The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-05
PROSPECTUS
For publishing at Washington newspaper,
to be called
THE UNION.''
PROSPECTUS
TO THE PUBLIC.

Having purchased from Messrs Blair and Rive
the whole establishment of the "Gobe, . we propos
publishing at Washington paper, to be style,
1.-THE UNION.n
We approach the task before US with a deep ser
of the responsibility which we are about to assume
and not without much diffidence of our qualifca
tons. We have some acquaintance indeed, will
the duties Of an editor of newspaper but it wa.
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 inordinat
vanity in saying that upon the success of our inst
tutions depends, in great degree, the destiny o.
the Oldest countries Of Europe. A distant postery
has deep interest in our fate. The blessings 81
liberty are essential 10 the prosperity of the whole
human race; and where are they spread out on SC
| large held Of action, or illustrated by SO many
brilliant examples, as In these United States, n
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 EASTERN WoRID. We
have only to perpetuate these blessings by preserv-
ing the sacred UNION Of our STATES and there is no
assgnable limit to the prosperity which we may
enjoy, or the glories which we may ascend in the
scale of nations. We have already wrought mira
ces enough to asonish 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 i'm
provement which pervades our STATES the schools
which they are erecting; the canals which thew have
executed; the more than 1000 miles of 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 thew have
West t.nI,c ,f.
pie from three to twenty millions Of souls; the aug
mentation OF the number ofour STATES from thirteen
to twenty-nine, including the three new States of
Florida Iowa, and Texas, which, as we write, we
hope are now probably starting into existence
Westward the course of empire takes its way;
The four first acts already past,
fifth shallclose the drama with the day,
Times noblest offspring is the last"
1t is principally the influence of the free insttu-
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 excites man to
think for himself to cast off antiquated preiudices
and to start in a new career of improvement. 1t
opens, besides, in this new country, as it were,
new asylum to the oppressed Of all nations, which
in despite of the "Native American" preudices Of
the day, still continues to invite other people to cul-
tivate our lands, ami contribute to progress. II
is our free institutions, than any other cause
which are drawing ''the course of empire" to the
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 impetuosty of steam to which
i 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
the midst of such an age, and at the metropolis of
this great country, that we 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 we at least bring to the task spirit that
is devoted to LIBERTY, to UNION, and to our CouN-
try; heart that Is proud of the name of AMERI-
CAN; some little experience in our business; a zeal
that nothing can subdue, and industry that fears
no labor. With these feelings, we come to throw
ourselves upon the berality of our countrymen.
We trust that shall receive, if we deserve their
support. If we fail in an enterprise which might
almost appal the stoutest spirit they will least be
liberal enough to ascribe it to the want of power,
and not of willto the head that guides u.s. and not
to the heart that impels us.
OF one thing we may confidently assure the pub
lic--we approach the task with the deepest rever-
ence for the true theory of political Institutions
Our confederated REPUBLIC is making new and
bold experiment in the SCIENCE of GOVERNMENT.
When we look to the original form Of the constitu-
ton, we are indeed struck with Its novelty and beau
ty. We see in it an attempt to ascertain how far
lower can be 80 distributed between two GOVERN
mENTs as to prevent ercesspe concentration, and
consequent abuse of it, in the federal arm; at the
same time that so much po,cer conveyed to each
as to enable them to accomplish the objects to which
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 care of our internal concerns
The federal government should have ADEQUATE
ms he paac and he rio 30 -
Union abroad; but at home, its office is to assist in
binding the Union together, by the benefits which
1t showers around it, within certain prescribed linn
ls--leavng the great mass Of local matters to the
jurisdiction of the STATES, which can 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 was so
framed, and the government should be admins
tered, as, whilst the federal power exercises its e-
gitimate functions, it should sacredly respect the
NIGHTS of the States and the rights Of the people
The federal government must therefore, ever re-
member, that 1t has only certain limited powers,
which are either specified in the constitution ITSELF
or which may be necessary and proper" for carry
ing out the specified powers. 1t cannot pass these
limits with impunity. II cannot nterpolate any
powers by forced or fictitious construction, with
out producing some opposition from the parties to |
the compact, or some remonstrance from the people.
1t would never do indeed, to give an unlimited
power to the federal head over the local interests
Of the several parts Our country covers an extern
sive empire. II embraces great variety Of climates
and soils, Of occupations and of interests The OBJ
vious danger of too much federal legislation is, of
course, that may affect these different interests
very unequal degree. Whilst il seeks to admins
Ter benefits to one section, it may impose burdens
upon another. Nor does the mischief terminate
here, Inequality produces complaint. The suffer
ng States become dissatisfied. One section not only
nurmurs about the partially shown to another, but
against the government which commits it. The
Union itself is less respected, because of the injustice
which il displays. The only way of preventing
hese injuries and these complaints is, to administer
he government within the limitations of the nstru
nent, and in spirit which is calculated to equalize
IS far as possible, its benefits and its burdens
amongst the whole UNION. In no other way can
we prevent the federal government from rushing
nto schemes Of consolidation, or the States into
endency towards dissolution. If we permit the
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT systematically to adopt any