The daily union., 1854-02-15
Representatives and Constituents.-The True
Policy.


Representatives and Constituents.-The True
Policy.
That the Missouri Compromise political death TO
its friends, and that, therefore, upon principle Of de-
ducton not perfectly clear political death is 10 be the
fate OF those who assent 10 the repeal OF H. is standing
argument which hear constantly reiterated in the dis
cussions OF the day The premises untrue. and the
conclusions absurdy illogical yet the object OF this
reasoning is apparent II is 10 operate upon the fears OF
ambitious politicians. II is 10 induce them 10 exchange
the question Of right for the question of interest II is
to persuade them to inquire how Office is be obtained
and secared, and not how the welfare of the country
can be promoted
In Tact, prominent supporters OF the Missouri Compro
MISE both North and Souh instead OF being prescribed
for their agency in that matter, called 10 eminent
positions, and enjoyed the confidence OF the people after
wards well as before. Bnii the fact were, to any
friend OF concession and compromise in $780, altogether
otherwiseii there was man among them who in de.
fance Of the anacsm of the day. gave vote which de-
sroyed his hopes OF prelerment while il gave quiet
and repose and prosperity to his country the greater his
honor the glorious his reward The act for which
he was for time denounced ana prescribed step
in the progress OF lheray and patriotism which
ly living mortal now condemns. 1t act OF per-
sonal sacrifice in regard, perehance TO the ansitory
aims and aspirations of the time when it occurred. To
have done that act now when its noble purposes ap
precatsd. when its happy results understood
fers more honor upon man than he could have derived
from holding every high office in the land. The
policy is shallow and mistaken which looks upon
office as The hghes, object political life. In the
language Andrew Jackson, "Therc is but one true
policy, and that is TO be right ...
In our brief political history The acquisition OF the val
ley of the Mississippi the declaration of war against
Great Britain the overthrow OF gigantic national bank,
the establishment, OF independent treasury. and Of
more liberal principles Of trade-measures every Of
which has been most bitterly denounced all over the
counry-hsve subsequently become popular that no
politician dares lift his voice against them. If any
has been denounced for little time lost Office even
by his advocacy of either OF these measures how amply
must he feel himself to be repaid, when his
having been sanctioned by the whole country he has the
satisfaction OF knowing >ihat his upon the
record in the right place and at the right time.
We say vote in favor OF the Missouri Compromise,
by which the rights OF the people Of Missouri
cured 10 them step in the progress o iberaty and
patriotism 1t did not go the whole way. I, arranged
every controverled matter then of practical Importance
but sanctioned geographical line, likely in the very
nature OF things, 10 give Tiss 10 future encounters
Such encounters actually resulted They infamed
and rendered more dangerous by the unbounded vio-
lence and viluperaon OF aboonsls at the North, not
unfrequen,y aided by like nienperance Of action and
language al the South Reasonable men everywhere
looked upon these facts with deep They began
regard the hhammatoy appeals OF the agators with
disdan. The North and South shook hands. Another
large advance made in liberaiy and nationality Of
feeling The Compromise OF 1850 the result based
upon the rgh, OF the people TO govern themselves, and
disregardful OF geographical lines, That Compromise
was denounced, bat every breath OF camor expended
against it in vain The people had had enough OF
sectional agstion-enoush OF senseess and prohtess
clamor the subject Of slavery. They gave their
prompt approval to acquiescence in the Compromise
and they will in like manner approve OF the legislation
now proposed, based upon the principles
In truth, il is mistaken idea under which the repre-
sentative sometimes labors when satisfied that given
course IL tight he lrembes lest the people should not be
prepared for IT, In nine in ten, in matters OF pub
lie policy. the people will be found rather in advance
than in the OF their representatives They are nde
pendent They have Offices dependent on their
They are on the lookout Their opinions are often
formed and their positions taken before the gentleman
who chances to represent them has done revolving in his
mind the gloomy question whether bis amcabe relations
with his constituents TO be disturbed by the
question which has arisen in the land Such is the case
where the representative is tmid hesitang and without
any proper degree OF confidence in the people, The rep
esenatve who, believing himself right, takes ground
promptly aud boldy-cang nothing for threats and ap-
peals sehshness such have referred tof he is
possessed OF ordinary discretion, will be very OF the
support and appreciation of his constituents II they differ
with him at first sight, and upon partial view OF The
matter in controversy, he will find tbem when he goes
maniully before them, explaining and defending the po-
sion he has bravely taken to be ready as he has
been 10 give up wrong notions and adopt right ones,
listen 10 the voice Of PATRIOTISM exchange narrow
and sectional for generous and national policy. Let
the representative che Just and fear not" American con.
siluents are bold and fearless, and admire like qualities
in those they have chosen 10 represent them. When
ooce sure be right" thereupon the representative may
safely ego shesdn He need not be aalarmed at the
idea Of being in advance OF the people. They will be
TO up with him, side BY side and not only ap
prove OF hs because has been right but approve
of il the more warmly because II bravely and firmly
entered upon. They will make him feel, by the Increased
friendship and confidence with which they regard him,
that, indeed, /" THrRE BUT TRUE POLICY, AND
THAT Is TO BE RIGHT"