The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-03-10

ialrs Beyond that, II yields few general enumerat
ed powers II does not force reform on the States
IL leaves Individuals over whom it it's protect
ing influence, entirely free improve their own con-
dillon ny the legitimate exercise of all their mental
ana physical powers II is common protector of
each and all the States; of every who lives OPP
on our soil, whether Of native or foreign birth; Of
every religious sect, in their worship of the Almighty
according Ia the dictates OF their conscience; Of
every shade of opinion, and the most fee inquiry; Of
every nr, trade and occupation, consistent with the
lava OF the Suites. And we renice in the general
happiness, prosperity s. advancement Of country,
which have been the offspring OF Freedom, not of
Power.
This most admirable and wisest system Of wellTegr
ulated sell. government among mcn devised by
human minds, has been tested by successful oper.
alton for more than half century; and il preserved
from the usurpations of the Federal Government
the one hand and the exercise by the States Of powers
not reserved TO them on the other. will, ! fGrventy
hopa and believe, endure for ages to come, and dis
pense the blessings Of civil and religious liberty dis
tAn generations. 70 effect objects dear 10 every
patriot, shall devote myself with unxiuus socitude.
II will he my desire To guard against that most fruit
full source Of d inger to the harmonious Of
system which consists in substituting the dscre-
ton and caprice or the Executive of mn joes in
the legislative department of the Government for pow
which have been withheld from the Federal Gov
eminent by the Constitution. by the Theory Of our
Government m, nriiies rule; hui this right il an
arbitrary unlimited II is right To he exGrCS-
ed in snbordnnon to the Constitution, and N confOr-
nlWy II. NJne great OhleCt OF the constitution was
to restrain maJOrtes from expressing mInorties, or
encroaohlno upon their just rights. Mnurilies have
right to appeal to the Constu ton, AZ shield T.
galnst such oppression.
That the blessings oflberty which our Constitution
secures may be enjoyed alike by minureS and
JDres, the Executive has been wisely invested with
qualified veto upon the acts Of the legislature 1t is
negative power, and il conservative lis character
II arrests for the time hasy inconsderate uncon
/ stitutional legislation; invites reconsideration, and
] ,lprS n Issue batyeen IlI.
and Executive departments Of the tribunal of the PEG
Pile Like all other pnwers, it is subject to be abused.
When jndiclousy ami properly exercised, the Con-
stuiion itself mny be saved from inracllon, and the
! lights Of all preserved and protected
The inesilmnb!e value of our federal Union is felt
and acknowledged by all. BY this system Of united
and c0nfederatrd Stlies.our people permitted col
lactiveIy and individuality, seek their hIppi-
/ ness IN their own way; and the consequences have
! been most auspicous Since the Union formed
tho number Of States has increased from thirteen to
twenty eight; two Of these have taken their places
| within the last week. Our population has increased
| from three 10 twenty millions. New communities
and states seeking projection under i'll ggls, and
! multGdes from the Old World h,ckng To our
shores to participate in its blessings. Beneath It's be-
| Rign sway pence and prosperity prevail Freed from
the burdens and miseries Of war, trude and in
tercourse have extended throughout the world Mind
no longer taS<ed in devising means to accomplish or
resist schemes OF ambition, usurpaton, oonquest,i is
devoling itself Ia mans true interests in developing
his faculties and powers and the capacity of nature
| 10 minister TO his enjoyments Genius is free To
noumce its inventions and discoveries and the hand
/ is free to accomplish whatever the head c"nceves,
not incompatible with the rights OF FELLOW being
All distinctions Of birth of rank have been abolish
| ed All citizens, whether native adopted, arc
! placed upon terms Of precise equality. All enti-
| tied to equal rights and equal protection. No u
MON exists between church and state; and perfect
freedom OF opinion is guaranteed 10 all secis aud
creeds
These some of the blessings secured to our
| happy land by federal Union. TO perpetuate
them, Ill is sacred duty preserve it. Who shall
assign limits the achievements of free minds and
free hands, under the protection of this glorious u
Mon? No trenson to mankind since the organization
of society, would he equal in nrority to that Of him
who would lilt his hand to destroy il. lie would ~
| verthrOw the nobest structure Of human wisdom,
which projects himself and his fellow lie
would stop the progress of free government, and in
vove his country either in anarchy or despntism -
He would eXtinguish the fire of liberty which warns
md anrnates the hearts of happy millions, and invites
! all the nations of the earth TO initiate example,
lf he say that error and wrong are committed in the
| administration Of the government, let him remember
that nothing human cHn he perfect; and that under
no other system Of government revealed by Heaven
or devised by man, has reason been allowed free
and brond scope TO combat error. Has the swords
Of despots proved 10 he safer instrument of
reform in government, than enlightened reason? Does
| he expect to find among the ruins Of this Union n
! happier abode for swarning millions than they
! now have under IN Every lover of his county must
shudder at the thought Of the possibility of its DISCO
luton, and will be ready to adopt the patriotic
! tinent, "Our federal Unonit must be preserved -
To preserve it, the compromises which alone enabled
our iiherS to form common constitution for the
government and protection Of many States and dis
nct communities, Of snch diversified habits Interests,
and domestic institutions, be sncre1y and
gionsy observed. Any attempt 10 disturb or destroy
these compromises, being terms Of the compact of u
Mon, lead none other than the most runous
! and disastrous consequences.
II is source of deep regret that, in sections
of our country, msg ded persons hnve occasionally
nduged in schemes and agilaons, whose object is
the destruction Of domestic institutions existing in 9th
secnns- instit n;ions which existed the adop-
ton Of the constitution and recognized and pro-
iected by it. All must that if il possible for
them to be successful in attaining their object, the
dissolution Of the Union, and the consequent destruc
ton of our happy form of government, must speedily
follow.
am happy 10 believe that at every period of
existence n nation, there has exist ed and continues
to exist, among the great Of our people, de-
ton the Union Of the States, which will shield and
protect against the moral treason of any who would
seriously contemplate its destruction. To
r a. .