The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-05-18

| hope IL will not exceed the decoruai OF
the occasion, am sure II is consistent
with The most perfect good nature, if say
that, in my opinion, that distinguished i'll
divdual might save himself some consid>
cradle trouble in writing, and those who
read great deal Of reading, lr :quenl
laughter, if he would adop, some settled,
short formula of answering questions.
When two gentlemen meet IN The morn
ing, we know that each says to the o,he,
chow do you do TO. day." and the other
answers by slying: "rhal k you-pretly
much as usual" Or, if he be my coun-
trymen, who makes the answer, he would
say, "Welln' don't know, thank We
pretty murh as usual" A laugh Now.
l think this Yankee form of answering
questions would be Of great assistance il,
the political correspondence of the GEN
tleinan on newly arising question of
national concern, if he would. when ask
eh his opinion, answer: well, | don,
know, thank ye, pretty much as usual
Great laughter and applause
Gentlemen, never agreed to that plaus-
ible maxim Of the poet, that what is best
administered is best | know, we all
know, that there ars certain forms of 90
vernmcnl that are more likely to be adj
mlnistcred well than other forms. There
are certain forms of government, in the
elements OF which enter a higher and
deeper regard for the public interest than
enters into other forms. But, neverthe-
less, it is most important truth, too often
overlooked in public and national affairs,
that no form Of government, no matter
how constructed, can work out tho safety
and prosperity OF the people without an
honest and skiliul administration
Government lis not mechanical ana.
chine, producing lis results like a cotton
Jenny or nail-makmg machine. II is a
moral process, calling for character, for
intelligence, for honesty aud good inten-
ions. Constitutions of government and
elementary laws are essential, absolutely
essential guides to public servants; as The
stars, the sun, and the moon are essential
to direct the navigator across the deep
or as the lighthouses, scattered along
thousand miles of coast, are necessary
10 the preservation of those who follow
the SEA. Notwithstanding all these lights
ale hung out al every prnmontory, unless
there is skill at the helm of the vessel she
will 60 ashore or be wrecked on the
breakers. So il is with regard to poIili-
cal affairs. We require restraints. But
II we have rulers who will not regard
them, and will not see the light. the YES
sci will be sunk.
], is therefore an incumbent duty on
every generation, Oh all men, on the sub
Jccl OF lice government, at all times. to
act with vigilance, and | will say jealousy
for republican jealousy, if not carried to
rNcess, is virtue towards those who adj
.Wlnister The Govcrnment--to see that all
The securities and guards OF public liberty
are properly observed. Now ! do no,
deem it too much to say, nor in the least
NJ just, tina, in order TO maintain the Con-
slilu,Iou under which we live, dis duty
Of guardianship, this conservative, impcr-
alive obigati,n of protecting what we
have received from our ancestors. devoivcs
upon us according to the name and charac-
ter which we bear We call ourselves
Wings Whoare ourancestors? Why some
Of them ! see here. see those who have
the badges of '76 on their breasts. Then
are Wings. Washington and his noble
band of compaIriols were Wings. Those
who formed the Conledcracv were Wings;
those who undertook the later admins
traIions, secured. and upheld Washington
IN the earlier movements, were Wings.
We bear name not only distinguished
by wounds, scars, sultrings, aud blood,
but ais" a name made lofty by deeds Of
the highest character. 1t belongs to us,
therefore, if VIC be true to the name we
dear, and to all generations, to remember
at whose hands we received the political
BLESSINGS which we ENJOY. We are bound
to tlms preservation. We are tied to it.
], is our destiny. We cannot separate
ourselves from it. And while nothing
shall Tighten us from the use of the name,
nothing, nothing of seduction, nothing OF
terror sbmhd prompt us for single mo-
merr tN' give up one of the great lrinci-
rles belonging 80 riaat party
II is our duty TO preserve the Constr
au,ior, and TO see from time to time that
,ts administration is confided to honest;
faithful, and able hands--lo take care that
so long as we have an interest in it, that
we do not disgrace the larcst inheritance
ever enjoyed by any nalon. Virtuously
honestly, paarioticaIIy acting, we can sup
port il Coz our time with the blessing OF
Providence. We can leave with an in
junction to support it, The Constitution
under which we live, and all our great in
terests; and lie, US so conduct ,u selves
and teach those who may come after US,
that if, in the vicissiludes ofhuman affairs
that grand constitutional structure, the
great work of the world, that noble
achievement Of our fathers shall be des-