Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-11


IONS and restored sense Of repOse and security TO
he public mind throughout the eonlederacy. That
his repose Is to suffer no shock during my Official
erur if have power to avert it those who plscei
ne here may be assured --r
The wisdom Of men, who knew what indepene.
.nce cost who had put all at stake upon the issss
IF the revolutionary struggle,-disposed OF the slb-
set TO which reief 10 the only wsy consistent with
The union Of these States, and with the marchof
power and prosperity which has made US wbakws
are. 1t Is significant fact that from the adoption
Of the constitution until the officers and soldiers Of
the revolution had passedto their gravesor throuPh
the iufrmities Of age and wounds had ceased 10
participate actively in public affairs there was not
merely quiet aequiescence IN. but prompt vfnd-
cation OF, the constitutional rights Of the States
The reserved powers were scrupulously respected.
/. No statesman put forth the narrow views of
casusts to justify interference and agitation bat
the spirit Of the compact was regarded IS sacred
In the eye Of honor and indispensable for the great
experiment Of civil liberty, which. enyironed by
inherent difficulties, vet borne forward in APP
parent weakness by power superior to all obsta-
cies: Ihere IS no condemnation, which the yoice
OF freedom viii not pronounce upon US should we
prove faithleSs to this great trust-WhfIe men in
habiting different parts Of this vast continent can
no more be expected to hold the same opinions. or
entertain the sentiments, than every sariefv
of climate or soil can be expected to furnish the
same agricultural products. they can unite in =
common object and sustain common principles es-
sential to the maintenance Of that object
The gallant men Of the south and the north
could stand together during the struggle Of the
Revolution; they could stand together 10 the more
trying period which succeeded the clangor Of arms
As their united vaor was adequate to ali the trials
of the camp and dangers Of the field Sc their uni
ted wisdom proved equal TO the greater task Of
founding upon deep and broad basis, Institutions
which it has been our privilege to enjoy. and will
ever be our most sacred duty to sustain. II IS but
the feeble expression Of a faith strong and uaiver-
SAL to say that their sons, whose blood mingled so
often upon the same fields, during the war Of 3l2
and who have more recently borne in triumph the
flag of our country upon foreign soul, viii never
permit alienation Of feeling to weaken the power OF
their Sanited efforts, nor internal dssensions 10
parayze the great arm Of freedom uplifted for the
yindication Of selfgovernment. rosf
/ have thus briefly presented such suggestion as
seem TO me especially worthy OF your consideration
In providing for the present you can hardly fad TO
avail yourselves Of the light which the experbsnce
of the past casts upon the future.
The growth of our population has now brought
US, in the destined career Of our national history,
to point at which il well beh0oyeS Us 10 expand
our vision over the vast prospective. e Z SUI =
The successive decennial returns Of the sensas
since the adoption Of the constitution have reveal
ed law Of steady progressive Development, which
NAV be stated n general terms as a dupIieatiOu
every quarter-eentury. Carried forward, from the
point already reached, for only short period Of
time as applicable 10 the existence Of a nation.
this law of progress, if unchecked viii bring Us 10
almost incredible results.
A large allowance for a diminished proportional
effect OF emigration would not very materially re-
dnce the estimate, while the Increased average du-
ration of human life, known to have already re-
suited from the scientific and hygienic improve
ment5 Of the past fifty years will tend 10 keep
up through the next fifty, or perhaps hundred the
same ratio Of growth which has been thus reveal
ed in our past progress; aud to the influence Of
these causes may be added The influx Of laboring
masses from eastern Asia to the Pacific side Of our
possessions together with the probable accession Of
the populations already existing in other parts Of
onrhemisphere which, within theperiodin question,
viii feel with yearly increasing force the natural
attraction of so vast, powerful, and prosperous
confederation OF sef-gOverning republics and VII
seek the privilege Of being admitted Within its safe
and happy bosom transferring with themselves, sy
apeacelu and healthy process Of Incorporation, spa
cious regions of virgin and exube5snt soil, which
are destined to swarm with the iast-growing and
disappearing millions Of our race. -
These considerations seem fully to Justify the
presumption, that the law Of population above
stated will continue TO act with undimnshed efest,
through at least the next half century; and that
thousands of persons who have already arrived at
maturity, and are now exercising the rights Of
freemen, will close their eyes on the spectacle Of
more than one hundred millions OF populOtion EN-
braced within the majestic proportions Of the
American Union. II is not merely us an Interest,"
ing topic of speculation that PRESENT these views
for your Consideration. They have important
practical bearings upon all the political duties se
are called upon 10 perform. Heretofore, our sys-
TEN Of government has worked on what may be
termed a miniature scale, in Comparison with the
development, which il must thus assume, within a
future so near at hand, az scarcely to be beyond
the present or the existing generation.
1t is evident that confederation vast and 80
varied, both in numbers and in territorial extent
in habits and in interests, could only be kept in
national cohesion by the sirictest fidelity to the
principles OF the constitution, as understood BY
those who have adhered to the most restricted con-
struciion Of the powers grsnted by the people and
the States. Interpreted and applied secUrcing 10
those principles, the great compact adapts itself
with perfect ease and freedom to an unlimited ex-
tension of that benign system Of federaiiye self.
government, Of which it is our glorious and, trust
immortal charter. Let Us, then, with redoUbled
vigilance, be on our guard against yielding TO the
temptation of the exercise OF doubtful powers even
under the pressure OF the motives Of conceded tenn
POrary advantage, and apparent temporary exPedi-
ency.
The minimum Of federal government eompati-
bic with the maintenance Of national unity and ef-
fcient action in our relations with the rest OF the
world. should afford the rule and measure Of the
construction of our powers under the general clau-
ses of the constitution. A spirit Of strict Difference
to the sovereign rights and dignity Of every State
rather than disposition TO subordinate the States
into provincial relation to the central authority,
should characterize all exercise Of the respec-
tive powers temporarily vested IN us as a sacred
trust from the generous confidence Of cur consttu-
ents.
In like manner. rs manesty indispensable con-
dtion Of the preparation of the Union and Of the
realization Of that magnificent national future ad-
vered to, does the duty become yearly stronger and
clearer upon US citizens Of the several States %
cultivate fraierua and aec,iouste spirit laoguage
and conduct, in regard to other States and ia rea-
hon to the varied interests institutions and habits
Of sentiment and opinion, which may respectively
characterize them. Mutual forbearancef respecf.
and non-lnterference in our personal action cit
sens, and an enlarged exercise Of the most liberal
principles Of comfy IN the public dealings of State
with State whether in legislation or in the execu-
ton OF laws, the means 20 perpetuote that con
ideuce and fraternity the decay Of which a meraS.
political union on so vast scale could not hong sur
I'VE.
In still another point Of view, it is an important
practical duty suggested BY this consideration Of
he magnitude of dimensions. to which our poliG-