The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-07-19
MIR. WEBSTER'S GRAFTON.


the corner stone of the extension of the
Capitol, at Washington on the 4th of
July. Below we give another extract,
which is very interesting as we'll as
very beautiful:
"Now, fellow citizens, if your patience
will hold out, will venture, before pro-
ceeding to the more appropriate and par.
ticular duties of the day, to state, in a
few words, what take these American
political principles in substance to be-
They consist, as think, in the first
place, in the establishment of popular
Governments, on the basis of represen-
tation, for it is plain that pure democ-
racy, like that which existed in some of
the States Of Greece, in which every in
dlyldual had direct vote in the enacting
OF all laws, cannot possibly exist in a
country OF wide extent. Thisrepresen-
tatonis to be made as equal as circum-
stances will allow. Now, this princi-
pie OF popularrepresentation, prevailing
either in all the branches of Govern
ments, or in some of them, has existed
in these States almost from the DAYS of
the settlements of jamestown and Ply
mouth; borrowed, no doubt, from the en-
ample of the British Legislature. The
representation of the people in the Brit.
lsh House of Commons was, indeed, orig
inally very unequal. and is yet not
equal. Indeed, it may be doubted whcth-
er the appearance of Knights and Bur-
gesses assembling on the summons of
the Crown, was not intended at first as
an assistance and support to the Royal
! prerogatlve, in matters of revenue. and
taxation, rather than as mode of ascer-
tanning popular opinion. Nevertheless
representation had IA popular origin, and
savored more and more of the character
OF that origin, as it acquired, by slow de-
gaees, greater and greater strength, in
the actual government of the country.
In fact, the constitution of the House OF
! Commons was form Of representation,
however unequal; numbers were count
ed, and majorities PREVAILED; and when
our ancestors, acting upon this example,
| introduced more equality OF representa-
ton, The idea assumed more rational
and distinct shape. At any rate, this
manner Of exercising popular power
was familiar to our fathers when they
settled on this continent. They adopt
ed 1t, and generation has risen after gen
Grafton, all achnowledg ing it, and be-
coming acquainted with spractice and
its forms.
And the next fundamental principle
in our system is, that the will of the
majority, fairly expressed through the
means of representation, shall have the
! the force of law; and ii is quite evident
that In country without Thrones or
Aristocracies or privileged castles or clas-
SEES, there can be no other foundation for
law to stand upon.
And, as the necessary result of this,
the third element is, that the law is the
supreme rule for the government of all.
The great sentiment of Acpus, so beau
titully presented to us by Sir William
Jones, is absolutely indispensable to the
construction and maintenance of our po-
lltical systems:
"What constitutes State9
Not high rails baltlemens or labored mound
lhlck wall OF moated gate; crown'd
Not cities proud, with spires and turrcts
Not bays and broad arm'd ports,
Where, laughing at the storm rich navies ride
Not starr'd and spanglcd courts, ITO pride
Where low brow'd basencss watts perfume
No-NIEN, high-minded MEN,
With powers as far above dull brutcs endued
In forest, brake, or den,
As beasts excel cold rock and brambles rude
Men who their duties know, Imainan
But know their rights, and, knowing, dare
Prevent the long-aim'd blow,
! And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain
These constitute Il State; twill,
And SOVEREIGN LAW, that States collected
Der thrones and globes elatc
Sits empress, browning good, depressing ILL.,
And, finally; another most important
part of the great fabric of American lib
erty is, that there shall be written con-
stitutions, founded on the immediate au-
thority of the people themselves, and
regulating and restraining all the pow
ers conferred upon government, wheth-
err legislative, executive or judicial.
This, fellow-citizens, suppose to be
AUST summary Of our American princi-
pies, and | have, on thisoccaslon, sought
to express them in the plainest and in
the feWest words. The summary may
not be entirely exact, but | hope it may
be sufficiently so to make manifest to
the rising generations among ourselves,
and to those elsewhere who may choose
to inquire into the nature of our polit.
cal institutions, the general theory upon
which they are founded. And | now
proceed to add, that the strong and deep
settled conviction of all intelligent per-
sons amongst us is, that in order to sup
port useful and wise government upon
these popular principles, the general ed
ucaton of the people, and the wide diff
fusion of pure morality, and true reli-
l