The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-15

The Whtx Party.

contest has just passed peculiar to this great
nation. The people, in the exercise of the highest
right OF freemen, have chosen for the next four
years the highest officer known to the Constitution
The election has passed off with ompara i've quiet,
with no symptoms Of popular consul9ion. and |
must add, in many respects, with those cheering
characteristics known only to free and eniighten-
ed people. But the most careless obscrver must
see that there facts connected VITA the recent
popular action which mark ii as an epoch in the
history Of the country.
The conclusion Of one Of the most conservative
administrations since the foundation If The Gov
ernmcnt is fast approaching. BY almost univer
sal conscnt, the policy which has been pursued Tor
the four past years is the true policy by which
alone this great country can successfully be gov
erned There has been, il is true, mere o, lesa cr
ticism and wilful misrepresentation on the part Of
iactious men Of the opposite party; but these have
been al unreasonable as unjust and su b 40 mi ght
have been expected from such men under any cir
Cumstances.
1t is evident to the large aorty oi bu,h pa, es.
aud will become so, that the great landmarks
by which the present Administration has been
guided q c Constitution, with an enia htened
aud can"id interpretations; the national policy un.
| der it which guided the vrtuous founders of the
Republic, aud an earnest and jeaious regard for
the general welfare. AS far one branch Of the
Government has been able to effect any thing, the
most happy results have followed.
Our foreign relations have bren conducted with
hrmness, prudence, and sagacity. Peace, the
most friendly relations, the national honor. have
been preserved under circumstances where, with
less ration, each might have been sacrificed.
The requirements of the Constitution have been
firmly urged and fearlessly executed at home, and
the laws faithfully carried out Wise and neces
sary measures have been again and again recon-
msnded, and a strict economy has been practiced;
and yet with ali these, we told the cleo
ton ia a verdict Of condemnation.
That this ia the Interpretation Of the popular
voice, do not and cannot for moment believe
To do 60 would awaken the liveiest apprehe nsons
for the permanency Of our institutions Ii would
DO verdict against the true principles of the Con
stituton, by which alone good government can be
administered But great party has BEEN defeat
ed most signally. Acandidate, embracing creed
eminently national and conservative in it's doctrines
transcript Of the Constitution, has been rejected
by such overwhelming majori'ies as almost to de-
prive il Of the dignity Of n contest An aged
want Of the Republic, whose life, public and pri-
vate, is adorned by every virtue, and whose ardu-
Gus, well known, and valuable public services will
form large portion of our history, has been reject
Gu Oy MS mcn IN u manner WHICH B6VOr5
strongly Of national ingratitude or popular deu.
sion.
When n great party, protesting conservative
principles and resisting destructive doctrines, is
thus put out of power. it is fit, and indeed highly
necessary. to examine candidly into the causes
which have produced such result
The present aspect Of our politics presents sub
jects for the calm investigation of the curious OBJ
server Of the philosophy of government, and de-
mands the most earnest solicitude of the lover of
well-regulated liberty. Are we rapidly appr oach-
ing, or have we reached, Oh epoch in history
dreaded ny the founders of the Constitution? Are
we to witness serious departure from the spirit
and object OF republican institutions Ia the ba
lance between Republic and Democracy about to
be lost? Are we about to suffer from the e1csss of
liberty, and to enter the Of licentiousness? Is
there to be illcgitimate made of the power &C
CURED during periods of great national prosperity
Will the Constitution prove too weak for the inter
nal pressure? And, under the forms of Republic,
do we mean to perpetrste despotic acts' These
questions may well be asked from the views we
get of the present posture of affairs.
CONSERVATIVE