The St. Landry whig., 1845-03-20

of united and comfederated States, our people
are permitted, collectively and individually, to
seek their own happiness in their own way and
the consequences have been most auspiclons.-
Since the Union was formed, the number of the
States has increased from thirteen to twenty
eight: two of these have taken their position as
members ofthe confederacy within the last week.
Our population has increased from three to TWEEN
ty millions. New communities and States are
seeking protection under its aegis, and multi
tudes from the Old World are aocking to our
shores 10 participate in its blessings. Beneath
its benign sway, peace and prosperity prevail
Freed from the burdens and miseries of war,
our trade and intercourse have extended through
out the world. Mind no longer tasked indevi-
sing means to accomplish or resist schemes of
ambition, usurpation, or conquest, IS deTotIng
itselfto mans true interests, in developing his
faculties and powers, and capacity OF nature to
minister to his enjoyment. Genius is free to
announce its inventions and discoveries and
the hand is free to accomplish whatever the
head conceiyes, not incompatible with the rights
of a fellow-being. All distinctions Of birth or
of rank have been abolished. All citizens
whether navitive or adopted, are placed upon
terms of precise equality. All are entitled 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 ofthe blessings secured to our
happy land by our Federal Union. To pefpet-
uate them, it is our sacred duty to preserve it
Who shall assign limits to the achievements of
free minds and free hands, under the protection
of this glorious union? No treason to mankind,
since the organization ofsociety, would be equal
IN atrocity to that of him WI VIC would lift his hand
to destroy it. He would overthrow the noblest
structure of human wisdom, which protects him
self and his fellow man. He would stop the4pro-
gress Of free government, and involve his coun-
try either in anarchy or despotism. He would
extinguish the fire Of liberty which warns and
animatesthe hearts ofhappy millions, and invites
all the nations of the earth to initiate our exam
pie. If he says that error and wrong are COM
mitted i'm thee administration ofthe government,
let him remeAnber that nothing human can be
perfect andlhat under no other system of gov.
eminent revealed by Heaven or devised by man,
5 has reason been allowed so free and broad a
scope to ombat error.
Has the sword of despots proved to be a safer
or surer instrument of reform in government
: than enlightened reason ! Does he expect to find
4 among the ruins of this Union a happier abode
/ for our swarming millions than they now have
/ under it Every lover ofhis country must shud
J der at the thought ofthe possibility of its disso-
D luton, and will be ready to adopt the patriotic
q sentiment, sour Federal Union-it must be pre-.
served. To preserve it, the compromises which
alone enabled our fathers to form a commo
e constitution for the government and protection
of so many States, and distinct communities, o
= :uo. lapi''' lnuo no NV onles
!. $50 Z. "', $50 ~ ss - 49,, ~ 49, eaL \ W
. comnromises, heinz terms Of The comnacf 9th,
n TTnion. can lead to none other than the most mi
nous and disa stro,ls consequences.
a II is 4 source of deem reGret that. in some sec.
Il t;ons of o,,r country. misonided nersons have or
i casionaly. INDUCED in schemes and aoitations
+. whose object is the Obstruction &c domestic insti
,e tutions existing in other lcections-institution
he which existed at the adostohpf the constitution
II. and were recognized and protected by it. All
le must see that lift were possible for them to b.
,p successful in attaining their object, the dissolu
Of ton of the Union, and the consequent destruc
ton of our happy form of government, mus
he speedily follow.
ne I am happy to believe that at every period G
ic our existence as a nation there has existed, an
IT, continues to exist, among the great mass Of GU
On people, a devotion to the Union of the State
which will shield and protect against the mora
ce treason of any who would seriously contemplat
its destruction. To secure a continuance oftha
as devotion, the compromises of the Constitute
n must not only he preserved, but sectional iea
~ lousies and hear. bnrninqs must be discounter
anced. and all should remember that thcv ar
er members Of The same political family. having
" common destiny. 70 increase The attacbme,
Il. Of our peopIe to the Tnion. onr laws should he ms
.sal Any noIicv which shall tend 10 "a vor monon1
nd lies. or the necnliar interests Of sections or ia,
: 500 n,,st one,ate - The nre;,dico oftbe ;nteres
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