The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-28

to perceiye thai their Law il, in constitutional
point az view, utterly. indefensible and upon
their habitual regard fN law and order, and n
tachment to the Constitution aud the Union
These characteristics Of that people are by no
means Temporary. occasional, or uanstory.-
They are permanent as the puritan character,
and the impress which that character has fixed
upon the institutions, the policy, and the destiny
of this country. The most prominent feature
IN the policy of the original settlers OF New
England. was the rigid and stringent enforce
ment OF law and legal authority. With the
present generation, submission to legal authority
Is principle founded in education, and strength
ened by habit. The people of Vermont are less
exposed than most Of the States, to be drawn
from this position Surrounded by popula-
ton az peaceable as misunderstanding none
of those sores upon the body polite, large COM
mercia cities, the hot-hold OF excitement dis
order, riot, and resistance to law-being All ag-
ricultural people, dispersed upon their farms,
and living in CONF lrative seclusion, they are not
only secluded from those influences which gen.
crate disorder and disturb the quiet of society,
but with means ind opportunities of education,
andAarly training, aud with habits of reflection
adapted to their mode Of life, they are pecul-
arly deliberate, considerable and an orderly
people. They are people to be trusted. In
their hands the institutions of the country are
safe. When they put their hand to the work of
Reorganization, we may well despair of the re-
public. But that hand is not yet raised, nor
will it be- They are indeed subject to the in
fuences hich, like cloud, sometimes pass over
the community, and darken the political firma-
nent; the legislative body may, Ander sudden
impulses, forget what is due to their constitu-
ency and themselves; but, believe me, there is
redeeming spirit in that people, in their intel
ligence and virtue, which will set all right at
last. Their self-respect will lead them to re-
peal of the Objectionable law. As the repre-
sentative Of that State here, have deplored the
indiscreton of her late Legislature. desire to
remove the bemish from her reputation, and as
the most effectual and honorable mode of doing
so, desire that she may be left to the course
which her own sense Of proprety, uninhuenced
by threats or provocations of any kind, may die
tate. Above all, let me en!reat that no meas
ure OF retaliation or resentment may be inter-
posed, at least until she have opportunity to re-
trace her steps, or to show to the world a
determination to persist in error.
In the present unhappy condition of our coun-
try, so different from tho harmony which once
reigned here, it behooves every friend of the
country to advance with caution. r he very
worst remedy for indiscretion and folly on one
side, Is indiscretion and folly on the other The
natural result is mutual irritation and mutual
alienation. That consciousness of wrong where
wrong originates, which would otherwise work
a remedy, is often smothered and stiled by re-
talitory and vindictiye measures The human
mind, impatient of self-condemnation, naturally
seeks escape from it to combat real or imaginary
Nbo frop fro,
self-detence is grateful.
Does not the page Of our history now enact
ing exhibit the workings of this propensity. Are
we not prone, instead Of watching our own foot
steps and correcting our own errors, to make up
a balance sheet of political delinquences charge
able to this or that section Of our common re-
public, with a view of determining in the end
who has been the greatest offender, and done
most towards the distraction of the gorio g
fabric of American nationality
Permit me to add, that, in nv humble iudp-
ment, the most effectual cure for the suspicious
and Jealousy which are now alternating, to an
alarming degree, the different sections of the
country, is found in the manifestation of reel.
procal confidence. Let each party throw itself
upon the wisdom and patriotism of those who,
by the voice OF the country, are charged with
those great interests which are now at hazard,
trusting to discreet and patriotic exercise Of
the legislative power within its constitutional
limits, and to that high judicial tribunal in which
we have all confidence, to restrain that discre-
hon within its appropriate sphere. There is pa
triotism and devotion to the Union North, and
there is like patriotism and devotion South
There is enough Of both to save the Union and
i 1t be found in the masses, it will be found in
their representatives. My own observation, for
The twelve years that have participated in the
public councils, has afforded many decisive proofs
of the sound patriotism and the elevated views
Of those who, on the one side and the other, have
been honored by the public confidence
The experience of the last session of Con-
yress, which at its commencement found us dis
tracted by various and conflicting opinions
deeply rooted and most zealously adhered TO-
but which terminated in those measures of pa
.ification so generally, if not universally salts
factory to the country furnishes strong proof
that there is good ground for mutual confidence
left. The cordial cooperation of the ablest
men of both parties in that great work-the
readiness with WHICH those, who could not sus-
tain the measure of pacificaton in its original
form, came to the rescue in the measures ulti
matey adopted give satisfactory proof that.
however We may have degenerated since the
days OF the revolution, and fallen short of the
elevated craftsmanship and patriotism of our
predecessors, we are not yet altogether unwor.
thy to WELD the destinies of our great republic.
There are too many considerations connected
with our history and present condition, which
warm the heart and thrill through the veins, to
permit us to rush madly upon desperate meas
nres. Our progress-our unparalleled advance
in all the elements of national prosperity and
grcatness,-our present position, commanding
the respect and admiration of the world, our
Just national pride, and the glorious prospect of
the fnture,-the happy results thus far OF the
great experiment, first successfully tried on this
continent, appeal to every lover of his country
md his race, to stand by the Union which has
wrought out these results, and to ftown upon
every movement which would render that great
experiment. failure. Let not the indiscretion
of this or that State Legislature disturb the
equipoisc Of our system. Let not folly and
madness be contagious; but LET reason triumph
over Gnaticism, and devotion to the country,
and the whole country, triumph over sectional
and party considerations.
Perhaps these remarks are already extended
too far | am pratified that vour inor;rv hoe