The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-02-27

enIarping its boundares)so as to render il at once
example aud fit instrument for introducing the
same absolute rule into these coonies." And
again, For taking away our charters, abolishing
our most valuable laws, and altering, fandameB
tally, the forms OF our government"
These sentences, at the same lime, set lOrih the
abuses Of legislative power, and suggest those prn-
ciples Of popular freedom which destined 10 be
interviewer in the constitution Of new system of
government II these principles were the issues in
the struggle for freedom, they become radical and
fundamental in that system which grew out Of that
struggle. They the letter and spirit ol the fun
damental law of the land
The coloniss maintain that their rights were
fixed by the British Constitution, and complain that
those rights have been fundamentally changed, by
the unjust and oppressive abuse Of legislative power
They held, and it is true doctrine that the Const
tuition was the highest law Of the land and that
no legislative, body had right 10 vary change
il. FOrthis principle they fought and were victO.
rious and that principle is sanctifed to us, as
free people, by the blood and snfierings of those
whose example should inspire every American with
the determination To maintain it,
The principle applies with equal force to the
States and TO the Federal Government There can
be no exception to its effect. II matters not how
small may be the territory or how few the pOpula-
tion, over which a different rule is sought TO be
exerled, the integrity Of the sentiment proclaimed
by our forefaihers rises in their defence, and none
but the most lawless and unprinciped would rush
over a barrier strengthened by so many halIowed
memories and associations.
We may sincerely regret that not century has
been allowed to pass over our beloved country be-
fore the same causes which produced one Of the
mighiiest political commissions in the history Of the
world, found Nesting in the very centre of our
being, and feeding upon the highest and fondest
hopes Of people who should be free and happy.
Scarcely the ashes of our heroes, statesmen and
sages cold in their graves, before their descendants
are desecrating their memories, by the violation OF
their principles. The last accents of sdmoniton
have but escaped from the lips of Washington the
memory of that patriot is still warm and fresh in
The minds Of his people and even now those prin-
ciples which were won by his herosm and estab-
shed by his self denial, are threatened by the law
less hand of passion and Of power.
Ii s time for good men TO be awake and active
Those in whose spirits the light Of virtue is ex-
tinct should be up and doing. When the accents
of the threatening sensible in every move
ment of The public mind, the conservators of peace
Of order, of law, yes Of liberty, are idle. They
look quietly on, the tempest gather, and exert
eorsto avert it. Those who think there is no dan.
ger in the feverish aud agitaied symptoms Of the
| public mind, deceive themselves they are the pre-
cursors of mighty convulsion which'can be stilleG
only when liberty and its institutions in ruins