The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-27

Gsntismsn, forgive me-. when think in these
times That there arc 70 many that are apparently
disposed TO undervaluc tho mAxims and the char
acter and exbortations OF Washington, confess
find myself borne away. often beyond the power Of
self-restraint; fear sometimes beyond the limits
Of propriety. Our country consists in its liberty;
country next consists in its institutions of con-
stitutional law; and blessed be God, our country,
America. consists next in the great example OF
those who have gone before US, and have left that
example. We are not Americans il we resist tho
examples Of our predecessors any more than if we
trample upon tho Constitution, the work of their
hands. II we have real American hearts in our
bosoms, every thing they said, every thing they
did to honor and ennoble their country, impresses
Us with sentiments Of profound respect and re-
gard.
Gentlemen, will you allow me to interrupt the
course Of the few remarks which had to make to
you tonight, by proposing to you, out Of the full
meas of my heart, the glorious and immortal me-
mory of George Washington
The toast was drank standing.I
Mr.. WxBsrER resumed. mr.. President, and
Gentlemen In the lapse of years, and in the rising
OF ono generation after another it may very posi-
bly, happen--and we sure that it does happen
and has happened-that the exact principles of the
Union OF these States not always properly con-
ceived. 1t may not be amiss, therefore--though
do not propose to entertain this company by dis
cussing upon common places-it may not be amss
to recur to what conceive 10 be the original
principle upon which these colonies were united
the objects for which they were united, and the
limitation upon these objects. These thirteen
colonies, all of English origin, were settled on
this continent at different times and under diff
ferent circumstances. They had differences OF
religious opinions. They had established differ
ences of local law and administration. They were,
some Of them, quite remote from one another; but
they were all subject to the crown of England.
And when in the course Of events they all thought
and thought truly, they had just cause of com.
plant against the tyranny of England, their OBJ
ject was to unite in o common cause against COM
mon enemy. How unites For what purposes unite?
For what ends unite? Why il never entered into
their conceptions that they were to consolidate
themselves into one Government; that they were
70 cease to be Virginia, Maryland, and Massachu-
sets. and Carolina. Not at all. But they wero to
unite for those great purposes which should enable
them to make stand against the tyranny of the
English government. They werc to come to an
agreement upon things necessary for that purpose
and nothing else. The objects of common defence
and the general welfare and afterwards the objects
connected with commerce and revenue, which
were important to all, were all they adopted as
principles and objects of union and association;
nothing beyond that.
Al have said, they had differences of religious
opinions. Maryland, your Maryland, was settled
as Catholic country, always tolerant, always
liberal, prosecuting nobody. Virginia was rather
inclined to the religious notions of the Episcopal
Church Of England. My country. at the North,
were not only Professionals, but dissentcrs. They
were of the school of Cromwell and Sir Henry
Vane But what Of that? When all these colonies
came together for the general purpose of defence
against common enemy, what did they dor Did
they seek to merge, and compound, and CONSOLE
date all those States into one great community |?
No such thing. They meant to unite upon those
objects which were necessary for the common de-
fence; and they meant to leave every thing in the
control of the States, to do just as they thought
proper. That was day of liberality and JUS
tice. It was day in which religious opinions
produced no effect upon the general sentiments
Of the country in regard 10 the association of
all the States for general defence. Why, sir,
did anybody at the North, did any Protestant de-
'cendant of Cromwell, or any descendant Of Harry
vane. whoever he was, feel any less confidence in
The integrity, and virtue and patriotism of Charles
Carroll, because he was q Catholic? Not at ALL
Nor did Maryland hesitate to accord the need of
wherever IL due, to the Adamss, to
Hamilton, to Mr.. King, and whoever else
belonged to the North because they were of differ.
int sentiments in religion? Their association was
political. TWAS founded upon general policy-a
,nion, sort Of confederacy at that tme to resist
! common enemy, and do whatsoever was neccs
'ary for the common good. Gentlemen, I hope you
ire never To see this original idea departed from.
Then we come to other propositions. There are
differences of laws. The southern States, without
heir own fault, by course Of events for which
hey were not responsible, had slavery established
among them. Did not all the North know thatl Did
not they deal with them upon that basis? Did not
hey recognise that state Of things? Entirely, en-.
irely. That was matter Of local legislation, of
State right, and State administration, with which
he North at that time had not the slightest incna
ion to interfere. in any respect whatever and they
ought not to have had. because it one of those
Kings that did not enter into tho general scope of
hat political association which tho colonies meant
10 form.
Gentlemen, concur in the sentiments expressed
~ you all; and ! thank God that they were ex-
pressed by you ALL in the resolutions passed hero
IN the 10th of December. You say that the Con-
'tituton Of the United States has accomplished all
he objects, civil and political, which the most san
yuine of its trainers and friends anticipated; AID
hat the affections Of the people of Maryland are
Justly riveted to it's principles by the memory of
he characters of the wise and good men who
ramed It, as well as by the blessings they literally
'estow throughout the world. That 10 my senti-
nent. My heart is in it. [Applause.l Altogether,
live and breathe, walk and slecp-I had almost
laid pray to God daily-in the very sentiment of
hat resolution. Then you go on to assert a senti-
nent equally just. You say, that proper appre-
station of these blessings should leave every State
n the Union to adopt all such measures as may
rom time to time be necessary to give complete
Ind full effect to any provision of the Constitution,
" the laws mado pursuant thereto, intended for
he promotion of any part of this great common
ountry. True; every word true. And allow me
0 say, that any State, North South, which de-
arts an iota from the sentiment of that resolution
8 disloyal to this Union. [Grcat app lause.1
Further. So far as any act of that sort has been
ommitted, such State has portion Of my re-
ard. do not sympathize with it. rebuke it
I nd al a. 49,