The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-02

governments; whilst on the other many favoring cir
cumstances concurred in forming public opinion suii
centfy sound and enlightened to direct government
safely. Nor was this all they fortunately
sir, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in different communities
aIated not m race feeling but according TO physical
differences, whehm degree gave local tmge 10 pub
he sentiment. They came together separate communl-
ties and upon conditions which enabled each State TO de-
veop MS peculiar genius and placed them under common
bonds only Tor The common defence and the Tree inter
change OF rade and intercourse with each other volun
tay association OF republics thus formed IN which,
by skliul distribution of duties and wise classification
OF interests, the whole subject OF government placed
within the reach OF popular control The sense OF the
people was taken by parts IN matters affecting only the
parts and their action became common only where the
interests were general This form OF the federal pm
cple presented for the first time in his history,
rational hope OF solving practically the great problem OF
accumuahng social power in large masses without pre-
ludlce to individual freedom The capacity OF despotlc
governments for extensive dominion has been many
tunes aesed but their experience seemed TO prove that
individual liberty was the price TO be paid for IT. For
the hrst time IN the annals OF man. rational prospect tor
empire was opened 10 the democratic principle in It's
progress, through the voluntary association OF free
republics, whose strongest cohesive bond consisted in
the common sympathes and sentiments OF common
race AS II nothing should be wanted Tor future de-
yelopmenl, unoccuped territory lay before them, bound
less It would have seemed las wish could CLAIM"
To convert this wilderness to the uses OF civilized man,
settle 1t with homogeneous and iaternal people, to
cultivate sound and enlightened public opinion and
institute government which should depend upon and
reflect H. were the great aims OF our fathers 1t Is PLAIN
that they believed that the interests and tastes of our
people would lead to peace; and upon this supposlton
founded the hope OF accomplishing such destiny The
government was organized with strength for defence but
there not feature in it which fits 1t for conquests
and aggressive war. No extensive of this charac
ter could be carried on for ten years. without destroying
the balances OF our government and changing the dis
trlbution OF power amongst its parts We strong
enough to make it the interest of others to avoid
thct with u.s. and we organized and ccumsanced
to have ourselves the deepest interest peace. 1t
can fill this vast country, which have title
from to sea- with traternal people, vlrtuous and
wise enough TO administer their own government, and
provide Tor all the wants OF highly refined cvllIZaton
shall have done more than effected BEFORE
and enough TO satisfy the Hottest aspirations of ambition
But il must be confessed that the difficulty OF the task
increases with the extent of territory and the num-
bers of our people, although of kindred and with
kindly feeling. That the dversities of sectional interest
and the relative power of the Executive increase with
the extension OF territory, is scarcely to be denied But
with the great improvements in the of intercourse
and the steady march OF popular intelligence, 1t IS per-
haps not extravagnt to hope that our race may grow to
this greatness with capacities improved by and
powers gradually developed in The discharge OF the new
duties imposed upon them by their growth. What other
people enjoyed the prospect OF attaining such power
without crime
But to reach this consummation it is essential that
tain conditions must be observed in the course of our
progress. AS empire extends, must diminish the
action OF the central the parts to avoid the
double danger OF increasing the tendencies to sectional
division and the undue growth of Executive power,
which becomes relatively greater in our system as we
multiply in numbers This cannot well be done with the
expenditures and the funding system required by frequent
wars 1t is necessary, too, that the vast country which
to occupy should be covered with homogeneous
and fraerna peopea people growing in intelligence
they increase IN powero Justify us III hoping for that
harmony of sentiment and sound and enlightened public
opinion which Indispensable to the successful admin
stron OF popular institutions. This cannot be expect
ed II alien and hostile to be suddenly incorpo
rated in body polite. Indeed, it is much,he less
sangune might say too much-to expect to accomplish
the ends which have supposed TO be within the legti-
mate range Of our hope. Still, sir, believe it may be
done, if we are true to ourselves and faithful to our
mission, We have already accomplished so much, our
past course has been wonderful and successful that
It would seem TO be not extravaganza TO entertain thus
hope for the future Experience demonstrates that the
progress of public intelligence and virtue diminshes
the range Of the necessary interference OF government
and places under the control OF public opinion and the gud
ondividua interest many subjects which heretofore
have been regulated by law If the cohesive power of
the bonds by which society is held together is daily
weakened by the extension of our population, 1t is also
daily sreng hened by improvements in the means of in
ercourse. The Introduction OF the principles OF free
and dimnishes the subjects of necessary legislation II
the extension OF people increases the difficulties OF
free government, the march OF mind develops new re-
Tor overcoming them. That there are limits to
this capacity, is not TO be denied but It'll equal believe,
to the accomplishment of the mission upon which we
sent. Can more magnificent destiny be conceived
than the realization OF such hopes TO NIL continent
of space with all the elements OF light life, and cviIiza-
ton, in their pures forms and highest comblnahon--to
wiring from The reluctant grasp OF earth the fruits winch
she Yields only human skill and industry, and to dis
cover in the boundess stores OF nature for
every or increasing want which progressive CIV
hzaion may deveop--to acquire moral influence
more extensive and enduring than any power OF the
sword, and which enforces homage, not from the lips
but the heart OF every human being who can feel the
force of benefcent example Happy ourselves, and
could we offer to Him who has endowed us with such
unparalleled advantages than the spectacle of such
power guided by the spirit of Justice and moderation and
directed to virtuous ends? But, Mr. President, great
glorious, and exciting is this picture of future
must reverse all if take the other course and launch
INTO career OF war and conquest II we expect to IN
crease from plunderng the stores OF ohersf we wish
to acquire glory from the skill with which work that
human machine called army, and to emulate the march
those who carved their way with the sword, 1t may be
well to look to the end of that road before take it.
Undoubtedly we have the power to become scourge to
others, but there is danger that we may leave our
life in the sting. There daily symptoms of growing
which | have observed with the deepest regret The
conscious vgor Of early manhood is generally ambitious
of display. But believe that there could be no Impair
ta and intelligent observer OF position and the crcum
stances which surround who would not decide that 1t
is ourselves than others whom need to conquer
We already hear OF public opinion forming Tor the alb
sorpon of the whole of Mexico, or its annexation
dependent province No such propositions have been
formally made in this body but the tone of of the
public prints, and much that has fallen from senators IN
the course OF this discussion well calculated to IN
spre apprehension in relation to the growth OF such de-
sres Sir, was glad to hear the chairman of Foreign
Relations declare that the President entertained such
idea had not supposed that he would have INDUCED
its but felt most deeply the force OF the declaration Of
the distinguished SENATOR that the OF events might
force in that direction was grahed 10 hear the
senator say that he had such purpose at presents but
the OF the argument in which he met the views
OF the able senator from Tennessee struck me om-