The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-31

cha fed by
sublime DC nsnee ihc storm that i'o~ned above
Henry accomplished all that eloquence could accom-
plish but the Of the Father Of his Country"
pre- vailed and Virginia enrolled herself under Inc pan
ner OF the " stars aud stripes"
II than dreamed by the men OF the revolution
that peroi anterior to the middle o. The nneeenth
century would witness The serious agitation OF Inc SUD-
isc OF The dissolution OF the American Union They hoped
better things it il certain that both Washington and
Hamilton anticipated better things They could mol De-
leye the descendants OF the three millions, who, side
by side had psned their lives their fortunes, and their
regulations, IN despetae struggle with The nigh'est
government on the Garth, would, IN less than seventy
years. be found maturing schemes or be defeat o. all
The glorious objects for which they bad labored They
could not believe the day al hand when American
citizens should threaten 10 arm themselves against each
other.
Slavery then existed almost the whole Union;
many good OF that age regarded as evil OF the
first magnitude, but an evil enailed on the country
chiefly through the agency OF Great Britain and which,
probably, centuries could not remove. No one was
found doubt that each State possessed unsounded con-
troll OF the question within It's own limits lhe constu-
ton expressly provided for the protection oil the nstu-
ton Ii was upon this stipulation, and this alone, that
many of the States consented TO become members OF the
conederacy; and il we desire the sun OF harmony and
republicanIsin continue 10 shed its glorious beams
upon the American people-il we wish 10 retain that
power which has twice in arms defed the world--un-
less willing TO surrender the last vesilge OF the
structure reared by patriot ses oil the revolution,
we should manifest in all legislation profound re-
spect for those who differ with the North upon The ques-
ton OF slavery.
II never entered the brain of him of old who won
the appelalion Of "the just" that perfection could
be attained in politics; he employed that quality for
which he was most renowned IN eevating the senti-
mens and meDdng the lives OF his felow-men
There is class OF politicians in the West who hope
10 make heaven OF the world by first converting 1t
into hell They are dsaughied from every region,
and come with all the rrejudces and all the weak
nesses of education and custom. They avail them
selves OF that very liberation which they condemn TO re-
duce to practcether reasonable schemes. They plant
tha a~alg tai, tho
banks OF beautiful rivers and brood the woes OF
humanity though the earth contained virtue. and
charity were not an attribute OF the Almighty. La i'm
agination they revel in Utopia which they are even
too selfish TO share with the world Having learned TO
despse whatever is old, novelty has the weight Of an
inailibe decree. Well were II for the glorious Vest
if these patrons OF imaginative excellence would conine
their alteration 10 their "househod gods They are not
the men, however, to ground their arms, when there
neghboihoods whose peace they can disturb, and
sovereign States whose rights they able TO infringe
None 80 ready to assume responsibility, ready to
lay it down in the hoar OF danger. They braggado
clos IN time oil peace and towards in time oil war So
cety is the great obstacle to taelr march, and the labor
of their lives TO uproot it's foundations They OPP
posed to the dding oil human blood, yet they would
exult in that indiscnmnale butchery which they know
would follow the turning loose upon the whites OF three
or four millions OF negro slaves Revolution has a
charm to them which they never worldly as to
connect with ideas OF rapine and blood When, how
ever, It comes to their ows doorswhen the spectacle is
really presented to them OF people laborng 10 relieve
Themselves from political bondsge-they the first 10
advocate the endurance OF accumulated wrongs.
When. however. we consider the pltable fraction
which this class form OF the great American community,
we are led to wonder that much importance at
tached TO their efforts. The .Norhwes.' beyond a
doubt. 10 The great baancewheel OF our Uaion. What
ever shall be taken by the people OF other
tons OF the country, those who dwell along the streams
and lakes OF the great Northwest will continue faithful
to their hrs love. Every motive which can prompt men
10 ~ orzbe deeds excite them to the observance OF
The com PROMISES OF the constitution.
Wssre rot OF that number who require perfection in
ho min tpia yaf4 h.u ntfa haan
ooiiged TO depart from the stc teachings OF philosophy
and to rely upon the lessons OF practical wislom we
have learned BY the experience OF many years that there
- often necessity for considering that sLpsdient, which
theorists are hardly willing 10 consider Just We would
gladly be found advocating AT all lines that which our
inmos' conscience could exactly and entirely approve
but u the choice be given 10 support nothing. the less
OF two evils, we shall invariably adopt the latter course
10 The duty OF good citizen take ground in every
controversy IN which his country may be involved he
10 under express Implied contract 10 support the
government 10 which he the protection OF his prop
eriy, his liberty, and his life be bias right to remain
neuter where the hgbests interest," OF the nation ana OF
mankind are al stake
The difference between The government Of the United
States and every other which has existed under the
thai hs isns based hs original consent and The
continued acquiescene 9th people Our constitution sup
poses the rights which mankind inherited from Nature
have never been surrendered that all good government
depends Tor It's security upon the intelligence and virtue
OF the masses that whenever the people become dssat-
is6ed with the government OF their creation, be-
leve its provisions to have been negatively positively
vloaied II - lne TiEht and 6uy 10 revoke The powers
which they have temporarily delegated 10 other hands.
These remarks apply strictly 10 what we would call a
prfed democracy. As the American government H. in
fact, what the celebrated author of The Spirit OF Laws
would denomnaie confederate republic 1t will be
sary 10 change terms IN order 10 express
ing. The theory is this The individual members OF
each State OF the Union enjoy The night al all times
10 remodel the constitution aud laws OF that State
to enlarge or restrain their privileges; 10 intro
duce or abolish slavery; TO regulate their police,
and TO do everything ner midst which absolute
ly independent powers may do. The States IN their
sovereign capacity sustain the relation TO the fed.
eral government which the individual members OF the
States do 10 the States respectively. The pnmltsl and
lndestruchbe privilege OF private judgment belongs 10
every Commonwealth OF the Union Just II does to
every member OF The human family. We surrender 10
the States only The eht 10 correct violent abuses OF the
laws OF Nature, and Of suca arbitrary political institutions
as are necessary to the existence and well-beng OF
cley: all privileges and lmmuntes not thus yielded
main in The hands OF The original OF power The
States Tor few general purposes. have delegated lew
general powers TO the United States, such as
The power TO lay and collect taxes;
TO borrow money The credit OF the United States;
10 regulate commerce with foreign nations;
10 declare war, nc. and, finally,
10 make all laws which shall be necessary and proper
Tor carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all
other powers vested BY this constitution in The govern
ment OF the Un,ted States
The great beauty and value OF this system OF govern
msni H. nothing IL left to be implied whatever is not
expressly grated expressly withheld SO long the
genenl government shall continue To operate within
those lmitatoOs. will be the duty OF each State TO OBJ
serve it, requsemsnss but whenever the bloody lines oil
Law and Justes shall be transcribed and consolidated
depotism shall attempt sampe upon the rights OF in.
born, which nothing bu, weakness will fail 10 under
stand and nOthnw but cowardlce will neglect To