The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-22


pr, scented to the American people by Messrs. Cal
houn and Buchanan, our enlightened and patriotic
Secretaries of State, in the correspondence recently
published make our right and claim TO the latitude
hfty-four degrees forty minutes so unquestoi-
able, that to negotiate, compromise, or recede,
would be to detract from our national dignity
and character. That although citizens of the great
commercial emporium of the Western World-wlth
interests which are best advanced by peace-depend'
ent in a material extent, upon quiet and unrestrct-
ed commerce with the whole world-we prefer ma
king any sacrifice rather than have furnished, in the
least possible degree the good name of our national
oonfederncy; and that sternly of opinion that
the Congress of the United States should give I'M.
mediate notice to the British government of our IN
tenton to put end to the joint occupation OF Ore
gon, and to throw around and over our felow-ctl-
zens there the protection of our laws
8. That the tariff of 1912 is an odous and oppres-
sive law--ts passage was uncaed for by any pub
lie necessityit draughted with selfish, local,
mercenary, and monopoizing end--it was passed,
and became of record our statute book, in vola-
ton Of public and private rights, and IN derection
Of the principles of political creed. That we ask
its material modification upon the settled principle
of the republican party, that tariff properly ar
ranged should impose the lowest ruto OF duty on ar.
tices Of foreign import that will raise the required
amount of revenue, be it much or little. That we
repudate the whole doctrines of protection urged
by the ordy manufacturers of the East who, while
claiming "protecton" from the government, and
drawing thereby into their own pockets the tax lew
led upon other mems industry, yield to the artisan
and laborer more scanty remuneration for their
toll That the country requires that all laws for the
collection of defray the expenses of the
administration Of the government, should be framed
upon the principles, and nude to stand the test OF
the constitution. And that we believe that the law
Of 1912, in its origin and passage, is in direct conflict
with the spirit and intent of that instrument.
7. That we rejoice at the unanimous passage of
the resolutions introduced In the Senate of the
States by General Cass, senator from Michigan,
making inquiry into the condition of the navy, the
national Notifications, their armaments, and our de-
fcnsiye works. That whatever may be the result
of the questions in dispute between this and foreign
governments, sound policy demands that put
ourselves into armor and an attitude sufficient
to repel any foreign attack. And that, to whatever
extent Congress may deem It proper to make
appropriations for the increase of the navy and
army, their action will be sustained by the unieh
American people, without distinction of party.
s. That we are in favor Of the propositions to
amend the constitution of this State, by the intro
duction of articles therein, prohibiting the State
from constructing, and from loanlng its credit or
moneys to aid in constructing any road railroad, or
canal, and prohibiting the State, after the State
debts, including the debt to be incurred for finishing
tho present canals, and the Erie canal enlargement
shall have been paid from lcvyng tolls greater in
amount annually than may be sufficient to pay the
expenses Of the repair and superintendent of said
canals, anu inc expenses Oh gov
eminent Of this State.
0. That we regard the policy indicated in the
preceding resolution, as the most simple, compre.
hensive, sound and statesinanke that has been Of
ferred TO the consideration OF the public; that Will
reach and remedy all the evils which have resulted
from the existing system; that il will cfectualy and
forever stop those combinations which have too
much characterized our past legs'aon; that 1t will
relieve our citizens from all future debt, and from all
apprehension of future debt and taxation; that It
viii give renewed strength and vgor to republican
form of government; that 1t promises IN time TO
open free channel, in which the productions of the
great West will flow through this State to the At
lantic seaboard, and through which merchandise of
that seaboard will in turn be conveyed TO the West,
thereby establishing that freedom of commerce
which is essential to the full enjoyment of all the
advantages to be derived from the use of our great
canals; and that consider those advantages of the
last importance to the future wealth and prosperity
of this State and city.
TO- That we cannot too strongly recommend the
said proposed amendments to the full Free and candid
consideration Of the people Of this State, with
view to their adoption by the conventions and their
final adoption by the people as part OF the organic
law of this State.
H. That the distinction established in the pres
ent constitution between people of color, allowing
such of them have property to vote, and cx-
Guiding others, is an antI-republcan distinction, as
the possession of property is not the test of intel
Iigence or OF worth; and that as we are therefore
driven to the alternative of excluding all allow
ing all these people to vote, we are most decidedly
of the opinion that all should be excluded. We
cannot regard them belonging TO the race to
which the government of this country is committed;
that there is natural antpathy between the races
founded strong natural and physical differences,
forbdding social political anal gamaton; that the
the attempt to unite the races by constitutional or
legal provisions has signally failed in this State al
ready; that constitutional provision, not III ac-
a1~l,r liz MI IN his
would again fail in eevating the colored race to a
practicable participation in the government of this
State; and that it is most unwise to adopt any con-
stitutiona provision which will not in fact he sus-
tanned by public sentiment, or to attempt to make
such sentiment conform to consti utonal provi-
sion.
~. That we are in favor of the practical extern
sion Of the right Of suffrage by extending to the
people the right Of electing ALL or nearly ALL the
officers now appointed by the legislature, or by the
governor and senate; that we regard the people as
competent and virtuous as their agents. and as well
qualified to Judge of the qualifications Of candidates
for office; that by comparison of the workings Of
the two systems under the present constitution it
will be found that the people have, at least, done as
well their agents in the selection of their officers,
and we think better; that this mode of selection will
essentially modify the central power Of the govern
ment, which is SO fruitful of evil and produce that
diffusion Of political power which is the anmating
principle Of republic.
Il. That, in our opinion, there ought to be en-
grated on the constitution an amendment allowing
the legislature confer boards Of supervisors le
gslative powers for local purposes; and that in
Judgment, the evils and excuses Of legislation
der which we now suffer would be remeded by es-
tsblishing biennial meetings of the legislature; that
in favor of an entire separation of the judicial
from the legislative departments, and in favor Of
general reorganization of the judicial department;
that hold all who agree with us in the main and
essential doctrines of the democratic party and ad
here to its usagcs, as entitled to equal standing
within the party; that we regard all minor dstinc-
tons having their origin in factious spirit, seek
ing to control by applying narrow tests in regard to
the past, and which have no reference to the great
measures of the present and the future; and that,
therefore, those who make those distinctions merit
the sternes rebuke of all who favorable to demo-
cratic progress.
a. That the present charter government of this
city has failed by defects in its organic construc-
ton, to answer the necessities of our present ex-
tended prosperity; that it is weak, dilatory, and ex