The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-03
PROSPECTUS
For publishing 1T Washington d newspaper
to be called
"THE UNION.''
PROSPECTUS
TO THE PUBLIC.

Having purchased from Messrs. Blair and Rives
the whole establishment of the "Globe," we propose
publishing at Washington paper, to be styled
"THE UNION"
We approach the task before us with adeep seLse
of the responsibility which we are about to assume,
and not without much difiidence Of our quulihcaI
| tons. We have some acquaintance, indeed, with
the duties of editor of newspaper, but it was
acquired upon other theatres, much more limited
and less conspicuous than the metropolis Of our con-
federated and widespread republic. (.
! We can scarcely be charged with any inordinate
vanity in saying that upon the success of instr
tutions depends, in great degree, the destiny Of
the Oldest countries of Europe. distant posterity
has deep interest in our fate The blessings of
liberty are essential to the prosperity of the whole
| human race; and where are they spread out on so
large field of action, or illustrated by 80 many
brilliant examples, as in these United Stntesf
We have only to realize them in our own history,
and in the happiness of our people, to spread the
name of Liberty over the EAsTERS WoRLD. We
have only to perpeiuate these blessings by preserv-
ing the sacred UNION of our STATES, and there is no
assignable limit to the prosperity which we may
enjoy or the glories to which we may ascend in the
scale of nations. We have already wrought mira
cles enough to astonsh the foreign tourist amid all
his preudlces and to attract the curiosity if not the
admiration, of Europe. We have displayed the
benefits Of LIBERTY and of UNION in series of
phenomena, which are almost calculated to surprise
] ourselves. What can be more remarkable, even in
the present day. than the spirit Of enterprise and Inn
provement which pervades our STATEs the schools
which they erecting; the canals which they have
executed; the than 1000 miles railway which
they have constructed in less than twenty years. the
immense bodies of land which they have redeemed
! from the wilderness; the towns which they have
strewn over the West; the multiplication of our peo-
pie from three to twenty millions of souls; the aug
mentaton of the number ofour STATES from thirteen
| to twenty-nue, including the three new States OF
Florida, Iowa, and Texas, which, we write, we
hope are now probably starting into existence'
Westward the course of empire takes its way;
! The four first acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day,
Times noblest offspring is the last"
1t is principally the influence of the free institu-
4 tons we possess, and which were never dreamed of
more than a hundred years by the philosophic au-
| thor of these beautiful lines, that has wrought so
many achievements here. Liberty exctes man to
think for himself, to cast off Anticipated prejudces,
| and TO start in new career of improvement. II
opens, besides, in this new country, as 1t We're,
| new asylum to the oppressed of all nations, which,
/ in despite Of the "Native American" prejudices of
the day, still continues to invite other people to cu-
tvate lands, and contribute to our progress II
is free institutions, than any other cause,
which are drawing ''the of empire" to the
i WESTERN WoRLD.
| We live, too, in an extraordinary age. Improve
ment seems to be the order of the day. Science is
shooting forth in all directions. Art is obtaining
the most brilliant triumphs over NATURE. The age
is advancing with the impetuosy of s,ean1 to which
it is SO much indebted for its progress. Commerce
is expanding her wings under the impulse of new
and stronger principle. There seems, indeed, to be
no limit to the progress Of discovery; and it is in
i the midst of such age, and at the metropolis OF
this great country, that about to erect our
tent, for the responsible purpose of maintaining the
true principles OF our institutions. We almost
shrink back FROM the enterprise We have underta-
ken. But at least bring to the task spirit that
is devoted to LIBERTY, TO UNION, and to our CouN-
4 TRY; heart that Is proud Of the name of AMERi-
CAN; some little experience in our business; zeal
that nothing subdue and an industry that fears
no labor. With these feelings, we come to throw
ourselves upon the liberaty of our countrymen.
We trust that shall receive, if we deserve, their
support. If we fail in enterprise which might
almost appa the stouest spirit, they will at least be
liberal enough to ascribe it to the want of power,
and not of wilto the head that guides us, and not
4 10 the heart that impels us.
! OF one thing we may confidently assure the pub
lic-we approach the task with the deepest reyer-
for the true theory of our political institutions.
Our confederated REPUBLIC is making new and
bold experiment in the SCIENCE of GOVERNMENT.
i When look TO the original form of the constitu-
tion are indeed struck with Its novelty and beau
ty. We see in IT an attempt TO ascertain how far
over can be so distributed between two GOVERN
mENTs as to prevent an excessive concentration, and
consequent abuse of it, in the federal arm; at the
same time that much polcer conveyed to each,
as to enable them to accomplish the objects to which
I each of them was best adapted.
\ The FEDERAL government was principally to watch
over our foreign relations; that of the States was
particularly to take of our internal concerns.
The federal government should have adequate
powers to maintain the peace and the rights of the
Union abroad; but at home, its Office is to assist in
binding the Union together, by the benefits which
it showers around it, within certain prescribed Inn
its--leaving the great mass of local matters to the
jurisdiction of the STATES, which better under
stand and more properly regulate them. Keeping
this general distinction in view the constitution has
marked down The limits Of the federal power, and il
should be the duty of its authorities regiously TO
preserve them. Dissolution on the one hand, and
consolidation on the other, being the extremes which
are to be carefully avoided, the constitution
framed, and the government should be so admins
tered as whilst the federal power exercises its le-
gitimate functions, it should sacredly respect the
RIGHTS of the States and the rights of the people
The federal government must, therefore, ever re-
member, that it has only certain limited powers,
4 which are either specified in the constitution itself
or which may be Unnecessary and proper for carry
ing out the specified powers II cannot pass these
! limits with impunity. II cannot interpoate any
powers by forced Fictitious constructions with
out producing some opposition from the parties to
Il tne compact, or some remonsuaucc ITSm me PeoPie
i 1t would never do, indeed, to give unlimited
power to the federal head, the local interests
of the several parts Our country covers an extern
sive empire 1t embraces great variety Of climates
and soils, ofoccupations and Of interests. The OBJ
vious danger of too much federal legislation is, ol
course, that it may affect these different interests IN
very unequal degree. Whilst it seeks TO admins
ter benefits 10 one section, it may impose burdens
4 upon another. Nor does the mischief terminate
here. Inequality produces complaint. The suffer
ing States become dissatisfied. One section not only
murmurs about the Partially shown to another but
i against the government which commits it. The
Union itself less respected because Of the injustice
which it displays. The only way Of preventing
these injuries and these complaints is, to administer
the government within the limitations Of the instru
ment, and in spirit which is calculated to equaize
as far as possible, its benefits and its burdens
amongst the whole UNION. In no other way can
We prevent the federal government from rushing
Il into schemes of consolidation the Suites into