Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-08-07
The Price Of a Principle.

The Price Of Principle.
A principle is a general tTuth-a tenet,
which serves as the basis OF system, COM
pretending many subordinate truths. Each
subordinate truth is a constituent of the
principle, and is essential to its effective.
ness and completeness. The doctrine OF
States Rights embraces principle which
IS, or should be, the rule Of action-the ba-
sis Of the governmental polity of the Dem.
ocratic party. A prime feature in the sys-
tenn deduced from this principle is, that the
general government should conline its in
Auence and action within the legitimate
sphere allotted it by the Constitution, and
leave to individuals and States, the prose-
cution Of their own private enterprises and
the management of their own private con-
Germs. In obedience to this principle, and
in conformity to its plain and unmistakable
dictates and differences, the Democratic
party of Virginia, and the South, have
been consistent in their opposition to the
interference Of the Federal Government
with matters local in their character, pro-
perly within the rightful jurisdiction Of
the State or individual as the case might
be. They have opposed the donation of
lands or monies BY the general government
to aid in the construction Of works Of in
tcrnal improvement BY the States. They
have opposed like donations for education
al and other purposes in the States. They
have opposed the creation Of great Al
moner out Of the General Government
whose charity or prodigality should supply
the landless with lands, the homeless with
homes, and the lazy and corrupt with the
means Of subsistence. They have opposed
the granting Of lands TO the States for the
benefit Of the INDECENT insane. In fact they
have opposed every proposition which has
had in contemplation concentration and
retention Of power and patronage in the
Federal Head, not legitimately pertaining
thereto, and compromise Of the Const;tu-
ton. They have urged the principle and
policy, as essential to the effective and jus,
operation of our system Of government, o.
keeping separate the affairs of the State.
and individuals from the general govern.
ment. This has been done from eonscl.
entious ard firm conviction that il was the
only policy that could maintain just equi.
poise between the creature and the creators
the Federal head and the States. 1t il
asystem based upon political tenet which
embraces the entire policy Of the Demo.
cratic party. Abandon it. and you at once
surrender the long cherished doctrine OF
States Rights-you at once destroy the j.
IDENTIFY Of the Democratic party, and break
down the barriers which were erected by
the trainers Of our Constitution to keep in
check the Federal Powers, and maintain
the sovereignty Of the States. You at once
establish upon the ruins Of Representa-
tive Democracy. an odious and tyrannical
Monarchy.
The question now is, what is the prin-
ciple, which keeps the States and the Fed.
eIal Government distinct as the pillows,
but one as the sea, worth Such men as
Randolph and Calhoun deemed it worth
the value of this mighty Republic ITSELF
In tact It, TO their minds, was the very es-
sence-ihe core-of our system Of govern.
mcnt-the only safeguard Of the South,
and the only preseIver Of the Union. Has,
or has it not been bartered aSay fol a mess
Of pottage? Has it not by sham procee-
dinghy a cloak Of friendship concealing
the dagger, been bu,chersd' Has not this
great constitutional principle been slam up
on the altar Of intolerant ambition and sell
fshncss: Has not its vitality been sapped
and it's theory abandoned'
The compromise Of principle-Ifthere
can be such thing which we doubt. be-
cause when it loses its effectiveness it is
crippled, is an adulteration unhealthy, if
not fatal 10 the body politic--is virtual
surrender Of II. You cannot serve two
masters-you must either cling to the one
and hate the other. or despise the one and
love the other. No more can two extIe,ues
be represented by the same principle. II
il is adapted to one, il cannot be twisted to
suit its antipodes. II this be true, has not
the great principle of States Rights, in the
recent attempt in the U. S. Senate 70 COM
promise il. been abandoned ! Have not
the friends of States Rights surrendered
their ground, and retreated irgoriously
from the contest, or gone over 10 the enc
envy We think they have. II the prin.
ciPle which actuated opposition to the o.
riginal Homestead bill was valid-if it was
worth anything it was worth preserving.
Virginia has proudly stood up on all ocea-
sions,and through her representatives spur
ned the bid for her principles. When her
Golfers were empty-when her towns were
languishing-when her trade was stagnant.
she religiously refused to join in the