The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-07-16

CHARLES r. BUCKALEW,
DELIVERED AT TowANpA, JULY 4TH, 1856.

CHARLES r. BUCKALEW,
DELIVERED AT TowAEDA, JULY 4TH, 1856.
twill be appropriate after hearing read the
most famous Of Mr.. Jefferson's productions,
10 consider the origin, career and character
of the party which he founded; and also the
existing condition Of public affairs, in order
to obtain just comprehension Of the course
we should pursue.
II is not by ex:ravagant, hish.wrought eu.
iogums upon our ancestors. but by perform
ingt duties that press upon US, that our
country is TO be coEducled 10 the position for
which |, was destined. But an examination
OF the past in the light OF reason and truth,
will aid US in selecting the path we are to
pursue. In this spirit .he examination of our
history is seldom made. The record of events
that have occurred in our country, and the
writings Of able men who have distinguished
its history, are ordinarily examined simply
for the purpose of giving force 10 a party
creed, or establishing some foregone conelu.
slon. Therefore, the sincere, earnest inqui-
ref, constantly encounters distorted statements
of history that lend 10 mislead his judgment
and corrupt his opinions. Be it our aim, with.
in the brief limits which the occasion permits,
to bring forward, without perverslon, some
historical facts necessary 10 the true forma-
ton Of opinion upon pending issues.
The Constitution Of The United States went
into operation on the frs, Wednesday of
March, 1889. The population of the States
and Territories in the year following was un-
der four millions and their number seventeen.
The States and Territories are now thirty
nine IN number aud their population exceeds
twenty-five millions. Eight of The Territories
afford space for twice as many additional
States, and some ofths States already formed
will doubtless be Isubdivided. What growth
is here! and VIII at prospects yet present them
selves! In viewing this spectacle we are
provoked 10 enlarged thought and exuberan,
language. We congratulate ourselves con.
siantly upon the amazing power TO which we
have attained, and cast hopeful gances 10
the future. The glare Of prosperily-he
bounding pulse OF matured power-the omens
of greatness that present lhemse.ves-are not,
however, 10 be permitted 10 blind, TO corrupt,
or 10 mislead US. There are weghty and
slsrR. duties that challenge performance ;
dangers tha, require grave consideration and
heroic effort difficulties that labor and pa
tience and patriotism must surmount. 1t is
everlas,insly true that effort is the price of
security and success.
The Union under which we have prosper
ed arose out of certain national necessities
and is to be considered with reference 10
them. The common defence OF the States
against foreign powers; the preservation Of
peace and the regulation of commerce be.
tween them The judicial determination of
controversies where State jurisdiction was
imperfec, or wanting, the control Of postal
communication and the subject of coinage (;
were among those things which imperative.
iY demanded common government found
ed upon union. But nothing can be clearer
Than that the powers of that Government are
to be strictly limited 10 The objects for which
it was instituted. Practically, they are meas
ured and defined by the written grants con-
tanned in the constitution; for those grants
being express, particular, and limited, ex.
clpde all implication ofpower beyond them
"Failhful and true" therefore have been
those public men of the country who have
resisted the exercise of ungran,ed and doubt.
ful powers by the general government, and
have sought to direct its administration in
the plain path Of its constitutional dulies.--
And the public policy which they have pro
posed and defended, is every year becoming
more necessary 10 the welfare of the people
and the salvation OF our institutions.
Not long after the organization of the gov
ernmenl, as was to have been expected, diff.
ferences arose regarding the nature and ex-
tent Of it's powers, ana hence the formation
of parties, the struggles of which for supre-
macy were determined in the first year Of
the present century, in favor OF the party
holding 10 q strict construction OF the consli-
tuition. The author of the Declaration Of
independence was installed as President on
The 4lh of March, 1901, and proclaimed a
declaration of principles which has since
constituted the creed Of the party he estab-
iished. New exigencies in public affairs, oc-
curing from time TO time, have required
new measures and modified policy, but
the principles Of Jefferson yet constituie the
landmarks Of party faith with the democra-
cy OF the country. D sa ..3ge4 SGD d
The war Of 1919 broke up the Federal
party and covered with peculiar odium that
branch Of il which opposed the country in
lie struggle. Those among the Federalists
who performed their duties to the country,
and with whom party maIiguiiy didnot over
come patriotic impulses, were left in re.
spected position and with little inclination TO