Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-01-24
THE UNION AND THE WEST.

"The preceding remarks have been
confined to the domestic affairs of our
own State; but as nothing that con.
Germs the Union can be alien TO us,
am unwilling to close this communca-
ton without some reference to our re.
la,ions and duties 10 the Constitution
and Government of the United States.
This seems to be made more impera.
lively my duty, by the deplorabe agi.
tations and political excitements which
have recently been but too manifest in
the proceedings of one branch of Con-
gress, and which, if they do not threa-
ten and endanger the tranquility and
integrity of the Union. have excited
solici,ude for its safety.
The Constitution Of the United
States was made by the whole people,
and no compact among men was ever
made with more deliberate solemni,y.
Inviolable respect to that highest law
of the people, in all its consequences, is
the bounden duty of all. While il con-
firms all our State Institutions, il unites
US, for national purposes. as one people,
one great Republic. 1t is in that Union
alone that we exist as Nation, and
have our bond of brotherhood. From
it, as from rich fountain, public pros
peri,y has s,reamed over our whole
land, and from the bosom Of our grea,
National Republic spiri. has gone
forth throughout the World to quicken
and raise up the oppressed; TO teach
them a new lesson of freedom, and, by
pointing to our example, show them the
way 10 self government.
The heart Of man must swell with
conscious pride at being the free cili-
zen of such republic.
Dear as Kentucky is to US, she is not
our whole country. The Union, the
whole Union, is our country: and proud
as we Justly are are Of the name Of
Kentuckian, we have loftier and more
far.famed ,iile--,hat of American Cit.
izens--a name known and respected
throughout the world, and which,
wherever we may be, has power 10 pro
tect u, from the despo,ism of Empe-
ror or King.
Asa party to the Constitution, Ken
lucky, Interchangeable, with the other
States, pledged herself to abide by and
support that Constitution and the Union
which il established. If that pledge
were her only obligation, it ought TO be
inviolable. But the seal of Washing.
ton stamped upon 1.-THE thousand
glorious recollections associated with
its origin-the blessings it has CONFER,
ed-the grander. hopes it now inspires,
have day by day, increased our attach
ment, until the mere sense of plighted
faith and allegiance, is lost I'M proud,
grateful and affectionate devotion.
l can entertain no apprehension for
the fate of such Union.
The approach Of any danger to il,
would be the signal for rallying to its
defence-,he first moment Of its peril
would be the moment of its rescue.
persuade myself that there will be found
in Congress, on the exciting subject
which has given rise to the late agita.
ton and alarm, a wise forbearonce, and
,oise patience, that will secure US from
danger; and that the very men who, in
the heat Of contention of debate, have
spoken most boldly the language of de-
fance and menace TO the Union, will
not be hindmost in making sacrifices
for its preservation.
The Union has further security, in the
parental care and guardianship of its
present ilus,rious Chief Magistrate; and
far above all other securities, it has the
all-powerful public opinion and affec-
tons of the people.
To Kentucky and the other Western
States in the Valley of the Mississippi,
the Union is indispensable TO their com.
mercial interests. They occupy the
most fertile region in the world, elo-
quen,ly described by celebrated for
eigner as "the most magnificent abode
that the Almighty ever prepared as a
dwelling place for man." These States
already populous and productive, are
rapidly increasing, and in no long time
must become the most nopuloua and