The Washington union., 1857-04-21

when they want 10 it, and outside that covenant
when they want to abuse it, Lstra mayos e ezra-whin
the citadel OF power whenever they can profit by it, but
without the citadel when asked 10 protect it, A thrifty
and convenient continuance, truly But IL any politicians
maintain this attitude, all other politicians have
equal right TO maintain it, And in such conflict, what
become of the constitution that fixed and organic
standard by which public actions must be judged and by
which any departure from fundamental principles
alone be conectedi Why, we should have confusion
coniounded than We should have no better
security for life liberty and estate than had when wild
in woods the savage The lion of encroachment would
leap all the fences of the constitution and toss laws
and freedom in the air We should witness the downfall
OF the Union; dissolution of society; the poation of
property, and all the dreful caamtes OF civil war
Most OF the subjects which used to divide political par
ties have been happily settled according to the wishes and
principles of the democratic party One potent element OF
dscord however, continues TO disturb u.s. but IL is one
which receive countenace from any principle of the
constitution from any notions entertained when that in
strment signed When or great and god-like ances
tors of the revolution went into general convention to
settle the terms and conditions OF the concderacy sa
very existed among throughout the States. In that
august and patriotic body agreed that the stitu-
ton Of slavery should be let alone BY the general govern
mcnt and be under the sole guidance OF the respective
States that might think proper to maintain it, And the
only authority Of the general government over it is
wholly of conservative character to wit to protect
from wanton interference and ofcous abuse The
great statesman who gave TO the country the blessings
of the Union and model Of good government also
acted statute to require any state to whom any person
held to lawful service in another State should flee to
render him demand to the State from whence he He'd
Now to construe power protect into right to
lest power to into power to destroy is sole
cism in reason and monster of injustice.
But II there was no express provision IN the laws and
constitution upon the subject of slavery that institution
is fairly protected under the general principles and condi
tons of our political association
When the old thirteen States wrestcd their dignity and
independence from the British yoke they became free,
sovereign, and independent States and such,
free act other independent States might of right
act In that free and equal condition they entered into
mutual confederacy, by the express articles OF WHICH
they agreed to surrender to the central government
common head certain specified powers for common de-
fence and general weare each State resevng unto her.
SELF and according TO her pleasure her fesuary powers.
And that the awless hand of arbitrary power should
have preext seize what the covenant Of the
tracing parties forbade it to ouch the constitution
amended to declare plainly does, that all powers not
expressly granted proper and necessary to execute
the delegated powers reserved to the States respect
ycy or to the people, In fixing the family compact
offensive distinctions and dishonoring neriory
permitted to aront the dignity to wound the pride Of
any State Each State took her seat within the family
circle with the badges Of equality seated her brow
And wide as tho circle may become and as many as it
shall contain in future times sense virtue, and justice
enough should be always found within it to preserve it
unhurt by human violence, matter from what quarter
it may Our States and their duties forever should
be distinct the billows, yet one as the sea.
Yet this circle only be preserved by strict and
honest observance Of the sacred principles upon which it
and the hardest to adjust The first dark crimson drop
that shall fall from any wound in civil strife will widen
till ii swels into ocean OF blood 1t is with kindred
States as II is with individuals, who unite for common
end Mutual confidence and respect lie at the bottom Of
harmony and welfare, and will honest reconcile
ment obliteate the scars which the knife of dscord has
made upon the heart If any Of the United States has
right to meddlc with the internal of her
States the other States have the right: for the
rights equal States themselves equal What would
become of State sovereignty and reserved powers if Texas
could dictate to New York what estate the latter should
hold what labor she should employ or to what country
she must conhne It'll
II Massachusetts, constitutonay prohibit Virginia
carrying her property to Kansas why cannot Virginia
prohibit Massachusetts, from carrying her property there
There is nothing in the constitution in the history OF
our country which allows either of those prohibitions to
the exclusion of the other Yet it is lamenabo to see
the efforts being made In certain quarters to create
difference in the sovereign, constitutional powers OF the
States and to censre yy and to upoo the federal
Judiciary for exercising legal and conceded power to
pound tho rights and duties of citizens within the
ing and intendment Of the constitution
The avowed motives for oipious conduct seldom the
real ones and after the Intermediates have been
warned that their conduct is offensive
In other countries when the monarch has fairly
qured what Others want q warlke league is formed
against him. on the pretext hypocrticay started that
he distrbs the balance OF power and has become dan
gerous to other States They then proceed to reduce the
monarch to thM standard of impotence which the
leaguers apply to everybody but themselves.
To adjust this socacd balance Of power large armies
raised and blood and treasure drained from the ex-
hased veins and purses of submissive subjects till taxed
and exhausted nature endure more. Then the cs-
tate Of the victim is sliced and divided among the ad-
iusters of the balance to reimburse the labor and ex
penses of the process Poland and Hungary but sam
ples of many such This is called the adjustment Of the
balance Such modest arbters Of others rights never
condcscend TO notice the misery and yassalage around
them. No; sin may beset them, and crimes degrade
thc but the r-seeng phanthropist bcholds them not
'Iis distance lends enchanment to the view and the
I,.la Jans ~ fhntxnn IT,-
der this steEl of perverted optics the remotest evil is
always the greatest and cxces and stimulates mighty
sectional crusade against IT,
Such false and hollow notions Of humanity must bring
upon any country where they prevail the worst o evils
and the sorest shame.
This nsatiate desire to mede with the social concerns
of the separate States has been whettcd and abeed by
long heads and longer purses from abroad We have
never been forgiven for breaking the colonial power OF
the British Crown, and wrenchng liberties from
lawless rule. Arms have been tried in vain to avenge
the insult and to oblitcate the disgrace Vis uHa ortor
is the maxim and the policy under which we conquered
the British King Diide mpera the competing max
n which furnishes the only hope of any ability to
qucr ns Money bribery, and corruption have mighty
sway but no matter what powers may combine against
us we shall be able To defy them if only to ourselves
be faithful and lust No power comprehends these SOL
emn admoniions with higher soicitude than old and
seeples enemies abroad If they sever the Union OF
this country by any means they will be certain to do It,
They might then expect to countect the great truths
and lessons we have taught They would force the Amer
lean schoolmaster to take backyard step they would
quickly extngush the last traces Of the republic and
continue booted and spuneJ to ride mankind as unre-
ssting beasts.