The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-07-04

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The Annlversary Or our Independence.
We greet otr readers on this morning Of our
National Sabbath, and would be pleased Tor a
inglemoment to dwell upon those pleasing re-
miniscences connected with the great struggle
that l~srminated ii the ogerthre@ Of British
rule and the rstablishmen Of our Independence
1.-THE time the colonies took The bold step
Of announcing to the world their discon-
hection with the mother country, they were
Insignificant in numbers, scarce three mil
lionu Of people, and sadly deficient in all the
munitions or war. The nation with which
she was brought in collision, On the other
hand, had a world wide fenown fol hef militia.
" prcwess exhibited on many a bloody field
ahda LONG train train Of brilliant victories
had ranked her amongst the most formidable
powers 81 the earth.
The fearful odds against which the colonies
were 10 contend, were maturely weighed BY
our gallant ancestors; but did not deter them
sfrom pursuing that course which duty to them
selves, their p~ostefity and the cause Of liberty
demanded at their hands. with strong arms
md stout hearts they entered Upon the seem
ugly unequal cCndict, and after a pFotracted
ar Of seven long years, their CALAMITY extor-
ID from British pride and arrogance a distinct
scogniton Of our separate political independ-
nee, and Of our formal admission among the
reat family Of nations. During the war, tie
colonies were united BY weak political Union
lndeF the name Of the " Articles OF Confeder-
iation.n II twas soon discovered that these ar
icles were totally inadequate to-promote the
common weal Of The several States TO emf.
~ The evil and insure 4 more perfect union, a
convention was called Of The delegates Of ali
The States that met in Philadelphia ii 1887.
The stirring events Of the resolution had
called into the public service the best ialents
Of the country, and the various capacities Of
public men were tested during that struggle,
either on the field, or in the couhcil house.
From these wen tried public servants, the
States sent their delegates to The Philadelphia
Contention.
After months Of anxious elaboration, the
present form Of government was agreed TO by
the nages Of the convention, and submitted to
The people for their sanction. 40 say that the
plan then submitted 70 the States, and finally
adopted by them was the wisest chat the wit
of man ever devised, is but the utterance Of a
traism universally recognized by the American
people.
Much Of its merit is attributable, doubtless,
To tie WISE heads that concocted it, but the
circumstances by which the States we Re sur
sounded, contributed much to the formation OIL
me most essential features Of the present con-
A~itution, and enabled its framers, in the Ian.
ge IF ~ eminent statesmen, to devise a
form gb~eTnnent even wiser than themselves.
Tihat Gdh6rabls system II mutual checks
and b~alanees that pefvades the present con
4sitptions efses il a marked superiority O9er
= an other written constitutions, and owes its
origin, As before remarked, partly to tile wis
dom Of its trainers, and to some extent was
the happy result Of circumstances. 10 what
ever cause this admirable form Of government
i attributable, it is clearly our solemn duty to
ase our best efforts To- carry out the spirit Of
those saIutarY safeguards to Be found in that
instrument, and without the Observance Of
Akiohi i utterly inefficient To preserve our
hbeaieas Ours isapeculiaf system. The va
fious sfztes composing the confedeFacy, has-
ms aach ceis separate political organization
are yet hniteduuieg one federal government
Ro The local legislatures % tie different States
no great mAss Of Iegisiation Is confded.-
Whit On the Other hand, the general govern
hent Is restricted " the terms Of tho insiru-
hcnt, u 4 NV objects Of general interest, spe.
eiied and enumerated iii the ccnslitation.
Thus II will Be easily seen that any inter.
heddling - tks part Or he general govern
tiehs wien lRat which ~pecuihrly concerns the
Bsatss themselves, Z q direct infringement Of
Ae spirit q ne bond under which We are uni
sed saehoaabious inlerHeddlin under what
ever plausible Pretexti Il may 81 indulked ii By
&c general g~oyeFnnsht, shouIu be promptly
sssisted BY ~ MhD desire t. preserve Tie puri-
u our political hbfig, and Il perpstuate
~ libagaies guaranteed 10 Ii ii il provisions
Hisknown q ~ aik Tint there has been for
yeass psaia ~sgslematic enbrt Oh the part 81
tha North - iudueo Congress to take sogni.
sance Of AZ institution prevail ling only ii The
South and foF whicheths soash and not lie
North, i alone ~Fesponsible.
Thia agitation dfat made III public appear.
aaas h the national councils, some fttcn year
under the somewhat sPtciOds ralIyihg cij