Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-10-27
-eoi;ests,n to them Of any physical force.


have or rcsor,ing TO forcible resistance 10
prevent or redress the wrongs with which
they are mcnaccd or under which they are
suffering. IL may atm simply at a reno
val Of ~gr;cvanccs, or it may seek totally to
change the existing government, OF TO es-
tablish within ,i,s limits a new govern
ment. II is a right not confined by bouu-
dsries Of States, laltiiousll being organized
political bodies. they may be capable OF
giving greater effect to revolutionary eff
forts.) but it belongs to oppressed man.
whatever may be his cond .tion. In all
Revolutions, however, there are two parties
those who revolt, and tho government
which they forcibly resist.
There are gcecrally two opposite o,,in-
IONS also enicfuainrd ofthc cause of resis-
lance; that Of those who rise in rebellion,
relieving thcmsclws to be wrongcd, and
that Of the existing government. which de-
nies having inflicted any oppression or in
Injustice. 1t is incumbent upon wise and
c~onssdcratc men, before they hastily en-
gage in a revolution. deliberately to con-
sider the motives and causes Of revolt, and
G8tC98sy " CutLuiutI tiIG tODdD tDust
quences Of forcible resistance. If unsuc-
cessful, they know that they viii be guilty
Of treason, andincur the penalty inflicted
upon traitors.
have thus. gentlemen presented an
imperfect sketch ofsomeof the views which
have taken Of the existing topics OF the
day. 1t would admit Of much enlarge
-. II lI..u.. .J,st,,.o In, have
already given to this paper an liiordInate
lcn3h. In contemplating that sketch, we
behold much more TO animate the hopes
and to encourage the patriotism Of the
country, than TO create regret and uppre-
l~,ension. After such a political storm as
that which violently ragged during the last
Congress, it was not to be expected that
the nation would instantly settle down in
perfectquiet and reposc. Considering the
vast extent Of our territory. our numerous
population, the heated conflicts of passion,
~ofopinion. Of interests and ofseciions, per-
vading the entire Union. we have great rea-
son to be thankful to Providence for the
degree of calmacss, of tranquility and Of
satisfaction which prevails.
II there are local exceptions at the North
aud at the South Of rash and misguided
men, who would madly resist the consiitu-
,ios and laws Of the United States, let us
not despair Of their return, in seasonable
tine. to reason and to duty. But suppose
we should be disappointed. and that the
standard should be raised Of open resis-
lance to the Union, the constitution and
the laws, what is to be done! There can
be but one possible answer. The power,
the authority and dignity of the govern
ment ought to be maintained, and resis-
lance pat down at every hazard. Gov
crnmcnt. in the fallen and depraved state Of
man, would lose all respect. and fall into
disgrace and contempt, if it did not pos
sess potentially, and would not, in extreme
cases. practically exercise the right of I'm
ploying force. The theory Of the consti-
luton ofthc Uuitcd States assumes the nc
cessiry Of the existence and the application
offorcc. both in our foreign and domestic
relations. Congress is expressly author
ised ITO raise and support armies" "to
provide and maintain "A navy" and "to
cosaEs't N 6SqE ealing 81 forth the militia to ex-
surrecrions and rcpel in~vasions."
The duty ofexccuting the laws and sup
pressing Instructions is without limitation
or qualification, 1t is co. extensive with the
jurisdiction of the United Suites, and il
comprehends every species of resistance TO
the execution of the laws, and every form
81 insurrectIon, no matter under what aus
paccs aud sanction tits made. Individuals,
public meetings. States, may rcsolvcas Of
ten As their taste or passion may prompt
them TO resolve. that they will forcibly op-
pose the execution Of the laws and sccedc
from the Union. Whilst these resolutions
remain on paper, they are harmless; bu,
the moment a daring hand is raised to re.
s,st. by force, the execution Of the laws,
the duty ofenforcing them arises, and il
the conflict which may cnsue should lead
to civil war. the resisting party. having
begun It, i'll he responsible for all the COZ.
sequences.
Since the adoption of our present Con.
stituiion, and the Union which it created
ny the blessings of Providence, we have
advanced IN population. power, wctlth,i in
ternal improvement and national greatness
with a degree Of rapidity which, unparal-
'eied IN ancient or modern nations, has en-
cited the asionishmcnt and commanded
The admiration of mankind. Our ample
limits and extensive jurisdiction, more tlnan
tnplcd, have been made to embrace all
'he provinces Of Louisiana, the two Flori.
das' Texas and New Mexico !; and pass
ing the Rocky Mountains, have reached
the Pacific ocean, comprchcnding Oregon,
and California and Utah. Our population
has risen from four to twcmy-three mil.
aons; our rcvenue, without any onerous
burden. has grown from less than three to
neal fifty millions of dollars; our reyo!u-
tionary debt is cxiinguished our mcrcan-
s'ic marine is not surpassed by that of the
greatest maritime power; the abundan,
products OF our agriculture, satisfy all our
wants, and contribute to the Subsistence oil
other nations; our manufactures are rapid
" tending to the supply Of all We essen,
TALLY need from them, and to afford q
surplus Tor the prosecution ofour extended
foreign commerce.; the surface of our lane
Is stri ped over with railroads and turn,
pixies. and our sea lakes and uavisable wa.
scrs rcsound with the roar of innumcraLlt
steam vessels. Your own great city il
Illustrates our surprising progress. After
the commencement of the operation o,
this Constitution. in 1890, its population
was 33,l3l. BY the census of 1850. il
was 5l5,39i. and our other cities have in.
creased IN scarcely a less ratio. The pro-
olcm ct the capacity Of represen'ative gov
to maintain free and liberal ins,i.
tut'ons, on an extensive territory. has been
tr'umphan,ly solved by the intelligence OF
the people. and the all powerful agency Of
steam and lightning.
Such are the gratifying results which
have been obtained under the auspices OF
that Union, which some rashmen,prompted
ny ambition, passion and phrcnzy. would
seek to dissolve and subveu! To revolt
A.x.,. -.