North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-11-12
RALEIGH /:
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

The Washington Union speaks of two important
revolutions in this country, the first in 1s00 which
saved Us from consolidation, and the second in
1882, which '.saved from anarchy" Tue enough,
but we stand as much in need of salvation from con-
solidation now, as we did in 1900. Who is to be
the Jefferson of this day! If the Wing leaders, no
matter what name they may assume, should continue
in power eight years longer, the rights and sovereign
ty Of the States will be at the close of that period
bat as 'sounding brass tinkIing cymbal."
The Union is in much greater danger from ten
dency of power the centre, than it is from any thing
which the States may DOLBY way of defending their
served rights. Power is always stealing from the
many to tRe few.'' We have too much agitation and
too much Legislation at Washington. Ii is marked
fact that the dangers to which the Union is
posed owing, the absence of Legislation by
Congress, but to assumption by that body of the
right exercise doubtful powers. Let the peculiar
institutions of the States alone-teat the States
equals in the Conederacy. and administer the Con
stituiion strictly and justly, and the Union will
dure. If it should be broken up, Congress will
do it, and not the Southern States. We know of no
dangerous doctrine than that maintained by the
Federal leaders, to wit that il is the duty of Con-
gress give bounties class Of the people at
the expense of the others; and that the voice of
bare majority Of Congress is conclusive and final as
against the States. This is consolidation with
vengeance. Such doctrine would ultimately convert
Congress into of hot house nursery for all the
isms, industrial pursuits and projects Of all the classes
which constitute society in this country; and ma
jority of one-Giddings, for instance, in the House,
ard Seward in the Senate-would pronounce the If
revocable judgment. No-our only hope now, as in
the days of Jefferson and Jackson, is in strict con-
struction of the Constitution, and in government
administered as srhoA government of limited, dele
gated powers. Congress is not the government, nor
the Executive, the Judiciary, separate and apart
from each other; but they are one government
they constitute the checks and balances they speak
out the will of the majority, properly and fairly as
certained and this government will rightfully ex-
list until the bond which made it and which holds
it together-the Constitute 1shal have been brok-
en- by those who have beeA dArged with the duty of
carrying it out. II
Congress will assemble next month, and the " long
Session " will commence. In the first place, ii is to
be hoped that shall have further agitation of
the Slavery question:; and in the second place, the
people have right TO demand that retrenchment and
economy should be thought of by lawmakers.
We say thought gf-can We hope for more? Millions
are expended now with little hesitation as thou
sands were ten years ago and it has become not only
to rebuke this extravaganza, but the
member of Congress who now watches the Treasu-
~ Nathaniel Macon and James ]. Mckay were in
the habit of doing in their day, finds himself about
the most unpopular man, personally, in the City of
Washington. We know that the wants of the gov
erLment much greater now than they were ten or
fifteen years since, and we disposed, of
the sovereigns" to make the liberal allowances
On this account but after making these allowances,
It appears that the expenditures 60 far beyond
The proper standard.
Washington City has become the centre of attrac-
ion in the system All eyes turn in that direction,
and thousands of expectants throng there for place.
power, and gold. Patronage as doing lis work.
In addition to the foregoing we may as well say
hat Plain unsophisticated people cannot perceive
my good reason why the next session OF Congress
should be "long" or exciting What is
70 be done What business of practical or useful
nature, is to hold the Houses together from Deem
Der to July? The country is prospecting already !
Ind if it were not, should have little faith in any
effort Of Congress to legislate good crops into the
peoples barns, fair into the merchants hands,
'r money into the peoples pockets. ''The world is
governed too much.''