The State guard., 1848-06-20


 the fundamental principles of our govern- mcnt, and opposed tn us in their practical application, which will strive as zealously as we shall, to secure the ascendency ot thcir principles, by securing the election of their candidate in the coming contest. That pariyi composed of our lelIow-ciii- zcns, as deeply interested in the prosperi- fly of our common country as we can be, and seeking as earnestly as we are to pro- mote and perpetuate it. We shall soon present to the world the sublime spectacle of the election of Chief Magistrate by twenty millions of people, without sin gle serious resistance to the laws, or the sacrifice of the life of one human being and this, too, in the absence of all force but the moral force of our institutions, and if we should add to all this, an exam- pie of mutual respect for the motives of the contcnding parties, so that the contest mi ght be carried on with that firmness and energy which accompany deep con yiciion, and with as little personal asperi- ty as political division permit VIC should do more for the great cause ol human freedom throughout the world than by any other tribute we could render to its value.
 We have a government founded by tho will of all, responsible to the power of all and administered for the good ofall. Tho very first article in the democratic creed teaches that tho people aTc competent to govern themselves: it is indeed, rather an axiom than an article of faith. From the days of Gen. Hamilton to our days, the party opposed to us--of whose principles he was the great exponent, if not tho lounder--whiic it has changed its name, has preserved essentially its identity of character; and the doubt ho entertained and taught of the capacity of man for selfgovernment, has excited Il naked in i fluence upon it's action and opnons.- Here is very starting point of inc diff ference between the two great parties which divided our country. All ether diff ierences are but subordinate and auxiliary 10 this, and may in fact, be resolved into it.
 Looking with doubt upon the issue ol self-goyernment, ono party is prone to think inc public authority should be j strengthening, and to fear any change, least that change might weaken the neces- : sary force of the government; while the other, strong in is convictions of the in- tcliigencc and virtue of people believes that original power is safer than delega, ted, and that the so,u;iou of the great problem of good government consists ir governing with the least iorde, and leaving individual action as free restraint as is compatible with the preservation of the :. social system. thereby securing to eacf all the freedom which is not essential tC the well.being of the whole. H As party, VIC ought not to mistake the signs of the times; but should bear 1T mind, that this is an age of progress-o advancement in all the elements of intel lectual power, and in the opinions of the world. The general government should assume no powers. It should exercise ,, none which have not been clearly granted 1, by the parties to the federal compact We ought to construc the constitution strictly according to the received ant
 sound principles of the Jefbrson school But while rash experiments should be de : precated, if the government is stationary in its principles of action, and refnes tc accommodate its measures within its con r sttutonal sphcrc--cautiolsly indeed, bu ! wisely and cheerfully-to the advancing ' sentiments and necessities of the age, i ' will find its moral force impaired, and tho public will determined todo what the pub ? lie authority itself should readily do, whcr T the indications of popular sentiment are | , clear and clearly expressed.
 With great respect, gentlemen, I hay, :, thc honor to your obedicnt servant. ] LEWIS CASS. . Hon. A STEVENSON, President of the Dc mocratic Convention, and