The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-24


ninstraon Of the federal laws is the only evidence
of actual government, he has addressed himself to
the particular case which has called upon him for
action. He has done his duty, without filnching,
and without any regard to those absurd party re-
seratons, which have so often shackled the judg.
ments and the conscences Of the best intellecs of
this country The consequence of this is, that the
law shines through him and, what is more, the
power to preserve it in its integrity, and fulness is
exhibited in a shape that men cannot mistake.
What could result without his proclamation, and
without such solictude as to the powers conferred
on the President of the Uniled States, where re.
sstance 10 the laws is attempted, the future might
teach us, but for the action of our chief magis
trate. His prudence has been well exercised and
while there is doubt as to the Presidents
powers. under the constitution to protect our fed
eral officers in the discharge of their duty, and to
enforce the laws Of the country, it is obviously just
and proper that he should seek to know the precise
extent Of the power delegated to him by the PEG.
pie, that he may give satisfaction to those who
have elevated him to his high position.
We pity the miserable reptile, whether existing
in the slime of party, or demented by the ismatic
madness of our epoch, who can 80 far strip him
self of the common feelings and attributes Of an
message in any other light than as the deliberate
act Of magistrate who is determined to abide by
his oath of office, and to discharge the duties of
his lofty station with all the zeal and energy re-
CURED by the exigencies which may stimulate these
Qualities. Nay, more; we abhor those party poll
ticraas, and caAiing, smooth faced preachers of
highe. law doctrines, who, habtually regardless
of the great interests of the nation, seek to add
a. t.,bn 81 ~
federacy, and who, under the false plea of the
national honor and the national good, level their
weapons at the very heart of the constitution, and
are most desperate when they are leas! successful
in the wretched business that fires their ambition.
How long American citizens will continue to give
encouragement to such political knsves and noun
tebanks, is problem that must be solved, sooner
or later 1t is impossible that this country can ex
list in state of sectional political distraction, in
creased by such adopts in exciting the passions
and prejudices of men. The mutually of our de-
pendence on each other against common, foreign
enemy-snd in commercial affairs-and in the great
and rapid interchange of products-and N our
social relations, even-demands that the common
good should be sustained, If necessary, even at the
sacrifice of some of intellectual and political
idcls-and when these small gods of sectional am
biion bring the plague and pestence home to our
doors, quite time to inquire If it is not best to
throw them down. This decision must be that of
individual minds, it is true, but it will be made
and continued, till the whole nation is once more
free from the corruption that has afflicted it.
In this connection, we are happy and proud to
notice the position taken by Mr.. Clay, in the de-
bate upon Mr. Fillmore's message, to which we
have referred. HIS illusions to the successful
working of the Fugitive Slave law in this city, and
in other parts of the country, Massachusetts, ex-
cepted, were pertinent, and calculated TO inspire
confidence in the administration of the laws gene
rally, while his prompt support of the President,
distinguished him as eminently patriotic and de-
voted to the good of the country. We regret that
he should have been obliged to notice the absurd
notions promulgated by that notorious political
twatter, Hale, of New Hampshire, whose mysti-
cal reference TO "ladies and SANDER" was not
very opportune, or in good taste. The vir-
tuous eloquence of an Esther, or the bray of
Balaam's ass, may have wholesome significance,
if duly reflected upon, when q serious debate is
again interrupted.
The speeches OF Mr.. Cass and of Mr. Dickinson,
and Of several other members, on this exciting
question, were much better taste than the imper-
tinent trifling Of the Senator from New Hampshire.
Indeed, the conduct of Mr.. Cas-, in coming to the
support Of the President, was such as to give con-
tdence to the great mass Of the public, and the de-
claration by Mr.. Dickinson, that he would have
voted for the Fugitive Slave BILL had he been pre-
sent when it came up last session, is well calcu-
lated to give renewed confidence in him, as the ex.
ponent Of the feelings of the majority of the people
in this State Our principal regret, in examining
he hat Ia IN find af
be expressed as to the ability of the federal
government TO enforce the laws. Has il really
come to ihis, that men san be found in
the halls Of Congress so thoroughly misin-
formed as to the state Of public feeling with
respect to the federal statutesl ls It possible that
sensible men can entertain The belief that awless
mob, guided by inflammatory appeals made by
licentous presses, can maintain their needless and
lie gal force against the power of the government
Certainly there is proof that can justify such
splrchensions. On the contrary, the common
feeling Of the people at the North is 10 support the
dignity, end supremacy. and the eff jency of the
constitution ana laws Of the United States Should
any rash misconeeptios OF the real position Of pu }
lie sentiment on Tho question, hereafter lead the
fanatics TO inierposs their wful misdeeds In op-
position to the administration Of public justice, The
penalty will fall heavily upon such temerily.
Every man knows his allegiance, as an American
citizen, to the United States, and we have no
fear either that the acquisitions of the law will be
made null, or that those who are opposed to it will
succeed in making it dead letter One principle
alone rules this government. That is a sacred one
The majority shall govern; aud, the country form
ing that majority, essuredly will govern, now aud
forever. The shouts and forces OF few fanatical
men cannot be construed into thc deliberate cos-
viclons Of reason, or tokens Of the general OPT
mon Of society. From the whole people spring
the laws, by which all consent to be guided and
while they exist, at all hazards. good citizens will
be guided by them, and will be found ready to sup.
port them.
FIVE have any means OF judging, this govern
ment was never stronger or hmer than il is to day,
and we have seen the sun set upon the hundred and