The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-20
What has ondangere d the Union .

What has endangered the Union
To those persons who have carefully and candidly
amned the measures and motives that led to the foma
lion of the constitution OF the United States, the
of the existing disturbances and threats of disunon
will appear to be neither novel extraordinary. The
same causes, modified TO degree, in full force
then and almost defeated the entire project of eff
cen federal government than that which created by
the old articles of confederation Several of the States,
and many OF the most enlightened and patriotic OF
the revolution chung to the confederation the sheet
anchor of freedom, and renqushed that glorious league
OF the thirteen colonies with the utmost fear and rem
bling.
Necessity fact the founder of present sys-
tenn OF government In the eyes of Washington Madi-
son, Hamilton, Jay, and ohers-among the most able and
renowned OF the great men OF those tmesthe coned-
Grafton had failed sustain ITSELF and the point
OF falling TO pieces They. saw no alternative but
more perfect Union and energetic government or
the downfall Of the Union altogether. They strove TO
the evil they succeeded and our happy constitu.
ton the fruit OF their wisdom and patriotic devotion,
In several respects present constitution was supposed
by many politicians TO require abrdgment OF State
rights not called for by the articles Of confederation
this the chief ground Of hostility to the measure
But in essential point commended that any
sacrifice of State sovereignty and independence was
made this was in relation TO that most tender and
sensitive of all subects-siauery. The trainers OF the
constitution knew Just as well do how intimately
this question was connected with the harmony and dura
ton of the Union They fully understood the diversity
of interests, the dangers OF sectional jealousies and
connections, and they guarded against them in spirit Of
enlightened wisdom and prudence.
They left this whole subject of domestic policy to be
regulated by each State for it, and, foreseeng that
some States would abolish slavery, they guaranteed to
the owners of fugitive slaves their right to them
against all adverse State legislation Now, ii is evident
from this view Of the question, that the spirit, and in
deed the letter Of the constitution Also opposed to al
ntermeddlng by the people OF each State with the rights
and domestic institutions Of the other They not only
forbidden emphatcay from interfering with them IN the
respective States but when the slaves escape into
other States, where they would otherwise be regarded
| free.
The lang uage OF the constitution seeks TO prohibit al
impernen dslur Dances of the domestic tranquility
each State by the government and people OF any other
The States equal in respect 10 their rights They are
in reference them, independent OF each other and OF
the federal government In devisng and regulating ihe
domestic concerns they sovereign The whole world
can neither dictate nor rghtully interfere. This is thu
pa torn Of the constitution On this rock our fathers
built their temple OF Union and of Liberty, and they fondl,
hoped il won ID stand forever and So in truth, it would
if the noble patriotism OF its founders survived.
We may now ask, What has unsettled this union o
feeling and of government while the memory OF the rev
olutonary struggle, the patriotic efforts OF the states
men who secured freedom and the glorious Legacy
of advice given by Washington in his Farewell Address
are still fresh in our history and in our hearts, The
swer is as ready il is shameful The true spirit ant
intent Of the constitution have been violated and abused
/ By whom has this act OF wanton insult and wicked
ness been perpetraled Let the truth be told Th
"withers Of the CALLED jade may wince'-ours are IN
wrung The first blow aimed at the harmony OF tn
Uaon has been struck by tho assaiiants Of slavery
Not content with aboishing this institution in the
own States act OF fanatics has arisen, chiefly within
the last half century, who have started forth sort
berating Don Quixoes, TO abolish slavery in all TIL
other States OF the Union. Under the OF aboh
tonsts, free .soilers proviso men, ibery-pary. con
science men, and sundy others OF like tenor they hav
embarked in crusade against the South and carried OF
their warfare by every species OF Islander, caumny am
aIsehood by appeals TO bigotry and religious enthnsi
ssm, and, lastly, by concerted system OF negro steal
ing and total disregard OF the obligations OF the con
sti,uton, and disgracefu avowal OF moral perjury
that the dictates OF their india rubber consciences
paramount TO the oaths solemnly enolned and taken
support faithfully that great instrument OF government
These things have been done and advocated by the VIC
lent and misguided parsans the ignorant and the un
lprncpled-for years. They have been the burden o
the songs of the Gsnisons, the Whtt'ers, the Phi
lipses the Burleghs, and their mongrel confederaes
till they have nauseated even those we'll disposed oppo
nents OF slavery in the abstract at the North who nigh
nave looked with compacency the struggles OF thei
.ef-styed apostles OF the rights Of man" We ha
hoped that these wretched fanatics, who at their anniver
sary orgies ranpIe on the Bible and the constitution
and who reve the memory Of the Father Of his Country
IA hief and murderer" had sunk 10 the level OF the
proper assocates-the runaway negroes OF the South
and their patrons whose instincts for such companion
appear to be natural and ungovenabe-and that ever
man and woman. pretending decency and selfrespec
would shun them as they would a eden Of thieves
but they seem recently TO have recruited their ranks
and to have found friends and allies in high places Q
our government.
! This singular phenomenon in our history has iustl
aroused the jealous feeling of resistance at the Souti
n such party, with such detestable avowals G
principles it has proclaimed, is TO intrude itself in
to the halls OF legislation and to hold or 10 control tn
balance Of power. then. indeed it time to consider hos
Liz TTnrp ,at ha thn If