The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-25

q system of compromise the most conciliatory
and best for the entire country that could be OBJ
tanned from conflicting sectional interest and
opinions, and that therefore they should be ad-
hered to, until time and experience should de-
monstrate the necessity of further legislation to
guard against evasion or abuse Thatopinion, SO
far as know, remains entirely unchanged, and
will be acted upon steadily and decisively. The
peace ofthe country requires this; the security OF
the Constitution requires this and eyeryconside-
ration of the public good demands this. If the
Administration cannot stand upon the principles
ofthe message it does not expect to stand at ALL
IDANIEL WEBsrER's Letter TO the Union Meeting
at Westchester.
An Eloquent Warning against DisuniOn.
The votaries of an error, like the victims OF
vice, seldom foresee, in obeying its earlier
impulses, the gradual surrender and ultimate
destruction of their original principles which
awaits them. Who that reads the just and elo-
quent appeal to American patriotism embodied
in the speech delivered in 1912 by Mr.. RHETT,
of South Carolina, would have anticipated
his denunciation of that form of government
as curse which he then apostrophized as
fraught with every blessing2 Who that beheld
his position when, in lS47, he stood up the
avowed advocate of an Executive veto, would
have anticipated his reputation of those admira-
BILE sentiments in favor of the Union and Con
stitution-then, perhaps, regarded as the only
redeeming qualification of the monarchical doc
trines which he advocated
We have italicsed certain expressions in the
extract quoted below, which are certainly not
less just in themselves than prophetic of the
events which have occurred since the period of
its delivery.
We trust that the hypothetical overthrow of
the Constitution may not be realized. We
trust s'the Constitution" may ever remain "as
it is" We agree that ''to this Constitution"
we must 'sattrbute the glorious distinction we
possess as the happiest and freest people in
the world" and we trust that the patriotic pre-
diction, that whenever any party has fairly de-
veloped designs hostile TO the. integrity Of the
Constitution they will be overthrown," may
DO roaiized.
If, however, any darker conspiracies should
be successful, we shall, as a people, testify that
ours like ''every free government the sun has
ever shone on, will have been overthrown
in the names of liberty and the people"
From no other source can human opposition
threaten US with injury.
Extract from a speech delivered by MIR. RHErT, Of
South Carolina, in the House Of Representatives.
July, 1912.
''But to make the will of all the law-by consti
tutional arrangements to protect the weak, and
enable the weak as well the strong 10 rule
themselves, and thus to the blessing of lib
erty and free government to allthat is the mighty
problem which has puzzled the statesmen and pa
triots of all ages, and which has, at last, been so
wonderfully solved in our Constitution. This Con-
stitution the result of long train of events
OF peculiar times and circumstances, and wis
dom and virtue quickened by the intensest
thought, and matured by the sternest trials.
Gentlemen may succeed IN overthro,ping itfor there
IL no blessing IS not capable of despising and
abusing let them not indulge the uain hope that
ichen overttro,on, they establish it, Centuries
rolled before'the birth of this Constitution;
and it may take as many more to find people
either capable of approaching administering
such Constitution. Once fallen, like the decayed
critics Of the old ,Uorld standing amidst ruins and
deserts, il toiH be fallen forsuer If the Union
dissolved tomorrow, it could not be united.
Aware of the difficulty of establishing the Consti-
tuition, and its completeness, when honestly admin
istered to accomplish the great objects for which
was created The people of the United States haze ever
rotoned upon all attempts 10 alter dboish any of lis
essential features. Whenever any party has fairly
developed designs hostile 20 its integrty, they haze
been ouertrosor To what but this Constitution must
attribute the glorious dstinction posssss The
happisst and reesf people the ,oorld and what
all our troubles and contentious with each other,
but providential rebukes for departing from its
wise and just provisions Sir, go for the Constit-
tiOn as IL is. want no change in its provisions;
but if there is to be any change, / want those
changes TO be in favor of popular liberty. Instead
of Strengthening the Legislative power-from which
all usurpatons the Constitution have originated,
and which threaten to overthrow it-let the
Legislative power be still further restrained, by
limitations clearly defined; let the veto prin
ciple, which the Constitution is built, be en-
larged, in order that great majories-an increased
number of wills-may be required to make laws
for the people; and thus nearer approach may be
made to the naked theory Of free Democratic
Govornment-that every man shall rule himself.
detest the dominion of one mana king. de-
test more the dominion of many, because more
heartless and irresponsible; but, above all, fear,
and loathe and despise more than fear, the dark,
faithless, remorseless tyranny of caucus ma ori
ty-rst the tools and then the victims of the bloody
despotism of some bold, bad man, who uses the
high aspirations of the people for liberty TO over
throw the Constitution of his country, and lift him
self on its ruins. Sir, republics are proverbaly
short-lived. They aim at higher standard Of
equity in government, and require, therefore,
higher standard of virtue TO administer them; and
being open TO the aspirations and ambition Of ALL
they must necessarily be liable TO more frequent
and desperate contests for power, and darker con-
spirGciss against their integrity; and let never
forget the sad lesson all history teaches that every
free government the sun has eUr shone upon has
been ov0throtcn in the names Of liberty and The pso
pls."
Some of those who will read with some aston
ishment the fervent admiration Of the American
Constitution, and his eloquent depreciation Of its
overthrow, will attempt perhaps to modify the
of Mr.. RHETT's position, by say