Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-04-30

lOcal-0ne out OF many; q system caiSulaleo pr
haps in greater degree for extension, and at the
same time for unity and strength, than any other
form of free government hitherto devised by the
wit of man-wth no privileged classes, civil, mill
tary or re;gious-no prince, potcntate or king-no
rulers but the people, with laws adopted under forms
of government instituted by themselves, and ad-
ministered BY officers of their own selection.
We have seen one Chief Executive officer after
another, both in our State and National Cover
ments elected by the people, and installed in office,
quietly and without disturbance, and again return
ing the walks Of private life. In two instances
in our National Government, on the demise OF the
President of the United States the Vice President
has succeeded quietly to that exalted station And
in our own State it appears that more than once,
upon the vacation of the gubernatorial office, the
powers of Governor, i'll accordance with the provi-
sons of the Constitution, have been exercised by
the Speaker Of the Senate for the time being With
out hindrancc and without detriment to the State
thus testing time and again, our system OF Govern
ment under various circumstances and emergencies,
and showing ready acquescence on the part OF
our people to forms and laws prescribed by them
selves.
In view of these things the question naturally
suggests itself every rejecting and patriotic mnd
can this system be preserved and pcrpetuatcd?
Will it be maintained in all its beauty, harmony,
and usefulness, and transmitted unimpaircd to those
who come after us? Or does it contain within itself
the seeds of disease vicious principle which,
sooner or later, Will WORK us ulSSolutioh!
Hitherto notwithstanding the occasional Earring
of some discordant elements it has proved eminent
" successful. But it is believed that 1t can only
continue TO be so, by strictly combining the action
of our National Government to its limited consutu-
tional sphere leaving to the States the Tree and un
interrupted exercise of all the powers reserved 10
them or to the pcople-by the observance ola spirit
of Justice moderation, and forbearance towards each
other by the different States of the Union and their
| people, and by faithful compliance with all their
obligations, constitutional and legal.
| IT. on the contrary, the powers OF the Gencrai
Government instituted by equals ana mace ior inc
benefit of us al, perverted and welded as TO
make war upon one particular scction-'f the pecu-
liar institutions of the States OF that section are 10
be INCREASINGLY assaied by those who have properly
and rightly no concern in the natter-if our constu
tional rights and the laws passed to give them prac
teal effect are be utterly set at na"ght, and IN
their stead rampant and sefsanctificd fanaiclsm
is to rule then the days of our republic Will have
been numbered and we shall cease to be united
people.
We cannot shut our eyes, and ought not if we
could to the spectacle which has lately been present
ed in the MISUNDERSTANDING States of this Union, and
to the efforts which have there been made untor-
tunatcly with too much success, to array section
against section, and people against people,
We have been charged with aggression, when we
have been the party aggrevcd we point for example,
to the constitutional provision for the reclamation OF
our property and ask for the execution of the law
passed to give it practical effect. We are told by
many that that law must be repealed, and by not
few that there is CHER law" than the Constitu-
ton ITSELF in the breasts of Northern freemen. and
that the free North is not to DC made a hunting
ground for the slaves of the South. We ask to be
admitted. to on equal participation in the common
Inheritance and acquisitions Of the country,
and are content to leave with every people the Set
Element of its domestic relations in its own way.
But we are told that slavery must be confined to its
present limits and that there shall be no more slave
territories slave States.
The day may comc-perhaps it will be too late,
when our Northern brethren will discover that the
Southern States intend to be equals in the Union,
or independent out of it."
God grant that this dire alternative may never be
presented to US! Hitherto we have been singularly
blessed as people; and if We are wise and walk
in His way, have every reason to believe that
wonderful destiny awaits
May He so incline the hearts Of us all, that we
may cease to do evil and learn to do we'll and that
may sacrcdly maintain in all their integrity, the
glorious institutions handed down to us by our an
cestors and transmit them unimpaired to our latest
posterity.
The JENNINGS EsTATE.-Who has not heard of
this famous property in England, which waits legal
ownership, and which has almost as many claimants
in the United States as has been developed in the