The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-14
political.
From the ". Y. Neios.
nm. untan.


The recent threats which have assaled our poiiti-
cal ark have called forth an expression oil attach-
ment and devotion TO the Union, which seems 30
deep seated and permanent in the hearts VI uie
American people, that we can sed h ayat;iying de-
occasion which has given rise to the guauiyins 9o
monstration. The idea OF destroying WIS So1uo
racy partakes 80 much either OF OF inpechty,
that we are at a loss TO comprehend now ~ can DC
entertained by mind pretending 10 lntelngence or
natr;otism Never were human institutions better
adapted TO the enjoyment Of clvii nberty, ana soca
hardness and the Development OF the noblest attri
butes of nature in the periectlon OF cHiiIauon
Never was n system SO admirably devised to COM
prehend under one system Of government such a
Variety of interests such extensive territories, and
SO numerous apopulation-uniting IN one perfect
Poy great family O. republics eae ,Ss ethsra
We'll may it be called the chef d'0urre OF human
wisdom! 1t is more-it is the working out OF d.
vine purposes for the happiness OF mankind, we
solemnly believe. Nature seems 10 have marked
this continent for the existence of mighty empire,
as the abode of great, free, and happy people!
Immense as its proportions are, there is some
thing in its geographical construction eminent
ly favorable to this idea. variety oil cline,
and soil adapted to the production OF every COM
modify necessary to the wants of man-an ocean
boundary on either side, with numerous ine har,
bors affording every facility for commerce. as wen
rs seats for the manufactures, the production OF
which, together with those OF agriculture are porhe
by our ships every part Of the world; from nortn
TO south, on either side of the continent, extend
mr.
varying the climate, while between them they en-
close mighty valley, the fertility OF which makes
il the garden spot of the world-the granary OF
the nations! And lest 1t, should be cursed Win
sterility as its soils grow arid with cultivation,
and the mountain barriers check the ocean exhala-
tons which should water it, there are dug out inn
mensc lakes in the north, whose vapors furnish It
with fcrtizing rains, while to facilitate the inter-
course and trade of its inhabitants, from north to
south there stretches mighty river, the Thousand
tributaries of which bear upon their waters the
freighted wealth of people whose industry and
enterprise vast as the realm they occupy, ana
who need but wise and just government to make
them the greatest nation over whose domains God 3
glorious ever flung his golden rays! Such
government the wisdom, the almost inspired Wis
dom, Of patriotic ancestors has provided Tor us
in the form of our present Confectionery
A consolidated government would have been a
failure; for it could have harmonized by its sim
gle action the interests, provided adequately for
the necessities of the different communities spread
out over such widely extended regions; but the sub
division of Legislative authority adapts municipal
law to the various wants and exigences OF different
sections with minute carc-thus securing more per-
feet freedom the whole, while it strengthens ra-
Their than impairs the power Of the national gov
ernment, the form and policy of which Is eminent
ly calculated to the interests and prosperity
of the sovereign States which form it; perpetuating
republican principles among them. Without such
system, we could not hope for other than difficult
ties and discussions this continent, such as have
retarded long the advancement OF civil liberty in
would keep Us forever in turmoil and warfare.
Without it, that progress which has peopled this
vast domain, which has extended civilization and
the arts widely, and given the blessings OF civil
and religious freedom ~ so many millions OF hui
man beings, would have faltered through centuries
ere il accomplished 1.-THE of what II has now done
But if the establishment of independent States on
this continent, without the bond OF union which
blends them so tremendously in one perfect system,
is TO be contemplated only with doubt and distrust
TO the result upon the destinies OF the people in
habiting il; what should we look for now in dis
unions With all those mad iealousies and fierce
sectional prejudices infiamed which had led to the
melancholy catastrophe, what could we expect but
civil discord, contention, and bloodshed? war
that would drench our land in fraternal gore, and
bury beneath the ruins of American Rcpubicanism,
for long centuries, the hopes of human freedom
From the contemplation OF the dread possibilities
which such disastrous event would involve, the
mind turns with horror, and refuses TO entertain
melancholy idea. No the Union must not,
SHALL NOT be dissolved The PEo-
Of this country will never permit the consum-
nation Of such treachery TO the hopes OF mankind.
The great West, whose interests are one and indi-
visible, will oppose il with potential voice; the peo
pie Of the South will repudiate the acts of their rep
resentatives when they dare 10 attempt il; and the
sober citizens Of the North will disavow the incen
diary acts Of political hnaticsm which would urge
them 20 the madness We should look upon the
withdrawal Of any portion Of the southern repre-
sentatives from Congress, has been threatened,
with regret aud sorrow, for their own sakes, well
az that Of harmony, which should be cherished in
the republic; but II would not impair ourfaith in
the integrity Of the Union. Their places night or
might not be filed by their constituents for space;
but the firm and considerate action Of the General
Government would soon repair the breach, and
cause the laws 10 be respected; while IL would give
occasion for the voice Of reason and moderation
ever most powerful in a country like ours-to be
heard in favor Of that Union, under which, far
human imperfections will permit, the millions who
are inhabit this continent destined 10 enjoy
POLITICAL