Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-12-06
Friday, " or. ,.
Mr.. EDiToR

nothing new under the sun. One of your
subscribers is therefore encouraged 10 oiier
for the columns of the Daily News, few
plain remarks On some Of the duties of
State which, however obvious and trite,
may not, therefore, be the less salutary and
appropriate.
The first duty Of State, and most en-
phatically of Christian Commonwealth,
is distinct recognition Of its allegiance to
the King of Kings AMI Lords of Lords
and its great principles of action should be
universally founded on the golden and beau
tifnl rule presented and illustrated so admi-
rably in the inspired volume do unto 9TH
ers as you woulI tina, they should do unto
you. It's Legislators should ever have in
view the true happiness and glory Of their
constituents, who must be inspired, through
their acts, with a love Of peace and all lis
elevating and christian influences, and
horror of war, with its attending barbara
ties, stratagems and crimes, which 50 great
ly contributes TO lower The moral tone of
people, and teaches them TO listen even
with extraordinary de!igh, to relations Of
Ariiliant victories achieved at an infinite
sacrifice Of blood and treasure on tho field
Of strife, and Of mingled agony and exulta-
tion, in strange and awful contrast. How
wonderfully the ingenuity of man is taxed
for such ends ! How readily do christian
States rush into the most extravagant ex-
penditures in the employment Of the great
est ,alen, and science at their command for
the construction OF stupendLus floating and
stationary instruments Of destruction with
which to NOW down their fellow beings,
enemies if you please, whom they are com
manded to love. Were the pure principles
of Christianity more interviewer with our
systcms of Government, what happy dl-
version would there be of genius and talent
of science and wealth and energy, al be-
coming tributary to the mental and moral
elevation Of man. In the midst Of the evil.
which encompass ny, as Nation, we have
still much TO excite our gratitude to Him
who watched over us, from infancy 10 the
period when our extended and happy Re-
public may proudly claim station among
empires, hardly less conspicuous than that
from which she sprang and, probably, she
has not yet attained TO her full stature and
glory, if we remain united people. We
are blessed with Constitution which guar
antees the largest liberty to our citizens,
consistent with order and the security Of
those institutions which it was framed to
protect. AT the mere mention Of this great
charter OF American freedom, how many
impressive thoughts arc awakened we
remember its iustrious trainers ~ith pro-
foundes, gratitude and rejoice that there
are strong heads and honest minds in our
midst, at the most ,hreaining cpochs to de-
velope its true intent in nervous, convincing
and impressive eloquence, such even as
might well compare with the finest efforts
ola Canning, or a Brousham. How Ie.
Iigiously should all the provisions OF our
Constitution be fulfilled, 81 that every clti.
zen should rejoice constantly under lis fos-
tering care and none ever be found pnng
in want, from its violation. There IS a
provision in that instrum cnt TO this effect
,hs, no private property shall be taken for
public uses without just compensation
How sadly has the word of promise been
broken to the hope Of many in this favored
land who are lingering in penury, because
their Government utterly have failed to this
day. to act in the spirit of that just clause
in our Constitution which has been quoted.
Previously to the year 1900, the French
Government committed spoliations on our
Commerce, which they admitted repeatedly
10 our ministers should be satisfied. Oul
Government afterwards reliuqushcd them
by Treaty, for a valuable consideration anC
s,lemnly assured tho payment of them tC
their sull' ring citizens who, with sham,
and indignation be it said have never real
lied a firthng from that plcthorc Treas
ury which has hecn so much enriched a
their expense. Had their claims rcmainc,
against France irsiead Of our own Gov
erumen', they would long since havo bcci
satisfied, or, nt least, would have doubt
less been included with those under th
celebrated treaty of Mr.. Rives, durini
President Ja,ksrn's administration, III
threatened violation Of which So raised IN,
ire OF ,ha, extraordinary man. Some pro
vision was made for these claims by Con
eress, under the administration cfMr. Polk
who, b. /, said with duo Difference to th
departed statesman, most snrnIarly an
mys,erio isy affixed lis veto 70 tie biI
for their relief Examples from such hls
sources ~. contagious aud orc ,ov rcadrl