The republic., 1851-09-12
From the Ne,o Orleans True Della, Democratic.
The Duty OF Government

Many individuals, we regret to perceive, act. or
counsel others to act, as if they owed no obliga-
tons to the National Government, or as if il had
duties to perform, no obligations to fulfil
Nothing but evil OF the direst character can flow
from the indulgence of such sentiments, nothing
but disaster and ruin to the institutions we have
all voluntarily undertaken to respect and sustain
OF late we are panied to perceive not only an un-
equivocal disposition to contemn the national au-
thorty, but ostentatious and most deplorable
determination to bring it into rdlcule and con-
tempt with the people, without its having proyok ed
by it's conduct party hostility sectional dislike, or
or personal ill will.
IL cannot be asserted, as reason for the utter
disregard of Federal authority exhibited here at
public meetings and elsewhere, that it is owing 10
vexatious extra official interference with the de-
sires opinions, or movements of the people by ito
oticers for in instance has let, hindrance or
remonstrance proceeded from these functionaries
in reference to the violations of law constantly
taking place before their very eyes
There is no law, nor power-presunlng the dis
position to invoke it TO exist-which can success
fully prevent, although it may impede, the depart
of men for other countries, whatever intentions
they may entertain, or operations contemplate, by
their voluntary repatriation.
Without the connivance of the authoritics-in
spite, in truth, of their most earnest endeavors to
prevent them-hundreds Of men can legally de-
port themselves to-day, to- morrow, or at any
time; what excuse, then, can be offered 10 such
open, fragrant violations of our laws are daily
witnessed, unless the intention be TO degrade the
nation to the resentments of every other nation ?
No citizen requires to be told that the laws of the
Republic punish severely, on conviction, all par
ties engaged in the organization of expeditions
against nations with which 1t is at peace; and
this applies to every person Unfortunately who
shall, to employ the words of the statute, "within
the territory or jurisdiction of the United States
begin set ON foot, provide or prepare the
means for, any military expedition or enterprise
to be carried against the territory dominions
of any foreign prince State. of any colony
district, or people with whom the United States
are at peace"
ltcannot be plead, as u justification of tho sense-
less violation CT the laws daily witness that 1t is
demanded by any urgent necessity, or any unau-
thorized tyranncal doubtful exercise OF power
by the officers of Government; consequently, we
are left to conjecture To its objects, and forced
to conclude that it has its origin in the desire OF
many TO familialze the people to contempt of it's
power, as preliminary TO its reputation by them
altogether. Not the slightest impedment has hith-
erto been offered TO the establishment, equipment,
or embarkation of to aid in the conquest of
Cuba; whether there will be any, should the excite
ment continue, we are not prepared to say, but be
it so or not, we deem it our duty earnestly TO i'm
press upon The people the necessity of sustaining
the Government and respecting its authority,