Arkansas intelligencer., 1845-03-29

surest bulwark against anti.reEublican tendencies;
and to the preservation Of the general govern
ment in its whole constitutional vigor, the sheet
anchor of our peace at home, and safety abroad" "
To the government of the United States has
been entrusted the exclusive management Of our
foreign affairs. Beyond that. it welds few gen.
eraI enumerated powers. 1t does not force reform
on the States. II leaves ndvid uaIs, over whom
it CASTS its protecting influence. entirely free to inn
prove their own condition by the legitimate oxer.
else Of all their mental and physical powers. 1t
is n common protector of each and all the States;
of every man who lives upon our soil, whether OF
natve or foreign birth; Of every religious sect,
in the worship of the Almighty according to the
dictates of tn ir own conscience; OF every shade
of opinion, and the most free inquiry OF every
art, trade. and occupation consistent with the laws
Of the States. And we rejoice in the genera hap
piness, prosperity. and advancement OF our coun-
try. which have been the offspring Of freedom,
and not of power.
This most admirable and wsest system Of we'll
regulated self.government among men, ever de-
vised by human minds, has been tested by lis sue
cessful Of GRAFTON for more than half n century
AM, , if preserved from the usurpaons OF the led
eral government on the one hand, and the eAer-
else by the States of powers not reserved TO them
on the other, will, fervently hope. and believe
endure for ages TO come, and dispense the bless.
ing of civil and religious liberty to distant gener ra.
tions To effect o jec,s so dear to every patriot !
shall devote myself with anxious sohcItnde. 1t
will be my desire 10 guard against that most fruit
fu source of danger TO the harmonious action OF
our system which consists in substituting the
mere discretion and caprice of the Executive, or
of majorites in the legislative department OF the
! r h h,, koon hbnII
from the federal government by the constitution.
By the theory of our government, maJorltIes rule;
but this Ugh, is not an arbitrary or unlimited one.
1t is right to be exercised in subordInallon to the
constitution. and in conformity 10 it One great
object of the constitution was to restrain maJorI-
ties from depressing minorilies, or encroaching
upon their Just rights. Minortles have right to
appeal 10 the constitution, as shield against such
oppression.
That the blessings of liberty which our consti.
tuition secures may be enjoyed alike by minorities
and majorties. the executive has been wisely ln-
vested with qualified veto upon the acts Of the
legislature. 1t is a negative power and is con.
servative 10 its character. 1t arrests for the time
hasty, inconsiderate, or unconstitutional legsla-
ton; invites reconsideration. and transfers
questions at issue between the legislative and ex-
ecutive departments TO the tribunal OF the people,
Like all other powers, it is subject to be abused
When judciousy and properly exercised, the con.
stiiution itself NAV be saved from niracuoh, and
the rights of all preserved and protected.
The ineslmable value of our federal Union is
felt and acknowledged by all. By this system of
united and conederated States, our people are pei
mit,ed collectively and Individually, 10 seek their
own happiness in their own way; and the conse-
Quences have been most auspicious. Since tho
Union was formed, the number Of the States has
increased from thirteen to twenty-e'sh': Two OF
these have taken their positions as members OF
the confederacy within the last week. Our pop
ulalion has increased from three to twenty null
ions New communities and States are seeking
protection under its Rgls, and muIrudes from the
Old World are focking to our shores to partIcI-
pate in its blessings. Beneath its benign sway,
peace and prosperity prevail. Freed from the
burdens and mScres OF war; our trade and inter-
course have EXTENDED throughout the world
Mind, no longer lasked in devlslng means 10 ac.
compsh or resist schems Of ambition, usurpa-
ton. or conquest; is deyoting itself 10 mans true
interests, in developing his faculties and powers,
and the capacity OF nature 10 minister TO his en-
ioyments. Genius is free TO announce its lnven
tons and discoveries; and the hand is free 10 ac-
compIish whatever tho head concelves, not incom
p,libe with the rights Of a felow-beng. All dis
lnctions of birth or Of rank have been abolished.
All citizens whether native or adopted, are placed
upon terms of precise equality. All are entitled
TO equal rights and equal protection. No union ex-
lists between church and state, aud poriec, freedom
of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.
These are some Of the blessings secured TO our
happy land by our federal Union. To perpeluate
them, il is our sacred duty to preserve it. Who
shall assign limits to the achievements oil tieo
minds and free hands, under the protection OF this
glorious Union! Noreason to mankind since the
organization of society, would be equai in alroc-
,y to that of him who would lift his hand to dos.
troy it. Hewould overthrow the no5lest structure
of human wisdom, which protects himself and fel-
low man. He would stop tine progress OF freo CO.
yernment, and involve his country either IN an
archy or despo,ism. He would exngulsh the fire
of liberty which warns and anirnates the hearts
of happy millions, and invites all the nations Of
the earth 10 initiate example, if he sav that er-
ror and wrong are committed in the admlnlstra-
ton Of the government, let him remember that no.
thing human can be- perfect; and that under no
other system Of government revealed by heaven
or devised by man, has reason been allowed SO
free and broad scope to combat orrori Has the
r.