The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-09

his party, and repudiated old notions on the sub
ject of the tariff as he has in other matters.
Mr.. FITcH then referred To the operations OF the
tariff OF 1916, remarking that Secretary Meredith
and Secretary Corwin were false prophets as TO the
receipts. Instead of large deficiencies there were
large SURPRISES. They placed their figures on the
wrong side OF the books. In no instance has that
| tariff disappointed its friends. He defended pre-
vious Democratic administrations from the charge
Of extravaganza in the public expenditures, and
said that the Wings have sought by extravaganza
| OF appropriations-un in the history OF
the country, and unwarranted-to exhaust the
| treasury, and thus get up pretext for altering
the tariff They he said, seek to SHIFT their extrava
gance on the preceding Democratic admnstra-
| ton
Mr.. WILCOX obtained the floor; and gave way
for motion that the committee rise, which pre-
| vailed.
ARMY BILL.
| MIR. HOUSTON, from the Committee OF Ways
| and Means. reported IA bill making appropriations
| Tor the support OF the army for the year ending
June ~, 1852; which was referred to the Commit
tee oil the Whole on the state the Union
THE COMPROMISE MEASURES.
Mr.. CLARK presented the resolutions OF the
Legislature OF Iowa, in favor of the system Of
measures known the Compromise. He said that
| however reluctant he might be to detain the
House, he thought 1t due to the source whence
these resolutions came, to present few reflections
respecting their character The language OF one
OF the resolutions IS thai at Is the duty OF every
good citizen TO conform to the acts Of the Compro-
mise, and carry them out in good faith" Here
Is moral principle worthy to be enforced on every
Americans mind, until it's force shall be felt by ALL
and none shall deny its truth. 1t is said that all
the acts which emanate from the National Legisla-
ture rest upon the Constitution their foundation;
and this Ia undoubtedly true But another ques-
ton arises, Of no small importance, and that is, on
what does the Constitution itself res' 1t is but
superstructure-b but created thing. What under
lies its foundation nd susains III Ii the principle
set forth IN the resolution, namely, "good faith"
that "good faith which metes out to all their
rlghts-the full measure OF their legal, their spe-
chc, their coyenanted rights But 1t is said every
system Of law rests something external for its
support. This is unquestionably true; and We
know what that thing is in other governments ex-
cept this. II ID the soldiers arm, and bnyonets
welded by the soldier, and both welded by
the will of single mind. But it ID different
here You may put down a rebellion, like
Shay's IN Massachusetts, by military force; you
may quell an instruction like that which existed
in Pennsylvania, denominated the whisky insur
rection, by military force; but wherever the mill
tary force OF the General Government shall be ar
rayed against a State government, there will be
wounds created so deep that no time can heal, re-
sentiments so fragrant that no grace can pardon.
and ruin 30 widespread that no wisdom
construct. We believe, them that there is some
such thing as the morality Of law; not that moral
lty which determines the character Of law, but
which commands obedience to law, sprnging up
In the enjoyment of law co-eXtcnsivc with it, sub
sisting with 1t, and from its obligation there ID no
escape Ii is true the casui5t and carper can ask
hard questions, what shall be done in case Con
gress enact laws lagitious and immoral in their
character: But he would answer If the suppos-
ton were possible, it is still the duty of every ciu
zen to obey He knew OF but one rule of law, and
that Is universal for every individual and mind.
There is no such thing as rightlul resistance TO
law, while law is law. To contend for any other
doctrine would make war on all law, and reduce
law to anarchy, and nothing else.
IL Is easy to go smoothly on when no difference
OF interests conflict when prejudlces stlrred
but when IN the course Of rightiul government and
law these obstacles met, what Is to cleave them
down and suffer you to progress? 1t Is nothing
short OF good iath, which Is set forth in this
luton; and II Is precisely this which has made this
country stand out In unrivaled dignity before the
world, and on the page of history; and precisely
for the lack Of this many nations, struggling
for freedom, have fallen TAR in the rear OF the
past hopes and expectations OF those who have
cheered them on to the accomplishment of proud
position similar 10 that which we occupy.
We have seen discussions and danger In the pros
pecuve, but yet they have passed by, and not q
stone has been taken from the foundation, and
scarcely tile from the roof The result OF this
singular lactis 70 be attributed 10 obedience to law
But il might be inquired whether the people of
Iowa need cold and imperious teachings OF duty to
require them to submit TO the enactments of law.
That Is true only on limited scale and gentle.
men would be prepared 10 believe the truth OF what
he stated when he declared that they have no poll
teal hereses, and have always been found in the
course Of public duty. They have trodden the old
paths, paths marked out by our republican fathers,
and they will continue 10 walk in them. They
have not failed TO set the seal of their reprobaton
on heresy, and have not sought the a" higher-law"
doctrines, which lead 90 beWilder, and dazzle but
TO blind" They are no admirers Of the special in
stituon Of the South, but they willing that that
section shall manage their affairs in their own
way.
The gentleman submitted other remarks; when,
under the operation Of the previous question, the
resolutions Of the Legislature Of Iowa ordered
TO be printed.
Mr.. COBB presented the resolutions Of the Lcgis-
lature Of Alabama; but their substance was not
made known.
And the House adjourned