Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-03-08


consequences have been most auspicious Since
the Union was formed, the number the States
has increased from thirteen to twen,y.eight
two OF these have taken their position as mem-
beIs Of the confederacy within the past week.
Our population has increased from three TO
tw enty millions. New communities and states
are seeking protection under its acgis, and mul.
ttudes from the Old World are focking to our
shores TO participate in our blessings. Beneath
its benign sway peace and prosperity prevail.
Freed from the burdens ofmlseries OF war, our
trade and intercourse have extended throughout
the world. Mind, no longer tasked in devisng
means to accomplish or resist schemes of ambi-
ton, usurpation, or conquest, is devoting itself
10 mans true interests, IN developing his iacu-
ties and powers, and the capacity Df nature to
minis, TO his enjoyments
Genius is free tn announce it's inventions and
discoveries ; and the hand is free to accomplish
Whatever the head conceives, not Incompatible
with the rights of fellow being. All dlstInc.
! tions of birth of rank have been abolished All
citizens. whether native or adopted, are placed
upon terms OF precise equality. All are enti-
tied TO equal rights and equal protection. No
! union exists between church and State, and
! perfect freedom OF opinion is guaranteed to all
! sects and creeds. These are some of the bles-
sings secured TO our happy land by our federal
| Union. To perpetuate them, it is our sacred
duty to preserve it. Who shall assign limits
! 10 the achievements of free minds and free
bands, under the protection of this glorious u
mon No treason TO mankind since the organ
izaion of society, would be equal in atrocity to
,ha' Of him who would lt his hand to destroy it,
Tie would overthrow the noblcst structure oc
human wisdom, which protects himself and h 8
fellow.man.
He would stop the progress Of free govern
ment, and involve his country either in anarchy
or despo,lsm. lie would exlinguish the fire of
liberty which warns and animates the hearts of
happy millions, and invites all the nations ut the
| earth to initiate our example.
u he sny that error aud wrong ire committed
in the administration of the government let
him remember that nothing human can be per-
feet {; and under no other system ofgovernmeDt
revealed by Heaven. or devised by man, has
reason been al owed so free and broad scope to
combat error. Has the sword of desputs proved
tn be safer or surcr instrument of reform in
government, thnn enlightened reason
D"es he expect 10 find among the ruins of
this Union happier abode for our swarInlng
millions than they NOW have under it Every
lover ofhis country must shudler at the thought
Of the possibility OF It's dissolution, and wIll be
ready TO adopt the patriotic sentiment. "Our
: f drral UnloI-It must be preserved" To pre-
serve It. the compromises which alone enabled
our fathers To T. rin a common constitution tor
the government and protect ion ofso many Safes
E md distinct communities, fsuch diverslti. ha-
bits, interests, and domestic Institutions, must
be sacredly aud regiously observed Any At
tempt to disturb or destroy these compromises,
being terms Of compact of Union, can lead to
none other than the most ruinous and disaster.
Gus consequences.
II Is source uf deep regret that, in some Sec
tions OF our country, misguided persons have oc.
Casonally INDUCED IN schemes and agitatuns,
whose object is the destruction Of domestic in
/ silutlons existing IN other sections lnstitu-
tions which existed at the adoption of the con-
, stitullon, and We're recognised and protected by
1t. Al must see that If II were possible for
them I" be successful in attaining their object,
the dissolution of the Union, and the consequent
destruction Of our happy form OF government,
, must speedily follow.
: am happy to believe that at every period of
:, our existence as nation, there has existed, and
:, continues to exist, among the great mas. o: our
:. p, ope devotion To the Union of the States,
y which will shield and protect 1t against the mo-
,s raj treason OF any who would seriously cOntem-
a, plate tH destruction. To secure a continuance
of that dcvolioa the compromises Of the consli-
., tuition must not only be preserved hut sectional
4 ieaouses and heart.burnings must be dscoun.
:, tenanced and all should remember that they
i. are members of the same political family, ha.
NJ wing common Ctstlny.
To increase the attachment Of orr people to
- the Union, our laws SHOULD be- just. ANY poll
Il cy which shall tend TO favor monnpolics, or the
a peculiar interests of section classes, must o.
-, pers,e to the prejudice Of the interests OF then
- fellow.citizens, and should be avoided. II the
NJ compromises Of the constitution be preserved
= ifsec,onal iealouSies and heart. burnngs be dis
90 count our laws be Just, and the go
,d vernment be practically administered strictl,
~ within the limits of power prescribed to tive
p" NAV discard all apprehensions :or the safety o
os the Union.
q. With these views of the nature, character
hv and objects oi the Government, and the value O
n. the Union shall steadily oppose the creation o
of those institutions and systems which, in thel
he nature, tend 10 pcrvert It from its legitimate pur
IN poses, and make it the instrument of sections
o- classes. and individuals We need no nationa
60 banks or other eXiraneous institutions planle
10 around the Government to control or strength
en- il in opposition 10 the will Of its authors
7 Experience has taught us how unnecessary the
II are as auxiliares of The public authoritics hoy
IS, impotent for good and how powerful for ms
10 chief
~. Ours was intended to plain and frugal gc
10 vernmeni; and shall regard il To be my dut
To- to recommend to Congress- and. as far as tn
Oh , Executive is concerned, to enforce by all tn
,n means within my power, the strictest econom
in the expenditures OF the public money, whic
es may be compatible with the public interests.
Ii. A national debt has become almost an inst
Ill tuition OF European monarches. Ii is We've,
nj in some OF them, as an essential prop to exit
on ting governments. Melancholy is the cond
nj ton OF that people whose government cen
Is. sustained only by system which periodical