The daily union., 1846-10-27


that the very trainers did not recoli from n with ab-
honenee; system equivalent in laying direct tax
TO assessing on one mans farm worth only one thou
sand much that Of another worth three thou-
sand, dollars.
Perhaps, however, such legislators are not un-
like those whom the great Chatham had IN his eye
when he said he was apt to distrus the refnements
of learning because he had the ablesi and the
most learned men equally liable 10 deceive themselves
and to mslead other; that therefore, there was one
plain maxim to which he invariably adhered
through life: that in every question m which ms lib
eTty or his property concerned, he would con-
suit and be determined by the dictates Of common
sense; that the condition Of human nature would be
lamenlabe indeed, if nothing less than the greatest
learning and talents, which fall TO the share OF 30
small number Of men, were sufficient TO direct our
judgment and our conduct; that Providence had Ia
ken better of happiness and given us In the
simplicity of common ssnsea rule for our direction
by which we shall never be mlsled
The adoption Of this rule compels US to repudiate
the doctrine, however learned It's advocates, that by
solemn enactment, uniform, continued, and penna'
nent injustice deliberate fraud-fraud intended 10
be nseparable from specific and minimum duties
shall be embraced, and protected, and sanetiied,
rather than RISK be incurred by the possibility OF
occasional wrong through evasion Of the true value.
Ii mistaken, we should no longer blame the physi-
clan who devotes his attention TO a scratch on the
finger bruise on the toe when cancer is threat.
CHING TIC Ot Inc Hdlutc tOi aH
greatness being, as we told, not TO be exact,
great trade will be always attended with consdera'
bic abuses Peccadoes will Of course take place,
But, nevertheless, the wisest statesmen inform us
that such precautions ought not TO be employed IN
their cure would interfere with the cause OF our
prosperity; for, otherwise, we fall into the error OF
those who look somewhat less than is just towards
the immense advantages of fair trade, and regard
with something Of too exquisite jealousy the oeca-
sional evasions incident TO il.
But the authority Of great and venerated men,
and, at their head, Mr.. Jefferson, has been invoked
in support Of system which withers before the
rays Of reason, and the light Of experience.
Let us, then, see what Mr.. Jefferson has undeni.
ably maintained what he has said, and what he
would say, were he now on earth.
That great statesman declared that "our interest
will be to throw open the doors Of commerce, and
10 knock off all its shackles, giving perfect freedom
to all persons for the vent of whatever they may
choose to bring into our ports, and asking the same
in theirs"
Again: "ln Europe the lands either cultivated
or locked up against the cutiyator Manufacture
must therefore be resorted TO Of necessity not o.
ehoiee, to support the surplus Of their people, but
we have an immensity of land courting the industry
of the husbandman."
And again. while we have land to labor, let US
never wish to our citizens occupied at work
bench, or twirng a distaf. Carpenters, masons,
and smiths, wanting in husbandry; but for the
general operations of manufacture, let workshops
remain in Europe"
That beloved philanthropist, sage patriot, states
man, and philosopher, never, however, thought his
opinions ought TO prevail against experience, and a
change Of condition On the contrary, he maintain
ed that the fundamental law, even the wsest const-
tuition, should be periodically submitted to the peo-
pie for corrections that amendments suggested by
experience, or those change Of circumstances re-
quired, might be adopted. He considered the max
i'm, that governments are republican only in pro-
portion as they imbody the will Of their people, "
-"rHE MOTHER PRINCIPLE" Principles alone, he
thought too sacred to be touched. LAY down true
principles" (said he) sand adhere TO them nhexi-
bly," Do not be frightened into. their surrender by
the alarms OF the tlmid, the croaklngs OF wealth
against the ascendency Of the people. The true
foundation OF republican government is the equal
right of every citizen in his person and property,
and in their management. | am not AMONG those
who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are
our dependence for continued freedom.
"Some men ascribe TO the men of the preceding
age, wisdom more than human; and suppose what
they did to be beyond amendment. | knew that
age WE'LL belonged to it, and labored with il. II
deserved well of It's country. Ii very like the
present, but without the experience Of the present
and forty years ofexperence in government is worth
century of book reading and this they would say
themselves were they TO rise from the dead. | am
certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried
changes in laws and constitutions. | think mod
crate imperfections had better be borne WITH be-
cause, when once known, we accommodate ourselves
them, and find practical means Of correcting their
Ill effects. But know, also that laws and instiu
tons must go hand in hand with the progress Of the
human mind. As that becomes more developed
more enlightened; as new discoveries are made, new
truths disclosed, and ma nners and opinions change
with the change of circumstances, institutions mus
advance also, and keep pace with the times. We
might well require man to wear still the coat
rnt1h Ettnhh han hA,r
ever under the regimen of its ancestors. 1t is this
preposterous idea which deuged Europe in blood
Let us follow 10 such examples, nor weakly believe
that one generation is not as capable as another oi
taking Of ITSELF and of ordering its own affairs
Let avail ourselves of reason and experience
10 correct the crude essays of first and inexpe-
renced, although wise, virtuous, and wel-meaning
councilsn
Others may take what consolation they can, from
these opinions and principles, and this advice of the
illusrious patriot: think nothing be found in
them to justify distrusting depressing the people
nothing to sanction the lettering Of commerce; and
above a--nothing to sanctify the petting and pam.
pering of manufactures, even through the grinding
Of the poor, if indeed manufactures were the sum
mum bonum Of the United States,
And now, sir, permit us to say, as from the bot
tom Of our hearts do and with all the sincerity o
truth, all the ardor of admiration and in all the
candor of friendship, that in your infexble adher
comprehensive and expressive language of the
FATHER STATESMAN, Mr.. Jefferson you have man.
fully exhibited at once the dtfd and the lofty spir
Of freeborn Pennsylvania as well as the genuin,
patriotism of a true son of the republican Union
Allow us further to declare that in our opinion youl
fdety TO The constitution and obedience to the kno,on
toilt Of your ,ode spread constituency" deserve and
doubtless will meet, cordial and approving re-
sponse from that constituency throughout the length
and breadth Of the land. Proud of being among the
number, and as an humble portion, we beg leave tc
assure you of the hearty Acknowledgements and sin
cerest thanks Of,
With the highest consideration and esteem,
Your friends and fellow citizens,
THOMAS MORGAN,
JAMES LINN,
JOHN COOPER,
ALFRED GAIT,
F. BRADY,
JAMES McCLAsKEY,
THOMAS MILLER,
JOHN X. GRIFFITH,
ANDREW MILLS,
JAMES MCKINLEY, Jr.,
FL. w. BRYSON,
MATTHEW GRIFFIN