The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-07-11

are Indebted 10 II for whatever active power they
may practically exert, on great scale the worst
owe TO moral conduct OF ubiquitous character,
public and private, their origin and ascendeney.
We may illustrate its feicilous influence by adver
ting the extensive benefit of the principle OF justice
and gratitude, directed by dscernment, in benefling
the public, by besowing on men OF uprightness and
intelligence the patronage OF Government or oil The
People. The public funds saie-the equity due TO
individuals faithfully admnistered-the laws en-
forced without favor or affection--these the re
suits Of such virtue in possessed of power
But let il be oiherwise-and immense decentralization
spreads-intrigue and corruption have the entire,
almost entire sway; money carries every thing before il
virtue is dishearened, vice triumphs the Constitu
ton becomes engine Of oppression and scene OF
confusion, disgrace degradation and mischief ensues
over which all true patriots mourn
II is true that extraordinary may raise
their UNDECIDED Voice amidst such scenes, and ac-
complish benefits, preventing entire overthrow;
but their influence must be limited unless sustained
by general public morality, ministering in all It's
fuuc tons of justice and benefcence.
Wealth may be accumulated to profuson-all the
channels of commerce may be filled with capital
and yet, by its unequal distribution, burdens destruc'
tive Of the happiness of large portion of the Peo-
Pile may deprive them of their proper advantages and
amid seeming prosperity the seeds of terrific mis-
chief may be The prosperity of nation
should not be like that which just preceded the gem
eral deluge when the heaying waters of the vast
abyss ready to burst through the crust Of the
earth, and overwhem the rich, dssolute unjust and
violent Inhabitants
DIT, 10 Z, Inn, tat he neal
that public and private virtue should exist ex
tensve scale it is indispensable 10 the very ersenee o.
Republican government. Republican government, al
though the BEST is the difficult of all govern
ments to preserve. If any one doubt this fact, let
him look at the history of Europe for the last two
hundred and fifty years. Every Republican govern
ment OF any cons siderable extent has been swept
away from Europe. Holland, ard Venice, and Ge-
noa and Poland have all ceased 10 exist Republics
and the independence of three of them been totally
obliteraied. Switzerland, embosomed in mountains,
isolated in great measure from the rest Of the
world, and too poor to attract rapacty, has alone
escaped, unless we mention San Marine, too insig
nicant to exert the smallest influence These facts
show that there must be uniform opera
ting produce monarchy for fact exists without
cause, without adequate cause. 1t is
therefore manifest that We have this to
guard against, and that unless Stunned with
care and a discernment which have not
isted elsewhere, must certainly become
a monarchy, or divide into several mcnarchies.
There is adequate force which can be applied to
shield us from this catastrophe but the virtue and
intelligence of the People Republican govern
ment is by far the best for US, if will but exert
the necessary virtue and sagacy to maintain it in its
spirit and vital energy but great is the difficulty
of this, that many of the most acute politicians of
Earope predict its destruction among u.s. and will do
what they slyy to effect it while others, truly
friendly to the success of our system, and, indeed
ardenty DESTROYS thereof, look with frequent appre
henson on its progress. For our part we believe
that it will be maintained but we fully tina,
the means necessary TO its existence and glory must
be used. There is no other of a general ma
ture but strenuous efforts of public and private viz
tue, and the intense application of educated inte-
t-----'~, sa"o sruo5 o5ur"s, couurry-uyaDsr
republican government-against the effect of our ex
ample in melioratiDg the condition Of the world a,
la ges Who will dare 10 incur that curse Of God and
man, live with that dshonor, and die in the horrors
of that guilt Who, by his public and private con
duct in such an hour and day as tbs, will contribute
his weight to the ruin Of his country 2
Let every part of our country enjoy It's natural ad
vantages, and statesmen respect the compromises
OF the Constitution. One of the great curses, here
tofore, OF human governments, has been the nhuman
ty the Partially, which has forced nature from her
proper course by artificial legislation. Some Lon
don, or some Paris, some Babylon, must be built
up to rule and Cypress whole sections of country
Our system not founded in such views but in
those of mutual benefits " the general defence and
the common welfare were the professed objects 10
be attained by the exercise Of the specific and limit
ed powers Of the Constitution.
Our Constitution coniemplates, too, the peaceful ex
ertIon OF the ballot box the means of redressn0
grievances. Whoever, therefore, invaIes the rights
OF his ellowcitizens in these respects and a,emn,
by violence TO prevent their exercise of the rights oa
rantied by the Constitution strikes blow at The b,
ses Of our political edihce All citizens, wbe,bsr
natives or naturazed should have the right peace
fully to enjoy whatever benefit has been conferred
oy The Constitution or the laws and in any case in
which any part OF our countrymen feel or think they
feel, grievance from existing law, its repeal
should be sought by free discussion peaceful mea
sures and with strict regard to rights conferred by
laws still in force. Nor should any person or per-
sons be tolerated in any attempt to abidge their dis
cussion of any subject in their primary assemblies.
wherein they think their rights dsregarded their Ii
berries perilled, their interests jeoparded "Free
dom OF speech and Of the press are sacred anchors
which we must preserve, if we would not have our
happiness shpwrecked. Not only our own felicity !
is involved in our adbering to oil these msxims bu,
the great cause Of religious and civil liberty through
out the world
Having, with faithful purpose, sketohed some or
he great principles which are necessary to be OBJ |
served and cherished with aHectionate care bv our