Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-28

resist with the spirit Of innovation upon its prncpes
however specous the pretexts One method Of assault
may be to effect In the forms of the constitution aea
tons which will impair the energy of the system and thu
to undermine what cannot be directly oyerthrown In al
the changes to which may be invited remember tina
time and habit are at least necessary fix the true
character of Governments of other human institutions
that experience is the surest standard by which to test
the real tendency of the existing constitution of country
that facility in changes, upon the credit Of mere hypothe
sis and opinion exposes to perpetual change from the
endless variety of hypothesis and opinion and remember
especially that for the efficient management of your COM
mon interests, in country SO extensive ours Gov
eminent of much vgor consistent with the perfect
security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will
find in such Government with powers properly dstri
buted and adjusted, its guardian 1t is indeed
little else than name where the Government is too fee
BILE to Withstand the enterprises Of faction conne each
member of the society within the limits prescribed by the
laws and to maintain all in the and tranquil en-
joyment Of the rights of person and property.
have already intimated to you the danger of parties
in the State with particular reference to the founding OF
them geographical determinations Let now take
more comprehensive view, and you in the most
solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit
Of party generally
This spirit unfortunately, is nseparabe from
ture having its root in the strongest passions of the
mind 1t exists under different shapes in all Gov
ernments less sted, controlled or depressed
but in those of the popular FORM is in its greatest
rankness, and Is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination Of one faction over another
sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural party dis
senson which, in different ages and countries has per-
petrated the horrid enormities itself frghtfu
despotsm. But this leads at length to more formal
and permanent despotsm. The disorders and miseries
which result gradually incline the minds of seek
security and repose in the absolute power individual
and later, the chief of prevailing faction
more able fortunate than his competitors turns
this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation ON the
ruins of public liberty.
Without looking forward to extremity Of this kind
which nevertheless ought to be entirely sight,
the and continual mschefs of the spirit party
sufficient to make it the interest and duty of wise
people to discourage and restrain it,
1t always distract the public councils and en-
feeble the public administration 1t agitaes the commu-
nifty with ifounded ealouses and false alarms kndes
the animosity of part against another foments
sionally, riot and Instruction 1t opens the door to
foreign influence and corruption, which find facilitated
to the Government itself through the channels of
party passions Thus the policy and the will of
try are subjected to the policy and viii of another.
There is opinion that parties in free countries
useful checks upon the administration of the Government
and to keep alive the spirit of liberty This within
certain limits is probably true and in Governments of
monarchical cast patriotism may look with indulgence
if not with favor upon the spirit of party But in those
of the popular character in Governments purely elective
it is spirit not to be encouraged From their natural
tendency 1t is certain there will always be enough of that
spirit for every saluary purpose And there being
slant danger of excess the effort ought to be- force of
public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. fire not to
be quenched it demands uniform vigilance to prevent
Its bursting into Hame lest instead of warming it should
consume.
1t is important likewise, that the habits of thinking in
free country should inspire caution in those entrusted
with its administration to conne themselves within their
respective constitutional spheres, avoiding the
else of the powers Of department to encroach upon
another The spirit of encroachment consolidate
the powers of all the departments in one and thus to
ate whatever the form Of Government real despotsm
just estimate Of that love of power and proneness
abuse it, which predominates in the human heart is su
cient to satisfy of the truth of this position The
cessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of Political
power by dividing and distributing it into different depo
sitores and constituting each the guardian of the public
veal against nvasons by the Others, has been eyinced
by experiments ancient and modern Of them in
own country and under eyes To preserve them
must be necessary to institute them. IT. in the
opinion of the people, the distribution modification of
the constitutional powers be in particular wrong let
il be corrected by amendment in the way which the
constitution desgnates. But let there be no change by
usurpation for though this in instance may be the
instrument of good it is the customary weapon by which
free Governments destroyed The precedent must al
ways greatly overbaance, in permanent evil any partial
or transient benefit which the at any time yield
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political
prosperity, religion and morality indispensable sup
ports. La vain would that claim the tribute of pa
riotsm, who should labor to subyer these great pillars
Of human happiness these rmes props of the duties of
men and citizens. The politician, equally with
the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them.
volume could not trace all their connexions with private
and public felicity Let it simply be asked where the
security for property for reputation for life il the
OF religious obligation desert the oaths which the in
struments of investigation in courts Of usce And let
US With caution indulge the supposton that morality
De maintained without religion. Whatever may be
coded to the influence of refined education minds Of
peculiar structure and experience both forbid
70 expect hat natena morality prevail in exclusion
Of religious principle.
Ii is substantially true aat virtue or moratv Ia ne
cessary spring Of popular Government The rule indeed
extends with less force every species of free
Government Who that is a sincere friend to It. can look
with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation
of the fabric.
Promote, them object Of primary importance in
stitutons for the general diffusion of knowledge In
proportion the structure Of Government gives force
to public opinion is essential that public opinion should
be enlightened.
As very important source of strength and security,
cherish public credit One method of preserving IL is
expense, by cutvang peace but remembering also that
timely disbursements to prepare for danger, cqueity
prevent much greater disbursements to repe it avoiding
likewise, the accumulation of debt only by stunning
occasions Of expense but by vigorous exertons, In time
Of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars
may have occasoned not ungenerously throwing upon
posterty the burden which ourselves ought TO Dear
The execution Of these belongs to your represen
taves but necessary that public opinion should CO.
IT. Al IL IN nj