The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-03-14
Cnicnisi Tendencies.

PioPHClS vi ClOdhlLB 1OTLn most OOlett1
notes as to the permanency of the Union, two
measures have been quietly passed by the late Con
gress having the most decided tendencies toward.
Capitalization and consolidation We refer to the
bills for the establishment of a Home Department
OF the United States and that providing for the
manner in which the census of 1850 shall be taken
Fifty years ago, either of these bills would have
reused the most powerful passions and excited the
most violent opposition. Now they have passed
silently and almost without attracting the notice
| of any save those who have erected themselves
into the peculiar advocates of States Rights and
whose feelings towards the Federal Government
have the morbid sensibility that springs from toe
much reflection on one all-engrossng subject
The project of Home Secretary of State was one
of Alexander Hamilton's favorte schemes but his
transcendent talents, aided by the friendship of
washington, were not competent to the task of
persuading the people of the different States that
such Cabinet officer was demanded by their
necessities. The act for taking the census of 1850
shows the same tendency towards uDionism which
is indicated by the institution of Home Depart
ment. 1t does not confine ITSELF to the limits of
former census acts but launches out into general
measures for collecting statistics in regard to the
whole internal commerce of the nation. The
intended object of taxing the census was, in the
beginning, merely to arrive at a correct statement
of the whole number of inhabitants and this was
necessary in order to fix the basis of representation
in Congress. The act just passed, however, en-
JOINS 1t on the commissioners to inquire as to the
property revenue and resources of every nhabitant
OF the United States. 1t is clear that Government
ought never to make such inquiries unless intends
to use, In some manner the facts elected and it is
no less evident that facts which the new census
law aims at reaching, can only be made useful for
the purposes OF direct taxation or of regulating the
internal commerce of the country. Such measures
as these latter are necessarily consolidating they
make each citizen feel more palpably the hand of
the General Government
lie who would learn the tendencies of his time
must look more at the silent changes slowly and
gradually going on than at noisy and turbulent
revolutions which are only the external manifesto
tons of prior change in public opinion. If any
one desires to know whether the United States are
advancing towards more complete union of in
terests and feelings than they had in the earlier
days OF the Republic, he must listen not to the load
declarations of aarmists who often pirate merely to
produce sensation, but to the deep and solemn
expressions of popular will given in habits, in
elections, and in the acts of Congress, when ap-
proved by the voice of the nation During the late
session of Congress several measures were dis
cussed, highly exciting in their natur, and dan.
gerously disturbing in the passions they aroused.
Members were in the constant habit of declaring
that the Union was in danger-that we were on
the eve OF dlssolutlon-and that the only possible
escape for the country was in more moderate coun-
sells and more temperate legislation. Yet these
very men have beled their declarations by passing
two acts which are at the same time signs that the
Union Is more perfect.than ever, and bands fasten-
ing together more firmly than before States that
claim to be sovereign and independent Such is
the difference between theory and practce-princi-
pie and Professionalism and specializing.
The great danger in talking 80 much about dis.
union is that superficial observers may be led to
believe that there is really some meaning in 90
many words and thus feeling may be generated
which otherwise would not exist Hence such talk
is to be deprecated. But as long as Congressman
confine themselves to words on the subject, and |
lake care to embody in acts the real will and opin-
on OF the people in regard to the Union of the |
States, we shall not complain; we put our trust in
hat national good sense which is amused rather |
If any one will take the trouble to review the |
history OF the country from the formation of the |
constitution to the present time he will see that we
re becoming every day more and mole united in |
ablts, In feelings and in opinions. A congregation
States In 1857, we are in 1S49 great and pros
erous nation, sending our colonsts to the remotest
egons OF our territory, without any fear that dis
int removal will weaken the loyalty which every
american feels for the Federal Government. Re-
ognlzlng in the General Government the agent
nat protects us in some of our nearest and dearest
ghts, we cherish towards it that affection and
ratltude due from the good citizen to the good
tate. And SO long as it continues to benefit with
Ut depressing, to aid without interfering and to |
uvance our interests without demanding anv |
lcrlfice OF our rights, long will the Unionist
eling OF the nation strengthen and Increase
A thousand causes, which we could not enume.
lite in the limits of an article, have wrought TO-
ether tor strengthening and confirming the Con-
tuition of 1857. One of the most efficient means
'wever, of consolidating people is war and the
Iates have passed successfully through two con-
SITS, and have come out of both with their national
mpathies stronger and more powerful Nothing
uhltes individuals or communities as common /
myers and common trumphs. The Mexican |
ar, 1t is said by some. has furnished the States
lth bone of contention by the acquisition of
w and extensive territory. These gentlemen
rget that the war also made us more united and |
we us greater power of endurance in the party
arres and sectional struggles to which ali ma
ms are liable, and to which a free people are
culiarly exposed We do not know but that the
ONE Department may owe its existence to the
exican war.
GENERALS TAYLOR AND SCoTT-It is said that !
en- Taylor has written to Gen. Scott, inviting |
IN 10 return to Washington and make that his !
,adquarters.
VIRGINIA NoMINATIoNs.-TheD Democratic Con- |
htlon at Richmond have nominated ]. A. Leddon
congress from that district. M. S. C,ran,b.m I
BerkleY county has haax, = /