Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-03-13


expressing minorltles, or encroaching upon their
Just rights. Minorites have right to appeal
to the constitution as shield against sfeh OPP
preston H
That the blessings Of liberty which our con
stisutioh secures may be enjoyed alike by mi
holitles and majoflties, the executive has been
wisely invested with qualified veto upon the
acts OF the legislature. 1t is negative power.
and is conservative in its character. It arrests
tor the time hasty, inconsiderate, OF nnconsti-
tutional Legislation; invites reconsideration,
and transfers questions at issue between the
legislative and executive departments to the
tribunal Of the people. Like all other powers.
1t is subject to Be abused. When judicously
and properly exercised, tie constitution itself
may be saved from refraction, and the rights
of all preserved and protected.
The ineStmable value Of our federal Union
is felt and acknowledged by all. By this sys-
TEN of united and confederated States, our
people are permitted, collectively and individu-
ally, to seek their own happiness in their own
way; and the consequences have been most
suspicious. Since the Union was formed, the
number of States has increased from thirteen
to twenty eight: two of these have taken their
position as members Of the confederacy within
the last week. Our population has increased
from three to twenty millions. New comnu-
mites and states are seeking protection under
Its agls, and multiudes from The Old World
are Hooking to our shores TO participate in its
blessings. Beneath its benign sway. peace and
prosperity prevail. Freed from the burdens
and mlserlss Of war, our trade and intercourse
have extended throughout the world. Mind,
no longer tasked in deyising means to accom-
piish or resist schemes of ambition, usurpation
or conquest, is devoting itself 10 mans true
Interests, in developing his faculties and pow
ers, and the capacity of nature to minister to
his enjoyments. Genius is free to announce its
inventions and discoveries and the hand is
free to accomplish whatever the head conceives,
not Incompatible with the rights Of fellow
being. Ali distinctions of birth and Of rank
have been abolished. i II citizens, whether
native 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 opin-
Ion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.
These are some of the blessings secured TO
our happy land by our federal Union. To per-
petuate them, it is our sacred duty to preserve
it. Who shall assign limits to the achieve
ments OF free minds and of free hands, under
the protection Of this glorious Union? No
treason to mankind since the organization of
SoeiCtt, TOuiu be cqudl III dCIOCltF 10 tIdt OF
HIM who would lift his hand to destroy it.
He would overthrow the noblest structure of
human wisdom, which protects himself and
his fellow-man. He would stop the progress
Of free government, and involve his country
either in anarchy or despotism. He would ex-
tlnguish theH fire of liberty which warns and
animates the hearts Of happy millions, and in
vtes all the nations of the earth 10 initiate cur
example. If he say that error and wrong arc
committed in the administration of the govern
ment, let him remember that nothing 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 error Has the sword
of despofs proved to be a safer or surer instru-
ment or reform In government, than enlighten-
ed reason? Does he expect to find among the
ruins Of this Union happier abode for our
swarming millions than they now have under
it, Every lover Of his country must shudder
at the thought of the possibility of its dissolu-
ton, and will be ready to adopt the patriotic
sentiment, ''Our federal Union-it must be
preserved" To preserve it, the compromise
which alone enabled our fathers to form a com-
mon constitution for the government and pro-
lection of so many States and distinct commtl-
mites, of such diversified habits, interests, and
domestic institutions, must be sacredly and re-
llgiously observed. Any attempt to disturb or
destroy these compromises, being terms of the q
compact of Union, can lead to none other than
the most ruinons and disastrous consequences.
|. is source Of deep regret that, in some
sections Of our country, misguided persons have
occasionally INDUCED in schemes and agitations,
whose object is the destruction of domestic in
situations existing in other sections-insttu
tions which existed at the adoption of the con-
stitution, and were recognised and protected by
it. All must see that if it were possible for
them teiAe successful in attaining their object,
the dissolution of the Union, and the conse-
quent destruction Of eur happy form Of govern
ment, must speedily follow. e5..
am happy to believe that at every period
of our existence as a alton, thu re has existed,
and continues to exist, among the great mass
of our people. a devotion to the Union of the
States, which will shield and protect it against I
the moral treason Of any who would seriously
contemplate its destruction. To secure con-
tinuance of that devotion. the compromises Of
the constitution must not only be preserved,
but sectional jealousies and haart-burnings must
be discountenanced and all should remember
that they are members of the same political
family, having CONNER! destiny. To increase
the attachment of our people to the Union,
our laws should be just. Any POLICY which
shall tend to favor menopolies, OF the peculiar
interests of sections OF classes, must operate to
the prejudice of the interests Of their fellow
citizens, and shcuId be avoided. If the COM
promises Of the constitution be preserved, -if
sectional jealousies and heart burnings be dis
co1ntsnanced, our laws be Just, and the CO.
vernment be practically administered strictly
within the limits of power prescribed 70 il,
we may discard all apprehensions for the safe
ty of the Union. Asla h1g EffisNp
With these views of the nature, chssacter.c
and objects of the government, and the value
the Union, shall steadily oppose the creation