far worse
condli than they had ever been while un-
der the British government. The States
were deeply in debt, arc. of course taxes
were high. and great portion Of the peo-
pie having during the war contracted habits
Of idleness and dissipation, were in a dis
tressed condition, and they naturally char
ged this upon the State governments, as they
felt it thro' the administration of justice of
the execution Of the laws, and because they
did not enjoy so large liberty as that which
they had fought for. They openly opposed
the exercise of any Of their Legitimate pow
ers by the State governments. And so ex-
tensive was this disaffection to the govern
ments, that in some of the northern States.
a resistance almost successful was aroused
against the execution Of the laws And let
it be bourne in mind that this jealousy ofthe
State governments, this habi,ual opposition
to the exercise Of any of these legitimate
powers, continued with great portion of
the people of the northern States down to
the lime when the general government was
organized-while we advert to the peculiar
institutions of the South, and the effect of
these institutions on these State govern
ments.
The great and important part TO be noted
is that the people at the south were slavehol-
ders. The people were divided into differ
ent castles, but the shareholders were the on'
ly influential class--;he governments were
wholly in their hands. And as their COM
mon safety required that all subordinate
classes, black aud white ,..should be kept,in
most AFFECT submission, they were naturally
agreed in extending the power of the Stale
governments. They felt no restraint from
them, and they could indure none from any
government. Brought up as they were from
their childhood 20 command. and 10 eXoct
from all around them a silent, uncomplAn-
ing obedience, they could not endure the
least opposition. not even the least demur
ring from any one when ordered 10 perform
an act. But when the general government
was organized, and they came into Con
gress, they met with classes of men very off
ferent from their own, and found that they
were occasionally out done, and for the first
time met with successful opposition. This
thew could not endure, and at once sought
relief by stripping the general government
of all its powers, leaving nothing but ma
ked organization, and leaving nothing but
very restricted powers to support such o.
ganization of government. Hence the
State rights creed-and Virginia abstrnc-
tonism in construction of the Constitution
that would divest the government of all lis
powers ending in the ne plus ultra or rather
ne plus intra. Notification. BY this con-
tinued opposition to the administration Of
the general government in the exercise OF
its legitimate powers. A great portion of
the people of the north. including the Shays
men aud all those who in New England had
been in open opposition TO the State govern
ments, naturally believed and honestly con-
tended that the only genuine republicans
were 10 be found at the South-hence the
origin of the Southern party at the North
northern men with southern principes-whilc
no southern men can be found with morrill,
arn principles ali southern men are pertec
.ly united in support Of all southern interests
real or imaginary. they therefore act with !
put disguise, openly and constantly. Not
20 with the southern party at the north-ihey !
are sometimes placed in awkward situation |
in the extreme. Such IS
heir present situation. Their leaders dare |
not openly advocate the protection of man.
fractures for fear of DOSING the support OF
hese southern allies, and they dare not o.
,enly oppose il for fear OF loosing iheIr in
luence al home. Thence the singular state
If betweenity in which they are placed In
relation to this subjeci-a perfect Melor
nes!in-a little more than half protection
md little more than half free trade. 1t
nav be said though all the foregoing re-
marks are strictly true, yet they ought not
o be made, being calculated TO excite sec
ional prejudices. But surely we ought 10
,now each other in all parts Of the Union.
We at tho north ought to be so far acquain-
ed with the south. as no longer to look on
aveholders as the only genuine republic
.ns-and the people Of the north ought to
We so far acquainted with us as no longer to
ook upon the whole laboring population OF
he north as so many white negroes. And
his ought not and need not excite any BIZ
erness between us.
The people of The north should make
tnhU ChI