Saturday morning visitor., 1849-01-06

existence. l acknowledge the supremacy
of this government, in all the powers CIV
en-, or duties enjoined by the constitution,
bat will not assent 10 its implied authori-
ty for any purpose, however plausible. -
1t was well understood in the Convention
Which framed the Federal Constitution,
and by the States which originally ratiii-
ed il, that the exercise Of any authority,
other than that mentioned, would be vi
ola.ion of the letter and spirit Of the com
pact, and an unjust encroachment upon
The reserved rights of the various mem
bers Of the conleleracy. 1t may not be
improper in consideration OF recent eS ents,
10 state that one Of the parties into which
the people have been divided for fifty
Years, claims for the Federal Government,
constructive powers almost without limit
thus sweepiug within the general or CEN
trail vortex, the reserved rights of the
States and o! the people, and virtually
breaking dawn the barriers 10 usurpation
which our Fathers industriously reared for
the protection Of themselves and posteri-
ty. The consolidation Of power is tyran-
ny unchecked. To prevent such an evil,
the functions of government in this CON
federacy are ,ariously distributed, not on
ly iuio three great departments, each con-
fined within lis appropriate sphere, but
also among the various governments, Mu-
hicipaI, State une National, the limits Of
vhch are clearly defined. The progress
of reform, as manifested by popular dis.
cusson, and in the new Constitutions re-
Gently adopted by sone of our sister States,
has been iowards the creation Of new
cheeks or restraints upon Legislative au-
thoriiy, thus reserving 10 the people them
selves the direct exercise OF larger class
oi powers This is fuller development
of the wise maxim: THAT people is gov
crned best, which is governed least, =
Yet strange anomaly has just been pre-
sentefi in The success of IA great party
which announced that Congressional le-
gi>laiion should be virtually unchecked
But the otller party, in whose favor ma
jority Of The voters Of Missouri have pro-
n"nnced, have 90, erned the nation during
a greater portion OF ITS independent exis-
tence. II holds To q strict construction of
the constitution, insists upon due Oh
srr'ance, 10y each OF the departments, of
all Tie obligations resting upon il, and de-
mands that no authority shall be exerci.-
ed by any of the governments, State or
National, nor hy any of the departments
Of government, which does not clearly be-
long TO it, giving such construction to the
Federal constitution, that lis pow ers shall
be limited 10 objects national IN their cha
rseier, and the success Of ~hich should
redoundto The general welfare Of ALL
Hence it has frequently rejected system
Of measures looking TO The creation Of
paper currency, 10 the fovoring of a few
pursuits at the expense of the
many, and 10 the conerrng OF unequal
privileges upon some class or section of
Ihe contederacp. Il adheres 10 the spirit
and letter Of the Federal compact, the com
promises upon which il is based, and the
equality OF the States, and it opposes ev
nry measure of doubtful, sectional or un-
character.
In reference to the recently acquired
erri,ory purchased alike by the common
reasure and blood of us ali, feel but III
lie seliciiude whether the people of the
errilory ultimately subject Il 10 those in
'liiutions peculiar 10 the South. Yet | do
eel a deep solicitude for proper mainte-
nance of our rights, and deny lothe Gen
,ral Government any power 10 debar us
rom an equal participation in that terrific
y, or 10 impose terms on US in reference
o our property, which would not hear a.
ike upon every member Of the Union. -
At the lime of tho admission of Missouri
- q State ipio the Union, terms were
sought to be imposed on us, in reference
o this subject, which resulted in com
promise brought abo.t by Cancellation and
concession, and by which we are yet rea-
ly 10 abide; though, in its adoption, the
south guided by the same spirit which
,ronght about the compromise that result
d in the adoption of our Federal Constj-
ution, magnanimously surrendered por-
ion Of her constitutional rights.
An enlightened policy in reference 10
he administration OF our State affairs, re-
Iuires that equal and exact justice should
e observed towards all, whatever their
POLITICAL or religious sentiments; thSt the
aith of the State should be kept unfair |
ished and its credit inyiolate; that RI
id system Of economy should be praciic-
d, and public officers held 10 frequent
nd strict accountability; when evils ex-
#, there should he a remedy BY general,
alher than special laws; that the laws
hould he so framed and faithfully admin
stored as 10 secure 10 each and all the
ights belonging to them, and TO advance
be general prosperity; and sccOrdinsio