The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-09-23

pose there would have been less slavery that its rgos
would have been less If the slave States excluded from The
Union had formed separate government Would the nee
States disconnected from them have been more prosperous
powerful and happy Are we of the present day wiser
better patriotic than those who fought The battles
of the revolution and framed constitution Shall We
claim the advantages OF those provisions Of the compact
made for which conform 10 our wishes and repndiaie
those which may be less agreeable Is there chapter
the laws of God man that teaches such ethics Not
one While both award the same punishment for Of
fences, whether openly secretly commitled while we
have constitution every provision IN u u equally sacred
and the obligation rests upon US all 10 support ana
defend with lives and fortunes every one of its re-
quirements.
But there another question: not sectional in lis char
acer upon which il difficult TO agree The large
States claimed representation in both houses of Con-
gess in proportion to their numbers, while The smaller
insisted upon equal representation IN each inns
controversy ed the large and small States against
each other The debate upon il was long, angry, and
bitter one upon which the convention was at one time
equally divided Two delegates from New York, abai-
donng all expectation OF satisfactory results left tue con-
yenon and returned their constituents The hopes OF
the most sangune fast Yielding to dependency Inc
brightest ancipations fading away and darkness
gathering around The stoutest hearts sinking with
out hope 1t this period of hesitation, doubt and
dependency that the calm wisdom of Franklin suggested
compromise which commanded the appreciation OF the
convention and rendered their labors not only effective
but immortal He proposed equality Of representation
in the Senate which would enable the smaller States TO
themselves in that branch and in the House accord
numbers This Wise ana
has produced satisfactory results and friend of the
Union regrets its existence No constitutional gov
eminent written laws be made without all parties
yielding something TO the interests and wishes OF Others
This principle forms the bass of all written laws and con-
sutions The letter of the convention signed by Gene
raj Washington, communicating the consiitnson TO Con-
gress contains the following:
individuals entering into society must give up share Of
liberty to preserve The magnitude Of the sacrifice
well situation and circumstances the
object 10 be obtained IL is at all times difficult
tbu line hptV
surrendered and those which be reserved ana on the
present occasion this difficulty was increased BY difference
among the several States to their situation extent HABITS
and particular interests In all deliberations on tins sub
jec kept steadily in view that which appears to US
the greatest interest Of true Amercanhe consoda
ton OF our Unonn whch involved prosperity fell
city, safety perhaps national existence This important
consideration seriously and deeply impressed our minds lea
each State in the be less rigid points OF nie
magnitude than might have been otherwise expected
and thus the constitution which now present. the result
Of spirit nmy, and Of that mutual Difference and con
cessi which the peculiarly OF our ndis
pensable.H
Congress transmitted the Embodied abors Of the conven-
ton with Washngtons letter. to the several States rec
ommendng the call Of State conventions TO consider the
question of adoption spirited canvass followed which
called forth the talent Of the States The contributions OF
Jay, Madison and Hamilton to the public press over the
signature of Publins," collected in volume called
the Federalst form most able exposition OF the true
theory OF a constitutional government The friends OF the
constitution egcept in North Carolina triumphant in
every State represented in the convention by the 26h
July 1883 eleven States had adopted tne constitution
North Carolina although at hrst reecung.
vember ~ 1885, after the new government had been sey
era ,nnths in operation Rhode Island though unepre-
eented in the con aton became member OF the coneder
acy on the Goth of May, 1905 thus cu tpa'
union Of States which hes shed much nstre upon @
own loved America, and been fruitful in prosperity and
happiness TO all within its guardianship,
The constitution thus adopted established the most per-
feet form of government contrved by human agency
Its powers were distributed three great departmental
legislative 10 laws the judicial TO expound, and the
executive to execute them The power OF each Is confined
and limited within specific boundaries AMI neither las au-
thory or power beyond If either oversteps the limits
assigned it, its null and void BY an amend
men equally wise and judicous, all th powers not del
egaed 10 the United States by the constitution, nor pro-
hbed by it to the States reserved 70 the States
specvey to the people This guarantees to the States
and the people all the remaining powers so necessary TO
State independence
When we connect the national and State governments
our institutions present the most beautiful spectacle ever
exhibited to the worlda general government 10 manage
affairs with foreign nations and clothed with power to
declare and make peace TO regulate and protect trade
and commerce and coin money and declare the value Of
foreign coin and regulate weights and and State
In many of these the subordinate Jurisdictions of cities
towns and school districts found in practical opera
ton, dispensing advantages pot atainable under more
enlarged jurisdictions thus presenting ve1 Of the SUI
periority of institutions which must command the adj
Iniration ofenlighened men throughout the world
Is our national government liable TO encounter dam
gers
The constitution is really free from inherent defects. A
legitimate exercise Of its powers lead to no dangers
Its capacity of expansion has neither weakened It's pow
ers DESTROYED the symmetry of its machinery pro-
duced arrng in its operations The constitution IS so
simple in its design and so perfect in Its consruc-
ton, that it is equally well adapted to continent
as the Old Thirteen States While the extremities
and centre continue feel the necessity Of its protective
faculties the dangers Of expansion may be treated as POI
tica chmera absurd to be worthy OF serious consd-
Grafton The practical effect Of four additions to our Union
has exploded all theoretical dangers Equally groundcss
fears of consolidation and usupaton of the powers
taned the several States by any agency except their
Their powers not only numerous, but are closely
connected ard identified with the business affairs and pros
perty of individuals The State governments guard and
protect the citizen from infancy 10 old age secure his life
liberty character and prosperity and punish whoever COM
ns aggression upon either In word they constantly
protect him. and leave him free and independent TO select
and pursue such of happiness as his Judgment may
dctae and if fortune friends and health fail him. they
provide for bis necessities The creation and management
of such governments is worthy Of the ambition of the
wsest and best Such soyeregntes subject to but
pcriltha is voluntarily prosrang themselves before The
national power and humby praying charity from its treas
ury accomplish purposes not within the national juris-
dction.
If their independence IS ever impaired, it will be
through solicited by themselves and enforced by the
agency and eoquence of their press and representatives
through acts unwnraned by the letter spirit Of the fed
eral constitution permitted and sanctioned b. tcir
own
One danger to the federal government does exist has
taken deep root and threatens evils IL not fatal
consequences This is trnceable, not the constitution
but to Congress. | the collection of enormous
revenue, far beyond necessary wants. mostly by
seem indirect TAXATION and directing its expenditure with
profsion that asonshes and ought alarm the oiling
millions No government long retain the respect and
affection of the people which taxes espends dollar be-
yond its absolute necessities
Those who exert themselves to reduce the revenues OF