New-York daily tribune., 1844-08-29

vol. EV. NO. I23.
u.,=,..,r
an armed force, and by the regular, pcaceabe,
Constitutional cxer,ion of the public will.
In my estimation, gentlemen, this fact Of The
highest Importance TO US, and OF great interest
and Importance 10 the whole world Of mankind;
because 1t prores that u Republican government
ever great country OF various Interests, conncc-
lIoEs, associations and pursuits IS We. prac.ica-
ble; that 1t has possible permanence: that it
may DC continued and exercise its functions. For
such a government has existed, has continued IL
self, has exercised its functions, as | have said
for more than half century; and that halt ce.,-
tury, be II always remembered, has been period
in history,-or in it fierce wars have afflicted
the nations OF Europe, and revolutions without
irailel for CONFUSION and violence, have shaken
tse dynasties Of the elder world.
II Is true, therefore, that on a great area there
has existed, during this period. Republican
aud popular form of Government. It's officers
have been renewed, during this period, by the
choice of the People, III which the succession of
power has been as peaceablc and regular as in
any Of the established monarchies or dyrastles
OF the ancient world.
In the second place, our history proves that not
only is such Republican Government capable
OF continuance, and, as we hope, OF ptfpctuty,
but IL Is capable also of exercising all the func-
tiuns and all the powers necessary TO Govern
mcnt, and OF performing all the cuties requisite
10 The protection aud defence OF the country, and
To the advancement Of the prosperity Of the
people
And in the third place, our history shows
that this Government and this Constitution,
ffr'
surface, II administered by wise and good lntn
and supported by v'rtuous community, IS IN Us
tendency salutary Government that It's gene
raj property is to act tor the good Of the people ;
and ;har, therefore, as parental and guaro ian in
lis character, exercising It's functions for the
general veal, 1t attaches TO Itself II sentiment OF
general support and appreciation.
AND, finally, our history proves that such a
Government may exist, with all the necessary
powers Of Government, with all the tendencies OF
s.lutary administration and exist, at the same
ume with the perfect safety of popular liberty
and Of private rights because, i'll this respect,
looking back over The half century which has
passe d, VIC may somewhat proudly challenge the
world, including the most advanced and enlght-
cned nations of Europe, to show that, any where
on the face Of The earth, there exists Il Govern
ment which provides greater security Tor private
right, for he aud popcrly-and greater security
for popular public liberty, than has been maln-
laned IN these Uolt, d States.
Now. as have said, 1t appears to me, that IN
reviewing the past, we may congratulate our
sc Ives that NC have set this great example. not
only to our posler!ty, but 10 the whole civilized
world-an example which the world has desired
10 see which all the luvers of civil liberty and
ali who are friendly to popular government,
have anxiousIy sought to behold
You know, fellow citizens, that 1t has been
current oplnlun with thusc who speculate upon
government, that republican forms OF govern
nent are adapted only to the affairs OF small
countries. distinguished English phllnso'
uher, writing some sixty or. seventy years
ago, said, that this having bean the opinlon oi
uoIltical writers, the truth OF that opinion Was
about to be brought to the test OF Experiment;
aud that great experiment was to DC MADE III
America. If that distinguished writer had lived
10 this dav If nc had reviewed with us the occur
rences and incidents Of the last fifty years-lf he
could be here 10 day, and see with what order
ana quiet and intelligence great public questions
are discussed by the great body OF the people, nc
would have said, and he would have fcolccd 10
ne able to say, that the great experiment had
u;cecded IN America.
Nou,, gentlemen, there arc two propositions
which it is nv purpose to submit 10 you, ana III
suunort of which shall offer such remarks as 1
NAV be able TO make, and you may be soic 10
,,ea- in this vast concnursa OF inen.
Thc first is that, if this government, under
rb;rh we shall have lived iily.slx years on the
3rd dav of March next, has fully and fairly, TO The
satisfaction of al men, and 10 the aGmiIat'oh %
tho world fulfilled tho objects designed by 1t,
,tr,pn
or the happiness Of those who are to come aiter
us, 10 support that constitution ana government
And. m the second place, say, that. 1t the sue
coss ofrhis Constitutions for the period have men,
oned be fairly reerrabe TO the adoption and prac-
,ce nf amy preat syst, IN Of measures, which we can
comprehcnd. which we can understand, OF which
we have mad experience, then say It we love
the Constitution and il we mean to defend ana
transmit it 10 our children, our pain duty is, as
far as in us lies, 10 pursue the same system OF
public measures and 10 adhere to all, and each,
and every one Of those great principles.
The question, then is gentlemen, has the Con
sti;ulion of the Unied States fulfilled the Objects
for which it was established
To the intelligent understanding OF this cues
lion. and the rendering satisfactory answer, we
must first look to the period of lis adoption, and
ascertain what acrc Its ohecis-to what great
end, for what significant and especial purpose,
did onr fathers adopt the Constitution OF the Gene
al Government
Now, gentlemen, however COMMONPLACE it
may be, ii is vastly important that we shoud re,
m.rk always, on these occasions, on the state .l
the Country while it was yet remaining IN lndi-
vidual States. connected only by The loIse bands
of the old Con'ederacy. The Revolutionary War,
and its termination, at the peace OF SO. made the
thirteen States independent States; but 1t lett
them with feeble powers. conferred Tor certain
purposes and TO be exercised under certain con-
d,llons. They formed one Government TO TO
purpose and with no object. They had no com
mon revenue, no common commerce, no common
nationality a man could call himself a citizen
ot Ncw-YUk, citizen of Massachusetts OF
Georgia; but no man, with any emphasis, ana
certainly not in any particular which makes US
proud 50 To call ourselves, could call himself, any
where on the ace OF The Garth, an american citi7
zen: because there Was no unity, no Identity, 10