The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-26
OUR ROASTED CONSTITUTION

week or two since, an intelligent friend
furnished for our column Of Literary Notices
a brief statement of the character and spirit of
Das Poik, new Germau publication, by X.
HEINzEN, speaking somewhat favorably of its
boldness and independence. A few extracts,
illustrative Of its general ideas, were quoted,
but we did not understand that our critic en-
dorsed all the sentiments therein contained, or
that we, in giving place to them, became re-
spOnsible for them. The correspondent, whose
communication we insert below, seems to take
a different view. His article pays just trib-
ute to our Constitution, and forcibly vindicates
the Representative Principle; but he must
allow us to say that we do not think Mr. Helm
zen intended seriously to assail either If he
did, he certainly could look for no sympathy to
the Era.
To the Editor of tie National Era:
am habitual and critical reader Of the
Era and, agreeing with its editor in the gen.
eral principle protested by him, do not often
find in it matter liable to decided objection
But desire to enter my protest against flip
pant and charlatan censure upon the American
Constitution, to which you gave place in your
last number, and which you endorsed as far
as may be done by copying without any ex-
preston of dissent or exception.
You cavern more than usually -extended no.
tice of a certain production of German
pamphleteer, Mr.. Heinzen, from which you ex-
tract the following passage:
awe see that the bOasted Constitution itself
is in this country in spite of it's freedom, little
more to the people than q cipher, or election
machine. IL is powerlcss, because it delivers
the whole power, and the fate of the country,
into the hands Of a few representatives of the
law giving and Executive power. And since
these irresponsible representatives are exposed
to all manner of corrupt influences, the people
must become what the influx from their repre-
sontatives makes them, viz: guards and hunter
corps for the shareholders"
The occasion for saying this is found by the
writer in Mr. Folks offer to purchase Cuba for
SlOO,OOOO 900. You will permit me to say that
this sneering denunciatiOn of our Constitution
could have been made by none but charla-
tan. Perhaps we do boast of cur Constitution
As it is universally acceptable to us it is natu-
raj, and not improper that we should speak
admiringly, and sometimes even exultingly, of
it. Is there any other people in the world,
consisting of twenty-five millions of inhabt-
ants spread over three millions of miles of ter
ritory, who have Constitution which satisfies
them all! Your German political philosopher
evidently thinks that we ought not to boast of
this Constitution, but ought to change it.
hope shall not be mistaken. There is
great deal of discussion in this country, over
questions of constitutional Interpretation. One
party or one section, or one interest frequent
ly accuses another party, section, or interest,
with violating the Constitution, and thercupon
ensue fierce denunciations and bitter recrimi-
nations but all agree that if nobody would
violate nor attempt to violate, the Constitution,
we would be a happy and .vrtuous nation.
The pamphleteer from whom you quote comes
TO the conclusion that, because this "boasted
Constitution gave Mir. Polk authority to
make the offer to purchase Cuba. it the Con-
stitution) is little more to the people than
cipher, or election machine" that ait delivers
the whole power and the fate of the country
into the hands of few representatives of the
law giving and Executive power.D Now, this
is mainly nonsense of the shallowest sort The
sovereignty Of every people must be exercised
through its Government. The Representative
system is the only one through which de-
mocracy can act The moment a nation con-
signs the exercise Of its collective power to
agents who are not its representatives and APP
pointed such for limited and short periods, it
parts with its sovereignty, surrenders it's de-
mocracy, and becomes subject TO the rulers
whom il places in authority over it. The de-
mocracy Of the small Grecian States--gcneral-
ly consisting Of city, with its suburbs-was
mob, until some strong man, like Pericles, or
any of the usurpipg chiefs with whom Greclan
history abounds assumed supreme Executive
powers. Does your pamphlet-mater, orr ask
respectfully--do you imagine that our people
and country could be governed in that way
IL il known, equally tn statesmen and to tyros
in politics, that pure democracy is form OF
government simply impracticablc for great
nation, or small one either. a very small
nity-smallcr than that Of San Marine
may govern itself judicously as democracy;
for, in such limited collection of individuals,
the whole population may mako and execute
the lava without the Intervention Of agents,
either Legislative, judicial, or executive. How
very small such community must be, however,
will be apparent to any rcilectng person. The
representative system provided by the Consti-
tuition Of the United States IL the nearest mp
pr0ach to tho democratic form OF government
which has ever been successfully applied TO
great nation The Constitution of the city Of
Rome had some wonderfully democratic Gle
nenis, hut they were counterbalanced by tho
institutions of tho nobility and the Senate
both of which were hereditary bodies, and COM
posed close aristocracy. But the Constitution
of Rome was only for the government Of q city.
II there was good deal Of democracy in that,
mingled with aristocracy which was noted for
its arrogance and power, the Government of the
Empire ut large was an absolute dospotisu.