Hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1843-1845, 1844-02-29

" iitHltt
Is only by the constitution of the Unite
/ States; and we have general govern
: ment. TO which are confded high trust.
: 10 be exercised for the benefit of IN
y people OF all the States. 1t is obviou
: that this division of powers, itself III
result OF novel and most delicate pc
: iltlcal operation, can be preserved on!
: by the exercise of wisdom and pur
PATRIOTISM. The constitution of tn
United States stands on the basis of tb
peoples choice. II must remain OF
that basis. so long as it remains at all
> The veneration and love, which art
entertained for it, will be increased, b,
every instance of wise, prudent, i'm
partial and parental administration. Or
the other hand, they will be diminished
by every administration. which shall
cherish local divisions, devote itself to
local interests, seek 10 bend the influ.
ence of The government to personal or
parllzan purposes, or which shall for
get that all patriotism is false and spu-
rious, which does not look with equal
i eye to the interests of the whole coun-
Try, and all It's parts, present and to
come. | hardly know what an Ameri-
can statesman should so much depre-
cate, on his own account, as we'll as on
account OF his country, as that the con-
sti'u'lon Of the United States, now the
glory OF our country and the admira.
ton OF the world, should become weak
ened in its founda,ioIs, perverted in its
principles, or fallen and sunk, in ma
tons regard and in a nations hopes.
by his own follies, errors or mistakes.
The constitution was made for the
good OF the country; this the people
know. Its faithful administration pro.
notes that good, this the people know.
The people themselves defend il against
all foreign power, and all open force;
and they will rightfully hold to ins,
and solemn account. those, to whose
hands they commit it, and in whose
hands it shall be found to be shorn of
single beam of its honor or deprived
OF particle of its capacity for useful
ness. 1t was made for an honest PEG.
PIE ana they expect 1t 10 be honestly
administered. At the present moment,
it is an object of general respect, conf
dence and affection. Questions have
arisen, however, and are likely to arise
again, upon the extent of its powers,
or upon the line which separates the
functions of the General Government
from those of the State Government:
and these questions will require. when
ever they may occur, not only firmness
but much discretion, prudence and i'm
parliali,y in The Head of the National
Executive. Extreme counsels or ex-
treme opinions on either side, would
be very likely. if followed or adopted,
TO break up the we'll adjusted balance
of the whole. And he who has the I
greatest confidence in his own iudg-
ment, or the strongest reliance on his
own good fortune. may yet be well diff.
hdent of his ability 10 discharge the du-
ties of this trust, in such manner as
shall promote the public prosperity, or
advance its own reputation.
But, gentlemen, while the Office Of
President is quite too high to be sought
by personal solicitation, or for private
ends and objects, it is not to be declin,
ed, if proffered by the voluntary desire
of free people.
tits now more than thirty years
since you and your fellow. citizens Of
New Hampshire, assigned me a part
in political affairs. My public conduct
since that period, is known. My opin-
ions on the great questions, now most
TO the country, are known.
The Constitutional principles which
have endeavored to maintain, are also
known. If these principles and these
opinions, now not likely TO be materi-
ally changed, should recommend me 10
further marks Of public regard and con-
fidence, | should not withhold myself
from compliance with the general will.
But have no pretensions of my own
to bring forward, and trust that no
friends Of mine would at any time use
my name for the purpose of prevent
ing harmony among those whose gen
eral political opinions concur. or for
any cause whatever, but a conscien-
tious regard to the good of the country.
is obvious, gentlemen, that at the
present moment the tendency Of opin-
ion among those to be represented in
the convention is generally and strong
ly set in another direction. think il
my duty. therefore, under existing cir
TO request those, who may
feel preference for me, not to indulge
in that preference. nor oppose any OBJ
stacle to the leading wishes of political
friends, or to united and cordial efforts
for the accomplishment Of those
wishes.
The election of the next autumn
mus. involve, in general, the same prin. !