The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-23
mThe Union must be preserved. !"


Our government has just completed cycle of eighty
years and patriot review the past realize the pres
contemplate the future W the people but true TO
themselves without feeling proud that he American
citizen and that his governmental the "world best hope
without responding from the depths of his heart to the
noble sentiment "The Union must be preserved" and
without resolving that to maintain it he would "with
firm reliance the protection of Divine Providence pledge
his life his fortune and his sacred honor But why this
profound attachment governmentths intense de-
voon to the Union Are such feelings the result OF mere
haucnations-the freaks Of blind sentmentalityf Mol
They the spontaneous impulses Of honest hearts enght
ened by the evidences of successful experiment and Of posi-
tive experience. United, resolved to be free united
achieved that freedom and united adopted form
of government which, in the hands of wise and patriotic
men, has yielded to the people of this country amount
Of prosperity and happiness unparalleled in the history OF
Our national greatness has increased with
pidy and vgor unknown in the annals OF the world and
this moment the grandeur Of system and the glory
Of achievements whether in the field the cabinet in
moral scientific intellect enterprises in the ubi
guilty Of the sars and stripes" in every sea- illustrating
It's national characteristics of vaor and justice present
only subjects Of modest contemplation by the sovereign
people OF the land but those Of admiration and wonder by
every of human rights in every quarter Of the globe
These magnificent achievements together with the actual
and rational berty-he protection OF person and ofprop
erty secured by law which every citizen rich and poor
10 the Union and which teach feel that they the
Legitimate fruits under the blessings Of Providence off
well-dgested welbalanced system Of organic law which
recognises at the sovereignty Of the States Of this
coufderacy in its fullest extent and the capacity of the
people for sefgovenmen expressed through their
jorities.
IT, then the constitution of the United States with the
political policy deduoed from II in past history has
been the chief Of national greatness and per-
sona happiness and has rendered the Union sacred in
estimation, II behooyes every good citizen TO watch
with sleepless vigilance that constitution and policy and
the character and qualifications of those to whom its ad
mnsaon may be intrusted in order that this govern
ent shall be conducted in future with the signal
success and maintained In the purity and integrity
and that Its accredited agents shall receive from posery
the honor due fidelity to patriotism and wisdom It
Of the maxims Of revolutionary fathers that
frequent TO fundamental principles indspep
sable the preservation of free government and that
msy be the better prepared TO discharge duty at this
time let u.s. In the observance Of this Injunction take
retrospect OF connected with and Immediately fol-
lowing the adoption Of constitution and OF the cir
cumsancs which led the formation OF the two parties
which have heretofore controlled the detues OF this
try.
The great difference which characterized the political
actors Of that period aud gave tone and consistency the
peculiar sentiments Of the parties arose out OF the
views respectively entertained by them the powers of
the federal government under the constitution and the
fundamental principle Of the capacity Of the people for self
government One party, beaded by Alexander Hamilton
desired immense powers TO be vested in this government
and necessary consequence rejected the idea that the
great body OF the people capable OF segovernment
In accordance with these principles the sovereignty and
powers Of the respective States would be curaed to the
Of the enlargement Of powers made in favor OF the
federal government and that party has since attempt
cd and to acquire for this government by la
powers not expressly granted by that instrument
The other party led by Thomas Jefferson in favor Of
reservng TO the States all power far practicable and
Of delegang TO the federal government only such
absolutely necessary for the good Of the whole country
and requisite for the transaction Of affairs apperainng TO
a community Of interests This party regarded the ca
pacg and right Of the people 10 govern themselves as one