The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-15
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 10, 1851.


Nearly six years ago came TO this city to establish the
Washington Union. This morning come forward 10
address my counymen for the last time the editor OF
a newspaper cease all connexion not only with the
Union, but with the press ITSELF with which have been
associated for forty years In passing of the STAGE
leave il 10 the public to decide whether the actor has
played his arduous part gracefully
he deserves the applause the Kisses OF the audience
But if may place any confidence in the general tribute
Of liberal press, of extensive private correspond
ence which am indebted for many kind and cheer
ing contributions, hope have done my duty to my coun-
try II may the voice OF my conscience, know
that have attempted 10 do it. say with the poet
that never wrote line (which, dying, would wish
TO blot" because in period of nearly half century,
have fallen into many have changed my opln-
ions Of men, and frequently with too much reason
have mscalculated the bearings OF some great meas
ures but will undertake to say that whenever have
discovered my errors have dared to acknowledge them,
and to make the amsnde honorable 10 my country.
The great democratic principles which have taken
my guide for so long aperiod are unchanged pursued
them in Richmond brought them with me to Washing
ton j proclaimed them in my Prospectus; have adj
hered TO them through all trials and fluctuations in this
city. They avowed in the following extracts from
the Prospectus Of the Union and am willing to lest my
course by these articles OF my faith
"We can scarcely be charged with any inordinats
ty saying that upon the success OF our institutions de-
ponds great degree the destiny OF the Oldest countries
of Europe. distant poserity has deep interest in our
fate The blessings of liberty essential TO the prosper
ity of the human and where they spread
large field of action or illustrated by 80 many
brilliant ex samples, in these United States!
1--WE only realize them in our own history and
in the happiness of people, to spread the of lib
ery the EASTERN WORLD. We have only to perpetu
these blessings by preserving the sacred UNION OF our
STATES, and there assgnabe limit to the prosperity
which may enjoy, the glores to which we may as
cend in the scale of nations We have already wrought
miracles enough asonsh the foreign tourist amid all his
preudces and the curiosity, II not the admira
ton, of Europe We have displayed the benefits Of LIB
EnrY and OF UNION in series of phenomena which are
almost surprise ourselves What be
remarkable in the present day. than the spirit OF en-
terprso and which pervades our SrATKs the
schools which they erecting; the canals which they
have executed the than 900 miles of railway which
they have constructed in less than twenty years the i'm
bodies Of land which they have redeemed from the
wilderness the which they have strewn the
West; the multiplication of our people from three to
twenty millions OF souls the augmentation of the number
Of STATES from thirteen twenynne including the
three States Of Florida, Iowa, and Texas which,
write, hope now probably starting into exist
ence z
1--WE live, too in an extraordinary age. Improvement
be tho order of the day Science is shooting forth
in all directions Art is obtiining the most brilliant tr
umphs NATURE The age Is advancing with the i'm
petuosty OF steam, which it is much indebted for its
progress Commerce is expanding her wings under the
impulse of and stronger principle. There seems
indeed be limit to the progress OF discovery And ii
in the midst OF such an age and atthe metropolis oil this
great country that about tent for the
responsible purpose Of maintaining the true principles of
our institutions We almost shrink back from the enter
prise we have undertaken. But least bring the
task spirit that is devoted Liberty to Usnos and to
our COUNTRY heart that is proud of the name Of AMER
little experience in our business zeal that
nothing subdue and industry that fears no labor
With these feelings. we come TO throw ourselves upon the
liberay of country men. We trust that shall
ceive if deserve, their support. II we fail in an enter
prise which might almost appa the souest spirit they
will least be liberal enough to a,cribe it to the want Of
power and of wto the head that guides and not
TO the heart ilIat impels us
"of one thing we may confidently the public
we approach the task with the deepest for the
theory Of political institutions Our confederated
REruBLIo is making a and bold experiment in the
SCIENCE OF GOVERNMENT When we look to the original
form OF the consttuton we indeed struck with
city and beauty We in IL an attempt to ascertain how
power be distributed between two GOVERNMENTS
prevent srefsnrs concentration and consequent
abuse OF 1t In the federal AT the same time that
40 much poc,r was conveyed each enabls
accom- pish the objects which each OF them was best
adapted.
"The FEDERAL government was principally TO watch
our foreign relations that OF the States was particularly to
1.-THE federal government should have adequate power,
to peace and the rights of the Union abroad
but at home its assist in binding the Union
qetber by the benefits which showers around IT, within
certain prescribed Misunderstanding the great Of local
matters to the jurisdiction OF the SrArEs, which better
understand and more properly regulate them. Keeping
This general distinction la view, the constitution has
down the limits the federal power. and 1t should
be the duty OF It's authorities rel gousy preserve them.
on the one hand and consolidation the other
bsnv the extre which be carefully avoided the
was famed and the government should be
sd whilst the federal power exercises its e
Ultimate functions should sscedy respect the RIGHTS OF
the State. and the rights Of the people The federal gov
ernmen, must therefore, nber that 4, has only
certain limited powers which either specified in the
constitution ITSELF which may be necessary and proper
for carrying the specified powers Il canuo, pass these
mitswith lmpuny. II cannot interpolae any powers,
by forced Fictitious construction, without producing
opposition fro the parties TO the compact or some
from the people.
cit would never do indeed, give unlimited power
to the FEDERAL head the local Interests OF the several
part. Our cou ntry covers extensive empire. IL
braces great variety OF climates and sos Of occupations
and Of n,er,s The obvious danger Of too much federal
LEGISLATION IT, OF course that it may affect these different
interests in a very unequal degree. Whilst II seeksto nd.
benefits section, IL may Impose burdens
upon another Nor does mischief terminate here. In
eauety produces plain The suffering States become
satisfied One section only murmurs about the par
shown to another but against the Cove which
commit. The Union itse Is less respected because of
bs stice which displays The only OF prevent
inc these niufes and these complaints is TO administer
,ha government within the limitations Of the instrument,
and in spirit which calculated to cgualize, far
possible its benefits and its burdens amongst the whole