The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-03-13

ANA we reIDlce IN the general happiness
prosperity, and advancement of our coun
try, which have been the offspring OF free
/ dom and not Of power.
This most admirable and wisest system
of well regulated self-government among
men, ever devised by human minds, ha
been tested by It's successful operation TO
more than half century; and # preserved
from The usGrpaton of the federal govern
ment on the one hand, and the exercise by
the States of power not reserved TO then
on The other, will, ferventIy hope anC
believe, endure for ages to come, and dis
pense the blessings of civil and religious
liberty to distant generations. To effect
objects so dear to every patriot, | shall de-
vote myself with anxious sollclludc. Ii
will be my desire to guard against lhe most
fruitful source Of danger 10 the harmon>
Gus 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 gov
ernment for powers which have been with,
held from the federal government by the
constitution. By the theory OF our gov
ernmenl, najorItles rule; but this tight is
not an arbitrary or unlimited one. 1t is
a right 10 be exercised in subordnation TO
the constitution and in conformity to it.
O0e great object of the constitution was 10
restrain majorities from expressing minor
Ties, or encroachlng upon their just rights.
Minorilies have right to appea! TO the
constitution, as a shield against such OPP
preston.
That the blessings of liberty which our
constitution secures, may be enloved alike
by minorilies and majorilies, the executive
has been wisely invested with a qualified
veto upon the acts Of the legislature 1t is
a negative power, and is conservative in
lis character. 1t arrests for The time hasty
lnconsiderate, or unconstitutional legisla-
ton; invites reconsideration, and transfers
questions at issue between The legislative
and executive departments Of the tribunals
of the people. Like all other powers, it
is subject 10 be abused. When judicious-
Y and properly exercised, the conslitu-
ten itself may be saved hom infraction,
and the rights Of all preserved and pro-
tecled.
The inestima5le value OF our federal
Union is felt and acknowledged by ALL
BY this system Of united and confederated
States, our people are permitted, collect
i've y and individually, 10 seek their own
happiness in their own way and the con-
sequences have been most suspicious. -
Since the Union was formed, the number
of States has increased from thirteen 10
twenty.e eight, two OF these have taken their
position as members of the confederacy |
within the last week. Our population has
increased from three 10 twenty millions.
New communities and States are seeking
protection under lis BgiS, and muItitudes
from the Old World are hocking 10 our
shores to participate in its blessings. Be.
meath lis benign way, peace ard mseries
Of war, our trade aQd intercourse have ex.
tended throughout the world Mind no
longer tasked in devising means tc accom-
plSh or resist schemes o! ambition, usur-
patton, or conquest, is devoting itself 10
mans true Interests, and developing his
faculties and powers, and the capacity oil
nature TO minister 10 his enjoyments. Ge-
Mus is free to announce its inventions and
discoveries; and the hand is free 10 ac-
,ompIish Whatever the head conccives not
Incompatible with TIE rights of fellow
oeing. All distinctions of birth or rank
have been abolished. All citizens,
whether native or adopted, are placed
lpon terms of precise equality. All are
'nutled TO equal rights and protection -
No union exists between Church and
State, and perfect freedom of opinion is ;
guaranteed TO all secIs and creeds:
These are some ofthe blessings secur-
Ito our happy land by our fedora Union
10 pcrpetuate them it is our sacred duty ;
o preserve it. Who shall assign limits 10
he achievements of free minds and free
lands under the protection Of this glori. {
us Union No treason to mankind, t
ince the organization of society, would {
e equal in atrocity TO that of him who t
would lift his hand to destroy it. He /
would overthrow the nobIest structure of 7
rec government, and involve his country 6
ilher in anarchy or despotism. He would q
the fire of liberty, which warns I
MI animates the hearts Of happy millions,
I'D invites all the nations of the earth to /
initiate our example. II he say that error il
nd wrong are committed IN the admins t
ration of The government, let him remem~ t
er that nothing human can be perfect s
nd that under no other system of govern. P
1ent revealed by Heaven, or devised bv C
nan, has reason been allowed so free and n
road scope TO combat error. Has the t
word OF despots proved to be a safer or S
urer instrument of reform in government p
nan enlightened reason2 Does he ex. g
ect 70 find among the ruins of this Union c
happier abode for our swarming millions o
IAN they now have under it? Every low. e
r of his country must shudder at the fl