The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-07-24


at time like this, what are those
means by the use Of which we may
preserve unSullied and undimmed our
priceless boon of liberty, with all its
countless benefits and blessings, and
contribute TO perpetuate their exist
ence and influence for good, and which
true and lofty patriotism would die
tate to us sedulously to cherish and pro-
mote. And first, fellow citizens, above
alas lying at the foundation of all
is the necessity of a pure, deep, sacred
and inviolable love of the Union of our
Republic, pervading the entire Ameri-
can heart And this love of our Union
should be sentiment, a passion, with
every American, as pure ana or~itoIns
that which led Washington 10 spurn
the proffer of a crown, and rejoice TO
give his country republican govern
ment 1t should be sentiment, pas
sion. so sacred in the hearts of our
people as to cause them TO regard as
the vilest and most atrocious sacrilege
any attempt TO mar the integrity of
that Union. The menacing voice, tel-
low-citizens, that so lately threatened
our Unions existence has but scarcely
died away We have heard the notes
of disunion resoundine through the
halls of our capitol, and from that
capitol reverberatlng throughout the
length and breadth of our land. But
the virtue, the patriotism, the wisdom
of our great statesmen prevailed, and
their better counselS have averted that
threatened calamity. And surely such
scenes should teach the American
people serious and instructive lesson.
It should teach them that to avoid the
recurrence of such scenes, and the ill.,
currence of the disastrous consequences
TO which they tend, they must not only
inculcate and cherish lofty patriotism
and love of liberty, but also such love
of the Union of the States, upon which
their liberties and their country's glory
rest, as will ever protect and save it
from the wreck and ruin of dissolution
by traitorous hands. And we cannot
but admire and recommend here the
sentiment lately expressed by Ex-Gov.
Jones, of Tennessee, in a speech re-
Gently made by him. He said that, as
for himself, high and pre-eminently
honorable as mat Office was y.
sought not to be President of the United
States; but he said he would aspire to
an office, in his estimation, even higher
than that of President, and that was to
be hangmaH to all such traitors as
should dare to lay violent hands upon
the integrity of our great and glorious
Union. Such is the sentiment that
should reign in every Americans bo-
som. Then would the fanatical aboli-
ton, aggression and opposition TO law of
the North cease 10 exist, and the fire.
eating secesSionism of the South be
heard no more.
Another means, vital instrument
tality in the preservation and advance
ment of our free institutions which
presents itself TO the people of our
States, to be zealously fostered and
promoted, is education-the dissemina-
ton by free public schools of the ele-
ments of knowledge TO ALTO the en-
tire youth of our country. Men, to
whom the high prerogatives of self
government is given, to be enabled
rightly to discharge its duties, must be
educated. To appreciate his political
institutions, the freeman must under
stand their nature and character. To
vote intelligently on questions Of gov
ernmental interest, he must understand
their merits and bearing. To be free
from the misguidance of the dema-
gogue, he must be capable of Judging
for himself And to be equal to these
things he must be educated. 1t is, ln-
deed, the first of duties which a repub-
lican State owes to its own highest in
terest and welfare, to give free public
education to its citizens-to plant the
school-house in every neighborhood,
and keep the schoolmaster abroad in
all the land. In our own State we shall
have in a few days Convention in
session to form a new Constitution, for
the better promotion of State interests
and the welfare of the people. And
well should the people see to it, that
their delegates shall not fail to guaran-
tee to them, by provision engrafted
in that Constitution, the inestimable
gift of a welI-perfected system of free
general education. On questions of
banking and railroad aid our citizens
may greatly differ in opinion, but here
should all unite, for general education
is the great pillar that must support an
epliuhtened safe and nropressiye Re-