Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-12-16

permit alienation of feeling to weaken the pow
er OF their united efforts, nor internal dissen-
sions, to paralyze the great arm of freedom,
nplifted for the vindication of selfgovernment
have thus briefly presented such suggestions
as seem to me especially worthy ofyour con-
eideration. In providing for the present, you
can hardly fail TO avail yourselves of the light,
which the experience of the past casts upon
the future.
The growth of our population has nov
brought US, in the destined career of our nation
al history, to point at which it well behooves
us to expand our vision over the vast prospee-
tive.
! The successive decimal returns of the census
since the adoption OF the constitution have re
vealed a law Of steady progressive, development
which may be stated, in general terms; as a
+ publication every quarter century. Carried fer
ward from the point already reached, for only
q short period Of time as applicable to the exis-.
! tence OF a nation, this law of progress, if UNI
/ checked, viii bring ms almost to incredible
results. A large allowance for q diminished
! proportional effect of emigration would not
/ very materially reduce the estimate, while the
! increased average duration Of human life,
known to have already resulted from the scien-
! tho and HYGIENE improvements OF the past
4 ftfy-years, will tend 10 keep mp through the,
} lleAS Ely. OF p6TDapS.s DuuufCt the same TdLlO
! of growth, which has been thus reveal ed in our
past progress; and to the influence of these
! causes may be added the influx Of laboring
masses from eastern Asia to the Pacific side of
/ orr possessions, together with the probable
aceesslons oi the populations already existing
in other parts of our hemisphere, which, within
/ the period IN question, viii feel with yearly
! increasing force, the natural attraction of so
/ vast, powerful and prosperous confederation
| of safeguarding republics and will seek the
privileges of being admitted within its safe and
/ happy bosom, transferring with themselves, by
peaceful and healthy process ofincorporation,
/ spacious regions Of virgin and cxuberant soil,
which are destined to swarm with the fast-grow-
ing and fast spreading millions of our race.
! r. These considerations seem fully to Justify the
! presumption, that the law of population above
stated will continue TO act with undimi nished
effect, through at least the next half century;
and that thousands persons who have already
arrived at maturity, and now exercising the
rights of freemen, will close their eyes on the
| spectacle of more than one hundred millions of
! population embraced within the majestic pro-
! portions of the American Union. 1t is not
/ merely as an interesting topic Of speculation
! that / present these views for consideration
They have important practical bearings upon
all The political duties we are called upon to
! perform. Heretofore our system Of government
has worked on what NAV be termed miniature
scale, in comparison with the development,
which it must assume. within future so near
at hand, as scarcely to be beyond the present
OF the existing generation.
It is evident that confederation so vast and
varied, both in numbers and in territorial ex-
tent, in habits and IN interest, could only be
kept, in national cohesion BY the strictest,
fidelity to the principles Of the constitution
as understood by those who have adhered TO -the
most restricted construction of the power gran
ted W the people and the States. Interpreted
and applied accordiu. 10 those principles the
great compact adapts itself with healthy ease
and freedom to an unlimited extension ofthat
benign system of federative self government, Of
y Hhtsh T Is our glorious and trust immortal
lance be on our guard against yielding to the
temptation of the exercise of doubtful powers,
even under the pressure of the motives of con-
coded temporary advantage and apparent tenn
porary expedienty.
The minimum of federal government, cam
patIble with the maintenance of national unity
and efficient action in cur relations with the rest
of the world; should afford the rule and meas
ure of construction of our powers under the
general clauses of the constitution. A spirit
dignity of every State, rather than DISPOSE
ton to subordinate the States into provincial
relation to the central authority, should charac
terize all our exercise of the respective powess
temporarily vested in US as sacred trust from
the gene rous confidence of our constituents
In like manner, as a manifeStiy indispensable
condition perpetuation of the Union, and of the
realization of that magnificent national future
adverted to does, the duty become yearly stron-
ger and clearer upon us, as citizens Of the seve-
raj States, to cultivate fraternal and affection
ate spirit, language and conduct, in regard to
other States, and in relation to the varied inter-
ests institutions, and habits of sentiment and
opinion. which may respectively characterize
them Mutual forbarance, respect and non
interference in our personal action citizens,
and enlarged exercise of the most liberal prin-
ciples Of comfy in the public dealings of State
with State, whether in Legislation of in the exc
cuton oflaws, are the means to perpethate THAI
confidence and fraternity, the decay of which
political union, on so vast SCALE could not long
SURVIVE,
In still another point of view, is an important
practical duty suggested by this consideration
of the magnitudeof dimensions to which our
political system, with its corresponding machin-
cry of government, IS so rapidly expanding
With increasing vigilance, does it require us to
cultivate the cardinal virtues of public frugaity,
and official integrity and purity. Public affairs
ought to be SO conducted that settled convlc
ton shall prevade the entire Union, that
nothing short of the highest tone and standard |
of public morality marks every part of the |
administration and legislation of the general |
government. Thus will the Federal system,
whatever expansion time and progress may /
give it, continue more and more deeply rooted |
in the love and confidence of the people.
That wise economy, which is as far removed |
from parsimony as from corrupt and corrupt
ing extravagance-tha single regard for the
public good, which will frown upon : u attempts
to approach the treasury with indusirous pro-
iects of private interest cloaked under public |
pretexts that sound fiscal administration, which |
in the legislative department., guard against
the dangerous temptations incident to over
flowing revenue and, in the executive. main
tains an unsleeping watchfulneSs againt the
tendency of all national expenditure to extrav
agance-while they are admitted elementary !
political duties, may | trust, be deemed as
properly adverted to and urged, in view of the
more expressive sense fthat necessity, which |
is directly suggested by the considerations now
presented.
Since the adjournment of Congress, the VICE
President of the United States has passed from |
the scenes of earth, without having entered up |
on the duties of the station, to which be had
been called Inv tba &C L,