The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-07-16
NO. XVI.

dues. The laborers may bend over his grave
with aileciionate sorrow; for never, in the tide
OF time, did statesman exist more heartily re-
solved 10 protect them in their rights, and 10 adj
vance their happiness. For their benefit he op-
posed partial legislation; for their benefit, he re-
sisted all artificial methods of controlling labor,
and subJectIng it 10 capital. Ii was for their be-
neft that he loved freedom in all IFS foms--free-
dom OF the individual in personal independence,
freedom OF the States as separate sovereignties.
lie never would llSento counsels which tended
10 the centralizaton of power. The true Amer
lean system presupposes the diffusion of freedom
organized life in all the parts Of the American
body polite, as there is organized life in every
part OF the human system. Jackson was deaf to
every counsel which sought to subject general
labor TO a central will. His vndcation of the
Just principles of the constitution derived its SUBJ
Unity from his deep conviction that this strict
construction is required by the lasting welfare of
the great laborng classes of the U. Staics
To this end, Jackson revived the tribunicial
power of the veto, and exerted it against the de-
cisive action of both branches of Congress.
against the votes, the wishes, the entreates of
personal and political friends. "Show me-" was
his reply TO them, "show me an express clause
in the constitution authorizing Congress to take
the business of State legislatures out of their
hands" "You will ruin us all,' cried firm
partisan friend, "you will ruin your party and
your own prospects," providence" answered
Jackson, ''wli take care of me, ," and he perseve-
red.
In proceeding TO discharge the debt Of the
United States-a measure thoroughly American
Jackson followed the example of his prede-
cessoIs; but he followed it with the full consci-
BUSINESS that he was rescuing the country from
the artificial system of finance which had pre-
vailed throughout the world; and with him it
formed part Of system by which American le-
gslation was to separate itself more and more
efectually from European precedents, and de-
velop itself more and more. according to the Vi
tai principles of our political existence.
The discharge Of the debt brought with it, of
necessity, great reduction of the public bur-
dens, and brought, of necessity, into view, the
question, how far America should follow, of
choice, the old restrictive system of high duties,
under which Europe had oppressed America; or
how far she should rely on her own freedom and
enterprise and power, defying the competi-
ton, and seeking the markets, and receiving the
products of the world
The mind Of Jackson on this subject reasoned
the system of revenue by excessive imposts, he
saw evils which the public mind would remedy;
and, inclning with the whole might of his ener-
getic nature to the side of revenue duties, he
made his earnest but tranquil appeal 10 the iudg-
ment of the people.
The portions Of country that suffered most Sc
verely from a system of Legislation, which, in its
extreme character as it then existed, is now uni
JoJc tn bc,,
unjust, were less tranquil; and rallying on the
doctrines of freedom, which made our govern
ment limited one, they saw in the oppressive
acts an assumption of power which was nugatory,
because it was exercised, as they held, without
authority from the people.
The contest that ensued was the most momen-
tous in our annals. The greatest minds of Ame-
RIGA engaged in the discussion. Eloquence ne
yer achieved sublmer triumphs in the American
senate than on those occasions. The country
became deeply divided; and the antagonist ele-
ments we're arrayed against each other under
forms of clashing authority menacing civil war;
the freedom of the several States was invoked
againstthe power of the United States; and un-
der the organization ofa State in convention,the
reserved rights of the people were summoned to
display their energy, and balance the authority
and neutralize the legislation of the central 60
vernment. The States we're agitated with pro-
longed excitement; the friends of freedom
Throughout the world looked on with divided
sympathies, praying that the union ofthe States
might be perpetual, and also that the commerce
ofthe world might be free.
Fortunately for the country, and fortunately
for mankind, Andrew Jackson was at the helm
of State, the representative Of the principles that
were TO aay excitement, and 10 restore the
hopes of peace and freedom. BY nature, by i'm
pulse, by education, by conviction, a friend Of
personal freedom-by education, political sym
pathes, and the fixed habit Of his mind, friend
TO the rights of the States--unwing that the
liberty of the States should be trampled under
foot unwilling that the constitution should lose
its vigor or be impaired, he rallied for the consti-
tution and in its name Ire published to the world
"THc Union: IL must be preserved" The words
were spell to hush evil passions, and TO remove
oppression. Under his guiding influence, the ia
vored interests, which had struggled to perpetu-
atc unjust legislation, yielded TO the voice of
moderation and reform; and every mind that had
for moment contemplated rupture Of The
States, discarded it forever. The whole infu-
ence of the past was invoked in favor Of the con.
stitution; from the council chambers oft faith
ers who moulded our institutions from the hall
where American independence was declared, the
clear, loud cry was uttered--"tbe Union: It must
be preserved" From every battlefield Of the
revolution-from Lexington and Bunker Hill
from Saratoga and Yorklown-from the fields Of
Eutaw- from The cane brakes that sheltered the
men of Marion--the repeated, long-prolonged
echoes came up-"the Union: II must be pre-
served" From every valley in our land--from
every cabin on the pleasant mountain sides--from
the ships at our wharves--from the tents Of the
hunter in our westemmost prairies--from the IL
wing minds of the living millions Of American
freemen--from the thckIy coming glories of flu