Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-10-06
THE ELECTION.


There is no point Of view from which we
may regard the pending Presidential election,
that we are not struck with its Importance
For the first time in the history Of our coun-
try, a mere soldier is attempted TO be invested
with the highest of IFS civil Offices. man
bred in camps nurtured in war, arith spurs and
sabre on, is offered for the sufragcs OF free
people. The calm and intelligent locker on
is naturally led to inqure-What are his quail
Ifcatons? What are his opinions! What
his scheme of policy? Turning aside from
mere party appeals, we address ourselves this
week 10 that large and influential class who,
standing aloof from mere party associations,
are sill lovers of their country and its instlu-
tons, and are well disposed 10 its interests and
prosperity. 1t cannot be denied that our whole
grandeur and stability rests upon our constltu
ton and the institutions which ii recognizes
or has created. "These are they which con-
stitute State" The mere soil-the bricks
and mortar, do not originate that sacred attach
ment and veneration with which we are &C
customed to invest our country. Let us look |
into this matter.
The great point of difference between our
government and that of other countries lies III
this That ours is presumed to be sanctioned
by the popular wishes, and 10 be the reflection
of the popular will Government with us Is
mere business agency. We tolerate no more
the doctrine of infallibiIhy than that OF divine
right. Our system is definite, fixed, well
known, and ascertained. We trust nothing 10
accident. We place no unlimited confidence
in public virtue, however stainless or unim-
peachabie. We are Jealous because we are
free, and we know that when vigilance ceas-
es liberty is lost
The government of the United States, though
ultimately dependant upon the people for its
stability and permanent establishment, is yet
independent in the appointed sphere in which
Il moves, and particularly so IN the discharge
OF It's ordinary duties. The people are the
sovereigns only in matters of principle, but
the government is The true sovereign in mat.
tiers Of detail. The very notion of government
governors and the governed. The distinctions
between these-distinctions essential TO the
we'll being of State-are dissolved, annulIed,
when they are confounded. We live in 4 re-
preventative Republic, and not in pure De
mocracy. When we say, therefore, that oul
system is the mere reflection OF the popular
will, we do not wish 10 be understood that i
is that will in any and every shape which i
may assume Such notion would soon bring
us 10 anarchy, but 10 that will as embodied
and expressed in the constitution.
But the infrmity of human language has
here interposed an obstacle. Constitutions
are necessarily conceived in general terms
Like all other merely human instruments, it il
capable OF various interpretations, and the in
terests which it is intended to reconcile ant
concliate, often lead the minds of their par
tcular adherents 10 widely varying views o
public policy. If the ultra protectonists o
the North were TO attain the ascendant, no on,
will venture to predict the extent 10 which
under, it may be perfectly honest convictions
measures OF prohibition and monopoly, seri
ously and Immediately affecting the Interests
OF their sections, might not be carried and
the ultra free trade men OF the South were #
acquire the same pre-emiEence, there is NJ
doubt that their course would be equally inju
rious. Our system has been justly regarde
as essentially concessive-co Mel
OF ali parties will admit the necessity of al
ministering public affairs with view to re
Cancellation between all the great interests o
the country.
1t follows from these remarks that the opil
ions of the individuals who are to administe
public affairs, is matter of very great conse
quence, and that they should be frankly an
openly avowed, 1hatthe people, by whom the
are to be invested with the trust of sovereign
", may be enabled TO Judge whether the
complexion and character conform 10 the <truc
ture of the government they administer. Hes
Andrew Jackson -
Al say again. feow.ctizens, remember the ia
of ancient Rome, and vote for no candidate wi
will not tell YOU, with the frankness of all ind
pendent freeman, the principles upon which, if
IeCteu' lie VIII duHl"tSLeT your SONeiHHleut'
That man deserves to he SLAVE who won
vote for a NUM CANDIDATE, where his liberty is
stake. Can freeman who values his rights vC
for such a man, whO when his opinions are ask
for, insults you with the reply = l will answer
questions coming either from friend or foe 2:
answer ron YoU, that none worthy to be free C
dose"
The objection to Gen. Zachary Taylor
/ fherafore that he has to use his own eynre
sive words, " laid it dozen as principle, y
to giae his opinions upon the vGrious questio
ofpolicynouO at issue betUeen the political pa
| ties Of the country And the objection appl
with equal force TO Millard Fillmore, who
recently made use of the same language.
0-Eppes, the murderer of Mr. Muir,