The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-13

dignity and strength Of the whole, thu
prosperity and happiness Of the individual
members of the compact.
We have said enough to indicate oul
views of the constitutional powers and thu
foreign policy of the Government. In re-
gard to the domestic policy of the country.
little else need be said than what may be
inferred from our Prospectus. The legis
lation of the General Government should
be shaped to the wants of the industrial
interests of the whole nation. Congress,
in our judgment, should be guided less by
theory than by the claims Of agriculture,
manufactures, commerce, mechanic arts,
and mining, to the fostering care and en-
couragement Of the law-making power.
The measure of this encouragement should
be regulated by the requirements of these
leading interests as experience shall make
them manifest. Care should be taken that
the exact amount of protection, inciden-
tally extended to every article of domestic
manufacture and consumption, should be
known.
We not only believe that Congress has
the power to improve our great highways,
rivers, lakes, and harbors, but that the
power should be used. 1t costs less to
beautify our own than to blast neighbor-
ing country; and, whilst in the perform
ance of the one Office we strew the earth
with the seeds of goodly harvest, in the
other We raise up apples Of Sodom to tempt
and to plague ourselves.
We desire to see the Government, in
every way in which it can be done, en-
couraging the ''ennobling arts of peace. +"
Our chivalrous army and gallant navy
command as much of our respect as admi-
ration for noble deeds can inspire. We
would see these branches of the public
service maintained by country to whose
history they have each contributed large
share of glory. They are adorned by gen.
tlemen of the highest character; by scholars
OF approved science, and by patriots who
have illustrated their love of country by
sacrifices in her cause. But whilst we
would not destroy these, we would yet en-
courage the "ennobling arts of peace"
Indeed, we regard our mission as one of
peace-peace with foreign powers, and
peace at home. We reject that construc-
ton of the Constitution, and the policy
based upon 1t, which recognises in the
General Government almost unlimited
power in dealing with foreign States
which admits its right to exercise chart
table spirit towards strangers-but denies
our own people any claim to have their
wants considered by their own Govern
ment, and even grudges them the Incl
dental advantages which flow from enact
ments having any other object in view
than the protection of their interests.
II might seem that this cold and heart
less system was brought forward to weaken
the ties of the Union by accustoming the
masses to expect nothing warm, generous,
or even just from their Government.
Whilst we would not see the Government
forget its hberality in its foreign business,
We would have our own people feel the
succor and support of wise, liberal, and
encouraging domestic policy. The great
thoroughfares Of the country, our majestic
rivers, and superb lakes, should be made
safe for the people and the produce con-
tinuslly afoat upon them. By multiplying
and improving the means of interchanging
the products of labor, and thus stimulating
intercourse between the citizens, of distant
sections Of the Union, the wealth of the
country is increased by processes which
pluck out the hatred which bad men have
contrived to SOW amongst our people.
The love of the Union will grow stronger
as the North and the South are brought
closer together the citizens of the several
States will think better of one another as
they come to know each other better !;
and with the animosities which dema-
gogues have engendered for evil purposes
will pass away the importance of mischief
mongers and the vocation of disunionists.
Il will be our constant endeavor to heal the
feuds which have sprung out Of the con-
sideration Of sectional questions, or national
ones in sectional spirit. We would not
give one hour of hearty good will between
the North and the South for all Mexico.
We hold the. restoration of good under