Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-09
From the Union.
The Mission Of Democracy.

Our forefthers of the thirteen United Colonies,
in acquiring their independence, and in founding
this republic OF the United States u America have
deyolved upon us their descendants, the greatest
and the most noble trust ever committed to the
hands Of man, imposing upon all, and especially
such as the public will may have invested for the
time being with political functions the most sacred
obligations. We have to maintain inyi0late the
great doctrine of the inherent right of popular self
government to reconcile the largest liberty of the
individual citizen with complete security of the
public order; to render cheerful obedience to the
laws of the land, to unite in forcing their execu-
tion and to frown Indignantly on all combinations
to resist them; TO harmonize sincere and ardent
devotion to the institutions of religious faith with
the most universal religious toleration to pre-
serve the rights Of all by causing each to res
pect those of the other; to carry forward every
social improvement to the uttermost limit of hu-
man perfectibility, by the free action of mind
upon mind, not by the obtrusiye intervention
of misappled force TO uphold the integrity and
guard the limitations Of our organic law; to
preserve sacred from all touch of usurpation,
as the very palladium of our political salvation,
the reserved rights and powers Of the several
States and of the people; TO cherish with loyal
fealty and devoted affection, this Union, the only
sure foundation which the hopes Of civil liberty
rest to administer government with viglant integ-
iity and rigid economy; to cultivate peace and
friendship with foreign nations, and 10 demand and
exact equal justice from all but TO do wrong to
none to eschew intermcddlng with the national
policy and the domestic repose Of other govern
ments, and 70 repel II from our own; never to
shrink from war when the rights and the honor Of
the country call us to arms, but to cultivate in
preference the arts of peace, seek enlargement Of
the rights Of neutrality and elevate and hberalize
the intercourse of nations and by such just and
honorable means, and such only, whilst exaltng
the condition OF the republic, TO assure TO it the
legitimate influence and the benign authority of q
great example amongst all the powers of Christ
endom.-P President Pieree's Message.
We desire to fix the attention of the American
people upon the foregoing extract upon the second
annual message Of President Pierce. The great
purposes and ends-of Democracy were never drawn
and grouped together with more comprehensive
and impressive forcc--not even by Mr.. jefferson
in his first Inaugural Address, when he laid down
similar enumeration OF the leading objects of wise
popular government Starting out with the fun
dainental principle that the people possess the in
hercnt right of selfgovemment each successive
announcement contains a sentiment vital TO popu-
lar freedom. Viewed in detail, there is no one Of
the catalogue Of trusts so admirably marshslled
which could be Withdrawn from the bright constel-
stion without msrring the harmonious complete
ness and diminishing the lustre of the combination
No friend Of rational liberty can withhold his cor
dial approval Of each and every sentiment In the
enumeration Strike from the list any one, and It's
absence will at be felt essential curtail
ment Of the great mission Of Democracy.
Each announcement puts forth political truth
70 noble, no sound, 80 VITAL that IL may well con
stitute an issue which every Democrat could cx-
pend his utmost energies, and enlist his warmest
enthusiasm. Taken as whole, they constitute a
grand Democratic arch capable Of sustaining any
weight, or resisting any force, 80 long each one
maintains its soundness and retains its appropriate
place. All are so essential to the attainment Of
the great ends Of Democracy that II is difficult 70
determine which should be guarded and defended
with most vigilance and energy. five read over
the catalogue, one by one, and pause and reflect
upon each, we win doubt tevery pause whether
We are not then considering the most important Of
all Democratic truths.