Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-08-08
FOR THE ADVERTISER.
No. VEHH.
Who is a real friend TO tie People,!

HH0 Is 7Cdt JfuH1 10 We Te0pte!
We now lay down the principle-''Sa-
ius popui Suprema ter"-Ihe welfare of
the people is The supreme oLjec. oil law.
This is the end TO be aimed al by all gov-
ernment or society. And it is to be
achieved. not by consulting the interests
of majoriGes or minoriiie,, but by looking
to the concurrins majority of all the vari
Gus interests Of society; not by laborins 10
work The greatest good to the greatsr num-
ber, but the greatest good 10 the greatest
number. TO achieve the highest possible
good for the largest possible number, yeI
causing injury TO none, is the perfection Of
human legislation. Towards This noble
object, therefore. should the efforts of the
true Statesman be directed.
1t may 5e assumed as posIulate. that
to preserve JUS, balance in soyernment,
and TO afford proper. protection 10 all the
interests Of society, i, is absolutely neces-
sary 10 lay wholesome restrictions upon the
legislative will Of The numerical majority.
This restriction is applied Theoretically in
our Federal and State governments by
Chambers and the Executive veto; but
they have not in practice proved entirely
adequate. The pnwer Of faction has, in
many instances, rendered these checks
altogether nugatory. Aud il must con-
tinuc 10 do so, unless kept unde by the
general improvement of lhc people. Ina
.o...r,y -l::.---~--, euusriruliutai guards are
nimsy and idle without strong sustaining
puwcr Of virtue and intelligence in the
people. The people here arc The fountain
of authority as well as the object Of gov
ernmcnt. They are the object Of law, but
a, the same time, they are drtecedent TO
the laws. Laws properly emanale from
Tie rrople The fountain Of laws is the
wIl Of The people How important, then.
that that wiH should be pure and exalted
|, is paramount 10 all government-to all
law. since it is The source. whence these
are derived. In the language Of an en'i-
neut statesman. 1--WE hopo tor a security
beyond The law and above the law. in the
prevalence Of an enlightened aud we'll
plincpled moral sentiment"
As the hearts of The people are the le-
climate source of power and law in our
couulry, it will follow that nearly all re-
forms are TO be made by working i'm
proyement in the moral aud political seus
limenls of The people.
Teach men the lawful extent of their
power, and the full obligation Of their
moral duties. and they will naturally be.
come moderate and forbearins. They
will claiu, less for themselves aud allow
more 10 their associates, Their thoughts
will become enlarged, and their sentiments
liberal. This is The refining power of
knowledge upon The mind; aud il is a
principle Of human nature that may be
relied on with as much certainty as the
principle of obedience, or any other quality
of the heart on which resls the exercise
aud stability Of government.
The true patriot, or frieni Of the people.
will, then, feel it his duty 10 diffuse widely
correct principles Of legislative power, Of
general rights and privileges. and just no.
lions of moral duty. lie will put forth
his efforts TO establish universally lhe sway
of right, ard to temper or smooth down
tho asperitics of public opinion, which so
often evcile discnrd aud turbulence in free
communities. 70 effect these desirable
ends is greatly in the power of the mode
rate and intelligent portion Of every socie-
~. If they choose, these men, can 10
great extent check The growth of vulgar
prejudice and of extravagant exaclions in
The popular mind. BY prudent and disni'
fled department. their influence must al
ways be favorably aud seriously felt. fn-
tellectuul power and moral wsrth, judi
ciously used, seldom fail to have lIeir
happy effect. As patriots, and good citi-
zcns, therefore, these men are bound to
exert their energies in behalf of order and
right against prejudice and wrong. The
duty they owe 10 their posterity, TO their
country. and TO their God urges them TO il.
II il mun can exert beneficial influence,
when his country demands it. and fails TO
do so-whal is his fault? A crime TO-
wards his (ellow-man and a sin against
his God
But our standard exac,s of the true friend
Of the people higher and much more
difficult duty. 1t obiges him frequently
10 break oil, from his party, in order 10 do
what his judgment tells him is best for his
country. 1T demands more. It requires
him TO strive to modify and control the
rash and inexpedieut movements of bis
own party, or The impeluous frowardness
Of dominant majoriies. Difficult as the
task may be, i, requires him 10 sustain his
Webster Speeches.