The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-04
Letter from Colonel Hitchcock.

WAsmNGToN Cry, ID. CD Oct 81, 1850.
To The Editor Of the Republic:
Sir: 1 have lately been rambling over consid-
cradle portion of southern Europe, and, like many
others who go abroad from this happy country,
have returned better American, If possible, than
when left these western shores. l saw in news
papers from time to time, while absent vague al
lusions to the great disturbing question of this
country-need l say the slavery question 3-and
with the deepest grief found at times that the in
tcerity of the Union was even threatened. After
more than years absence returned home early
this month, landing at New York, and soon heard
the question of disunion spoken of as possible and
assured that there were some individuals OF
the country actually seeking to destroy this nation;
for disunon if it could be effected, would be the
destruction of the nation, as such. Among the
dangerous doctrines i heard on my return-and
the more dangerous because making an illusory
appeal to conscience-was one, that there ls a
higher principle than the Constitution of the
United States, or "higher duty than the duty
of maintaining the Constitution. Even if this were
true it would by no means follow that there exists
now any occasion for its exercise. But deny that
there is any such higher duty which is at all in
conflict with the Constitution.
To those who appeal to this alleged higher duty
principle for political purposes, and who for that
reason are the least accessible to of duty Of
any kind, have nothing to say but to those of my
countrymen who honestly think that there is
higher duty than that of maintaining the Constitu-
ton, beg through your columns to make few
suggestions
In all human affairs, as the worlds history shows
government had almost said the worst possible
governments better than anarchy, except, in
Decd in this single point of view, that out of state
of anarchy a government of some kind, generally
an absolute government, is sure to arise and to
bring about a change of government when no
other left say ,ohen no other means are
kft-it may be necessary, it may even be duty,
To involve a country temporarily in anarchy. But
can any one be so insane as to imagine that we in
this beautiful and prosperous country in this bless
ed land, which is the hope of the oppressed all over
the worid-can any one, say, be 30 insane as to
imagine that the Government OF the United States
ia n such condition that, in order to change it, it
il necessary to plunge the country into anarchy
Yet this higher duty" sentiment, as | hear it
urged, leads directly to anarchy for ii counsels
disobedence or resistance to the proper laws of the
land As unconstitutional, without appeal TO
the Supreme Court of the United States, which was
created by the Constitution for the determination OF
such questions and this, on the delusive assump-
ton OF there being law higher than the Constitu-
ton itself.
For those who honestly think there is such a law,
Il propose nothing to reckless demagogues,) ]
have something to say, and deem it a duty OF the
highest order to say il at this time.
While was abroad, my countrymcn-for con-
slider myself addressing you'll was every where
struck with single popularity, principle, in
which our Government differs from those of Eu-
rope; a principle In which have taken a lead
in the world, and for the maintenance of which
the world has n right to hold accountable; it ID
this that while in the several governments o.
Europe the privileges of the people-cven in Eng
land, where the subject is 80 admirably protected
by law-the privileges of the people are enjoyed by
grants from the governments; by concessions, OF
ten wrung from the governments with the great
est difficulty and at immense cost Of life and
treasure; whereas, in happy country, thu
pososr of the Government ia grant from the peo
pie. I implore my countrymen to reflect upor
this, frat point, in what have TO say. Its no
that in England. and in many places the cont
nent the subject 10 not protected in his right Il
.sIEc, liberty, and the pursuit Of happinees;" 70
&his protection is enjoyed in many places, but tn
grand difference, the essential difference between
our Government and the governments of Europ
lies in the principle stated above. to wit that her
the co.csr of the Government ia derived from tn
people, while in other countries, the pripiiegss
che people grants from the governments
This ia important in every point OF view, an
particularly in view Of the "bigher principle tina
hear spoken of az obliRing citizen of the Unite
States to disregard the Constitution by which tn
Government has been established.
am willing to grant to those whose conscienc
10 tender the subject of slavery that in absolut
governments, which do not proceed from the pee
pie, and which do not contain within themselves
provision for their change and improvement undt
the progressive improvement of the world-unde
such government there ma be, and at times thcr
certainly 10, "higher duty" than obedience b.