Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-12-17

through at least the next half century; and that
thousands Of persons who have already arrived at
rootur;tv and are now exercising the rights of
froomen will close their eyes on the spectacle OF
more than one hundred millions OF population en-
braced within the majestic proportions oil the a
merican Union. 1t is not merely as an interesting
topic of speculation that present these views Tor
your consideration. They have important pracu-
cal bearings upon all the political duties we are
called upon to perform. Heretofore, our system
of government has worked what may be term
+ ed miniature scale, in comparison with the de-
velopment, which it must thus assume, within
future so near at hand, scarcely to be beyond
the present Of the existing generation
It is evident that confederation SO vast and SO
varied, both in numbers and territorial extent IN
habits and in interests, could only be kept IN ma
tional cohesion by the strctest fidelity to the Prn
ciples of the constitution, understood by those
who have adhered to the most restricted construc-
ton of the powers granted by the people and the
States Interpreted and applied according to
those principles, the great compact adapts itself
with healthy ease and freedom to an unlimited ex-
tension of that benign system of federatve 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 conced-
ed temporary advantage and apparent temporary
expediency.
The minimum Of federal government, compati-
BILE with the maintenance of national unity and eff
fcient action in our relations with the rest OF the
world should afford the rule and measure OF con
structon of our powers under the general clauses
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 Che central authority,
should characterize all our exercise al the TesIec-
tive powers temporarily vested IN Us rs sacred
trust from the generous confidence OF oar con
sttucntS.
! In like manner, as manilcstly indispensable
condition of the pcrpetuatou IF tue lnlon. and
tof the realization o. tha. magnInecG- rational IT,
ture adverted %. does the dnJy become yearly
stronger and clearer upon u. as cigIzen- oil ite
Severa. States, TO cultivate IA tratcrna ami alec
tionate spirit Ian 5uage. and conduct, IN regaTa To-
other States and in relation 10 The varied interests,
institutions, and habits OF sen.lmcn. ana opiHi Il,
which may respectively characterize them. Ma
tual forbearance, respect, and Northumberland IN
our personal action citizens. and an enlarged
exerci. e of the most liberal principles .; comfy
in the public dealings Of Safe with State, wheIh-
or in LEGISLATION or in the execution OF laws. ale
the means TO perpctuate that confidence and ira
tcrnity the decay OF which mere political union,
on so vast scale could not long survive.
In still another point OF view, is an important
Or. ctical duty suggested by this consideration OF
the magnitude OF dimensions, to which our poltl-
cal system, with its corresponding machinery OF
government is so rapidly expanding. With in
creased vigilance does ii require us to cultivate
the cardinal virtues of public frugaIity and official
integrity and purity. Public affairs ought to be
so conducted that a settled conviction shall pervade
the entire Union, that nothing short Of the high
est tone and standard of public morality makes
every part of the administration and legislation OF
the general government. Thus will the federal
system, whatever expansion time and progress
NAV give it, continue more and more deeply root
ed in the love and confidence OF the people.
That wise economy, which is as far removed
from parsimony from corrupt and corruptng
MOO, tl,ot ai"lo rogarA fr the public
good, which will rown upon all attempts TO APP
proach the treasury with nsidious projects of prl
waite interest cloaked under public pretcXts,- ha'
sound fiscal administration, which, in the legsia
tive department. guards against the dangerous
temptations incident to OVERLOOKING revenue, and,
in the executive, maintains an unsIeepIng watch
fuluess against the tendency of all national eN-
penditure to extravagance,-wh bile they are ad-
mited elementary political duties, may, l trust
be deemed as properly adyerted to and urged, in
view of the more impressive of that nccessi
tv, which is directly suggested by the considera-
tons now presented
SAGE the adjournment of Congress, the Vice
President Of the United States has passed from
the scenes 6Searth, without having entered upon
the duties Of the station, 10 which he had been
called by the voice of his countymen. Having
occupied almost continuously, for more than thlr-
IL wears, a seat in or the other Of the twO
Houses of Congress- and having, by his singular
purity and wisdom, secured unbounded con dence
and universal respect bis failing health watched
/ bv he nation with painful socitude. His loss To-