Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-09-25

NO-SAASAOd etAat3 SOuSidSA6 - SSAA
plicated end diversified condition oI
our society, the wonder is that our
laws have, in the main, worked Sc
well; that they done so much good
and so little harm.
Now, these diyersities Of condition
will continue, loI a long time at least,
to widen, since the old communities
will go on with the great work of
development, while new societies for
a very long period will continue to
rise up in succession over our vast
unpeopled domain between US and
the Pacific ocean. While this con-
dition Of things exists, our laws will
in the main conform TO the condition
Of those who occupy the middle
ground between the two extremes.
That middle ground the great grain
growing region of the west now oc-
cupies and must continue to do so
for some two or more generations at
least. In this view also OF our social
condition, it is unwise to deprive the
west Of its due share OF legislative
power in either branch Of congress.
But, Mr.. Chairman, there still re-
mains one other consideration why
the west should have a representation
in both branches of congress proper
toned to its population, in my opin-
ion far outweighing in importance
any that has yet been presented
We have in this country some active
centrifugal elements, and those whose
attention is alone directed to their
tendency are ready to despair Of the
permanency Of our Union, and 10
yield themselves up to the opinion
that this greatest of all experiments
on free government is destined at no
distant day to prove signal failure.
But sir, there is silently and steadily
growing up in the very heart of this
nation a great conservative power,
that, if it have not already, will have,
in few short years, the strength to
hush into submission these elements
of disunion. The high functions Of
the preservation of the Union is
committed by the hand OF nature 10
the dwellersin atgreat grain-grow-
ing valley which stretches out from
the summit of the AlIeghanies to the
foot Of the Rocky Mountains, which
at this time contains near one-half OF
the population Of the Union, and is
destined in all future time to contain
an overwhelming majority Of the
nation. 1t would seem to be neces-
sary, 10 the full and sure performance
Of this great and responsible duty,
that the conservative power should
hold in its hands the means Of exc
cutting il according to the forms and
under the sanction OF the law-that
it should, in other words, possess the
power Of making such laws, when
ever the emergency may arise, as
will enable it TO bring its means 10
bear in legalized form upon domes-
tic violence. Without this, there is
a possibility that the conservative
power might fail to perform its ap-
propriate functions; since, if the
necessary laws were withheld, as
they might be, it must, fit performed
Its duty at all, discharge it Irregular
ly, imperfectly, feebly, and hesitating-
ly, because without legal sanction.
In giving, therefore, 10 that which
nature has provided as the conserva-
live power, the authority OF his own
will to provide the means Of perform
ng that great trust, We shall but
second by our regulations the laws
and designs OF Providence. The
people OF that great valley will for
aver be conservative, whoever may
be otherwise; not because Of their
superior patriotism. virtue, and love
,f country, but simply because their
position forces them to be SO; they |
must be conservative in spite of them.
Ielves. Disunion is ruin to them.
They have no other alternative but
o resist it, whenever or wherever
attempted. We Of the west must
lave free access to the Atlantic-to
he great markets Of Baltimore, Phil
ldelphia, New York aad Boston-or
We are a ruined and dependent peo-
de. Suppose these markets, or any
# them, TO become part OF a nation
Independent of the west, so that
when western produce was on the
Dad TO market it might be taxed at
pleasure, or arrested altogether, at
he line OF the new empire. as would
happen, from its coming in
with its own producers;
nd suppose, what also would be like
Y TO happen, the merchandise recei-
ed in return were subjected TO op-
,ressive export or transit duties-is
here a man in the west, will there
'e the man there for thousand gen.
rations to come, that would submit
o that state Of things for a single
ayi II, then, an attempt at disunion
,e ever made in that quarter, the {