The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-11-29
THE PRESIDENT ELECT, AND THE
POLICY OF OUR GOVERNMENT,
CONTRACTING RATES

POLICY OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
The following timely and ably-written arti-
Gle, from the New York journal Of Commerce
will be read with peculiar interest:
| The President elect has the advantage OF
commanding the confidence of his political op-
ponents in his admitted possession of the va
rous qualifications requisite for successful
administration Of the government. A prom
nent actor in the political history Of his time,
Mr. Buchanan's experience Of affairs has en-
dowed him with the amplest knowledge of the
policy OF the government, of the circumstances
connected with the origin and controlling the
progress of that policy, and Of those more re-
Gently developed influences which are likely to
affect its prosecution The policy Of the Unit
ed States government was inaugurated with
the adoption of the constitutions 1t had its
origin in the experience of national dishonor
and individual suffering and discomfort, under
confederation feeble and Inefficient, because
loose and diSointed. 1t wanted the compact.
hess requisite for strength. Powerless to exc
cute its own DEGREES, it could not raise reve-
nuc sufficient to meet its obligations, nor main
tain force adequate to the public defence
and protection. A perilous experience of its
incompetcncy impelled the "peoplc Of the
United States" to adopt the constitution under
which we live, 'n order to form more per
feet Union. This is declared to be the object
for which the constitution of the United States
was ordained and established, in the preamble
to that instrument. The policy then impaired
10 the government by the people who consti-
tutcd it was Union policy The sagacity
and patriotism of that day discerncd the true
remedy for the evils which oppressed the people,
and applied it in constructing government
based npon the firm foundation of compact
Union. That Union comprchended within its
limits narrow territory and u sparse popua
ton compared with the growth of which it was
the germ. But it was large enough to com.
prise great varieties of soil and climate, and Il
corresponding diversity Of pursuits and inter
eSts. Therefore, it required great wisdom tc
devise q basis on which it could be formed
with the conditions requisite to secure to it du
rablity and permanence. And when that ba.
sis had been arranged, there still remained the
task Of obtaining the assent to it of comnuni-
ties separated by distance, and still more by
dissentiant views. Concession and personal
T sacrifice were largely demanded and self
interests is a formidable barrier for conviction
to overcome. But the spirit Of disnterest.
ed patriotism prevailed, and the constitution
was adopted. 1t operated with n magic in.
fucncc to educe order out of confusion Com
r melcc expanded, agriculture was remunerated
manufacturing industry began to thrive, al
ample revenue flowed into the public treasury
and the growing power of the country, and the
advancing prosperity Of the people, vindicated
the wisdom and hallowcd the services Of the
founders Of the republic 1t then became the
J, policy of the government TO seek to perpetnate
( these blessings Emanating as they did from
''a more perfect Union" that policy required
course OF action directed to the task of ce
menting and consolidating the Union of the
States. This was to be accomplished by re
concng conflicting interests, by maintaining
the prompt, equal, and impartial execution O
law and administration OF justice, and by ex
tending the benefit of the means provided fol
the common protection, so as to secure from
molestation and injury, and to shield from dan
ger every citizen of the United States. Ii
reviewing the legislation of the country i
: becomes apparent that these arc the benefcen
principles upon which its government has bee,
conducted; and the progressive development o
its resources, the rapid increase of its popnla
tion, the vast expansion of its territory, an,
the strength Of its moral and material power
attest the value of the policy that has prevail
ed, and encourage to perseverance in its pur
suit. or this policy Mr.. Buchanan is the rer
. resentative. TO secure its continuance he ha
been elected to the presidency of the Unite
States. The danger that it might be imper
led by preponderance of sectional inAuenc
! impelled the party that have borne him int
, power to select for the Executive of their vii
a man Of tested prudence, ability, and patriot
lc devotion, Equally in the circumstances at
tending his election, and in the political educa
J ton and character Of the man, we have assur