The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-23
sound Views.
he ~ Y Courier and Enquirer.

From the N. " Courier and Enquirer.
The Wing party had its organization in defence
of the Constitution against the aggressions OF the
Executive II is based upon regard for the Const-
tuition and obedience to law. II knows no North
South--no East nor West. II is not sectional,
but 10 eminently national and conservative In It's
character II proposes test that cannot be sub
scribed TO by citizens of every section with whom
the obligations of the Constitution as it 10, are oil
binding force. II seeks no amendment OF that in
strument in order to establish any Utopia that may
have been engendered in the feyerish brain OF ex-
cited and discontented politicians. 1t desires no
equilibrium of political power other than as that
power is distributed and balanced in the solemn
political covenant of our forefathers II is part
of its creed that those powers conferred to be
obeyed or to lie disregarded, as may seem best
either to him who may set up his individual will as
of authority than the decisions OF the Supreme
Court of the United States, or to him who may
claim for his actions and opinions sanction higher
than that Of constitutional obligation. II believes
in "progress" within the Constitution; in benef-
cent legislation; in aid of commerce, agriculture,
manufacturing industry, science, and the arts; but
it discards the doctrine of "progress" that shall
override or evade any one of the obligations under
which the National Government has its existence.
II believes in no new lights in political faith; no
modern revelations of obligations above the Consti
tuition. A
As in the religion of SAVIOUR those who
would understand His teachings Alright must go
back to their received Interpretation in the earliest
ages of the Church, the Wings, in their political
faith, must obey the Constitution, not under any
new version or evasive construction, but it was
understood by those who formed and adopted it.
So long they do this, there will be unity, and
concord, and strength. The Wing party will be,
as it has heretofore been, the party to which the
w-abiding portion of our people will every where
adhere; and although frequently overthrown by the
clamor of the demagogue and unprincipled parti-
san combinations based upon the spois of office, it
will continue to be the party which will command
the confidence of the people in the hour of public
danger.
To retain this nationality, to command this con-
fidence, it must suffer Interpolation Of sectional
doctrine into its credit must nyopose no local
advantage, but labor for the Advancement of all.
If it shall not do this it must to be national
party, and become mere sectional faction. In the
high position it has hitherto occupied, it has been
the instrument of great good, not SO much perhaps
in what it has had the ability to accomplish, as
in the mischief it has had the power to pre-
vent. But it is only national party that it
accomplish any good. If it shall fall
from this high estate, and descend to the posi-
al views and sectional interests its power for good
will have departed from it, and it will have been
transformed into instrument of evil. II will
be in the position OF the other disorganizing fac
tons of the day, and the good and patriotic will
escape from it, they now flee from the destruc-
tive doctrines of the Aboltionst and the Disunion
list. 1t is only fanatics, and extreme trading
politicians, that will act with party that justies
disregard of the Constitution, evasion OF the
law; the great mass of the people revere the one,
and respect and will obey the other. few we'll
meaning men may, in politics we'll as in reli-
gion be wrought up to the belief that their notions
of morality, or of right and wrong, are above all
other sanctions; but their number is very incon-
siderable, and the great body of the American PEG
pie may at all times be safely counted upon in de-
fence of the Constitution and in support of the law
in any crisis that may arise in which either may
be endangered. Those who expect to build their
political fortunes the basis of local disafecton,
or upon fanatica or sectional views subversive Of
the Constitution evasive of the law will find that
they have chosen foundation too narrow TO sus-
tain a structure of more than Llputan height. 1t
may elevate them 10 notoriety, but not to an hon
orable position in view of the whole country II is
sufficient excuse for those to whom power is en-
trusted that they seek TO exercise it in conformity
with the wishes of their constituents. The object
sought to be accomplished must be constitutional
and lawful; and although representative may
sympahze with his people in their desires for what
is impracticable, his duty, under such circum-
stances, is rather to his influence to convince
them of the under which they labor, than by
expressing such sympathy to stimulate them TO ex-
ertions incompatible either with the Constitution
the law.