Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-01


Whcrcupon the meeting adjourned
JOHN y. WALL, Chairman
JosErH SEsAa, Secretary.
ADDRESS.
FsLIow-cIrtzKss:-The present aspect of our
Federal Relations and the threatening attitude Of
certain Of our sister States in regard to them will
exeuse Us, trust, for presenting to your serious
contemplation some facts and some considerations
which. we think, deeply concern safety as a ma
ion and our happiness as State.
Usder the Irresistible inauences Of the spirit u
Liberty and the genial protection Of wise institu-
tions, thirteen serarase British Colonies along the
mere Atlantic border, peoPled by less than three
millions of Inhabitants, have within but little more
than half century, risen into thiry-onc United
American States. stretching broadly across to the
great Pacific ilelf and numbering for .aeir pcpula
ton more than 81 millions Of souls.
Unenthrslled, Independent, selfgoycrned; free Ia
| the utmost measure OF Freedom; commanding
| peace on own continent and abroad; deriving
from il prosperity uncxampled in the entire histo
ry Of the world; the unirammeled energies of oul
people, physical and intellectual left a; large to
their own boundlcss Developments, we have attain
ed position among the nations OF the earth which
whilst it ms made our country refuge for the o.,
pressed Of every Cline has at excited the fea
and the respect, the jealousy and the hope the en-
y, the admiration and the wonder of The rest o.
mankind.
1t is To the patriotism of our fathers in riyciins
our original ties of brotherhood by the still closer
aud stronger links Of ~ government in common, and
To their skilf and wise distribution of Federal and
OF State authorities, that owe, under Providence
these matchless blessings. These amply justify us
then, in regarding ''the continuation Of the USIoS
as primary object Of patriotic desire" and in
claiming already solved the doubt whether q
common government could embrace large a
| sphere"
Not less dear to than 10 the patriots who achiev
ed our independence should be " the unity Of gov.
eminent which constitutes people" In tho
| language of the Farewell Address Of him who mer
its to be called the Father Of our Country, We
hould regard that unity as ga main pillar of oui
" real Independence; the support ofour tranquiIii,
g at home, peace abroad, of safety, of oui
prosperity of the very Liberty which we SO high
4" " prize" Hearkcnng To this solemn and vener
able advice, we should cherish a cordial, habitua
81 and immovablc attachment to it," and earnest,
desire to see every one "think and speak Of it n,
'thc palladium Of our political safety and prosperi
"iy; watch for its preservation, with Jealous care
- discountenancc whatever may suggest sus
picion that 1t in any event, be abandoned; and
:" Indignantly frown upon the first dawnng of eve
"ry a'temp; to ALLEVIATE any portion Of our counr,
from the rest, enfceble the sacred ties that lind
| together the various parts
| To the efficiency and permanency of the Union
| the Federal Government is Indispensable; and n
this sPrang only from compromise and mutua
concession between diverse interests so can il only
all know, be successfully administered. by our con
senting to in the cone .liatory spiri
| which originally gave it birth But, besides, a prom
or respect for its authority and acquiescence in it
measures duties required by the plainest consil
erTfions of national, Of State, and of individual wei
fare.
That, then, the Constitution may be preserved
unimpaircd, we would resist all innovation upon it
principles; and, discnrdiny to its grants Of pow
or, to the several departments, the latitudinous
well as the narrow rule OF construction we would
i in all cases. determine its meaning according T.
the best judgments firiry; condernring without re
serve. all powers that withheld. and upholdin
with frmness such granted, ever Mindful
that in expounding the great charter we should no
overlook ..thc defects, the dclormiiics and the o
| minous prospects" for which its famcrs were /,
provide remedy.
| Without designing to convert this address into ,
general declaration of political faith, TO frespas
| far into the field Of current politics, think tn,
Importance of the Tariff and Internal Improvement
| questions such demands of brief notice
Subject 70 few obvious limitations, it belongs ex
clusivey TO the several States regulate ut plens
urc their domestic institutions; whilst the Fed
cra authority are equally confded those larger and
lations ofthc States themselves, and were deemed
necessary to be exercised by that authority in or
der to the common safety and prosperity. In n
country so wide spread as ours, emp.acing so mary
diversified interests. there must be contra ciy ii
opinion upon measures, which, designed to estab-
lish policy calculated to affect the Industrial mr.
suits, and domestic economy of communities as well
Us oil individuals operate of necessity for that very
reason, unequaly. system of Legislation for sucb
purpose, in order to be perfectly equal and ius,
III It's effects, would require wisdom of design and
power oil combination far exceeding hat is gran.
ted to mortal man: discarding, therefore MS Utopi
an and visionary, any expectation of such imposs.
Die perfection in our laws, and aiming only a, wha,
Is attalnable, We should remain satisfied with meas
ures h'' IN their general result TO accomplish thu
end IN view, and to promote, upon the whole. hiol
social and individual benefits, even tboupb in mar
ticular instances, they may operate injuriously.
| Under the influence Of these considerations how
ever much we might oppose, as to a Tariff n return
10 an excessive rate Of Duties as to Internal I'm
Provemenis, lavish system of appropriations. We
may be well content, by judicious arrangement a
Duties upon foreign merchandise such us are ne
cessary Tor an economical administration Of the
sernment, to encourage our domestic manufactures
and to provide, in time of peace such improve.
ments Of our harbours sea and lake. and o,r nrn.
cal rivers, as may be necessary to consolidate our
| strength within and to secure our safety without
"th the protection Of such Tariff, and the con
strlction OF such works, there can be little reason
!, i nnly ,,ha" ;' n DISSATISFACTION, for
wbon lures az imposed, and
If n,;rar ;,,,I aLe nteuessiy pushed to works
nm ;n,nn,;,n 20 '''t '"I suspicion Is excited OF
men, ;,,,,, ~ ,''i: :"o ny" powers Oh govern
sectional or sorcid purposes. A strong frclnr of
| nationality exists, fortunately amongst US and il
our Federal AFFAIR. in ordnr =, aI,ns.'1h OF
dcgr,c ,h. ;,,s, " eNa' W '',c hisnes'
feels in the progress Of hi. con,rv rr.s,n.a
The Federal and State Goyernncn,s arn ,,ar,s =,
our system alike necessary: md so Iopr a. H., c.
mcr shall keep within it, approrr;a,e NH, ,h dan
ger of conflict will be small. Dut anv d,aec,;ar
from its right course to the prejudice III m. Stn,.s
WILL as usurpa,ion of autbariiy ma IN dcro.a,i,
of the Constitution. be sure 10 be ms, bv dc,crn;,
ed resistance. A striking evidence o tb;s was y.
EN- in the general excitement ar,n,cs, ,bo ,,o.,,l