Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-03-11

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sister States from each other, and has even
seri sasly endangered the very existence of
the Union. Nor has the danger yet entirely
ceased. Uader our system there is a remedy
for all mere political evils in the sound sense
and sober Judgment of the people. Time is
a great corrective. Political subjects which
but afew years ago excited and exasperated
tho public mind have passed away and are
now nearly forgotten. Bat this question of
domestic slavery il of far greater impprstnce
than any mere political question, because,
SHOULD the agitation continue, it may event.
uaily endanger the personal safety of a large
portion IF our countrymen where the insti-
tuition exists. In that event, no form of
government, however admirable in itself. and
however productive of material benefits, can
Compensate for the loss of peace and dames-
tic security around the family altar. let
every Uaion>loving man, therefore, exert
his best influence to suppress this agitation,
which, since the recent legislation of Cons
gress, is without any legitimate object.
Il ia an vii omen of the times that men have
undertaken to calculate the mere iterial
value of the Union. Reasoned estinates
have been presented Of the pecuniary profits
and local advantages which would result to
different States and sections from its dissilu-
ton, and of the comparative injuries which
such an event woald infiict on o her States
AID sections. Even descending to this low
and narrow view Of the mighty question. al.
such calculations are at fault. The hare
reference to a single consideration will be
conclusive on this point. We at present en-
joy a free trade throughout our xtensive and
expanding country. such as the world has
never witnessed. This trade is conducted
on railroads and canals-1n noble rivers and
arms of the sea-which bind together the
North and the South, the East an ! the West
of our confederacy. Annihilate this trade,
arrest its free progress by the geographical
lines of Jealous and hostile States, aud you
destroy the prosperity and onward march
of the whole and every part, and involve all
in one common ruin. But such eonsidera-
tons. important as they are in themselves,
sink into insigniisance when we reflect on
the terrific evils which would result from
disunion to every portion of the confederaey
Ito the North not more than to the South,
to the East not more than to the West
These shall not attempt to portray because
| feel an humble confidence that the kind
Providence which inspired our fathers with
wisdom to frame the most perfect form of gov
eminent and Union ever devised by man
will not suffer it to perish until it shall have
been peacefully instrumental, by its example
in the extension of civil and religions liberty
throughout the world.
Mkt in Importance to the maintenance o
the constitution and the Union is the duty o
preserving the government free from tn,
faint, or even the suspicion, of corruption
Pahlic virtue is the vital spirit of republics
and history proves that when this has decay
ed, and the love of money has usurped it
place, although the forms of free governmen
NAV remain for a season, the substance ha
departed forever.
Our present fnauciai condition is withou
a parallel in history. NJ nation has eve
befors been embarrassed firm too large
surplus in its treasury Tnis Utmost neces
sarily gives birth to extravaganza Legislation
1t produces wild schemes Of expenditure, an
} begets a race of spectators and j.hberl
} whose ingenuity 10 exerted in contriviug an
| promoting expedieuts toobtain public none,
t The purity Of Official agents, whether RICH
fully or ~wrongfuily. ID suspected and tt
cha acter of the government suffers in I'll
$ estimation of the people. This is in itself
e very great evil.
The natural mode of relief from this en-
barrassment is to appropriate the surplus
the treasury to great national objects, f
which a clear warrant can be found in ii
constitution. Among these | might menti,
the extinguishment Of the public debt,
reasonable increase of the navy which is
present inadequate to the protection of o
vast tonnage afost, now greater than that
any other nation, as well as to the dsfen
l. OF our extended sea coast.
1t is beyond all question the true princiy
that no more revenue ought to be collect
r from the people than the amount necessa
If to defray the expenses of a wise, economic
III and efficient administration Of the COVE
g. II. 49, sLsz -os.e 49,
he to resort to a modification of the tariff, a
rs this has, l trust, been accomplished in 81
ur a manner as to do as little injury as N
so have been practicable to our domestic maj
ty features, especially those necessary for
defence of the country. Any discriminat
or against a particular branch, for the purp
he of benefttiag corporations, individuals,
he interests would have been unjust TO the l
Fy of the community and inconsistent VITA &
to spirit offairness and equality watch ough
t, govern in the adjustment OF a revenae TAI
he But the squandering of the public mol
nd sinks into comparative insignihe4nee q
cir temptation to corruption when compa
of with the ~squandering Of the public lands.
Sc No nation in the tide of time has G
lat been blessed with so rich and noble
be inheritance as we enjoy in the public lar
red In administering this important trust, VII
as 1t may be wise to grant portions OF them
me the improvement of the remainder, yet
should never forget that it is our card
re- policy TO reserve these lands, as much as I
of be, for actual settlers, and this at model
for prices. We shall thus net only best prom
the prosperity of the new States and Teri
tile ries by furnishing them a hardy
di- independent raca of honest aud industri
to e~itizops, but shall secure homes for
tes, children and our children's children, as
|. it as for those exiles from foreign shores
may seek in this country to improve t
pod condition, and to enjoy the blessings of
yer and religious liberty. Such emigrants /
my done much to promote the growth
ska prosperity of the country. They have PR
be faithful both in peace and in war. A
the becoming citizens, they are entitled VI
T a the eontitution and laws, to be placed
| as perfect equality with native born citiz
5 it and 10 this character they should eve
lble kindly recognized.
aIes The federal constitution is grant
the the States to Congress of certain spt
pan powers and the question whether this .
ach should be literally or strictly construed,
ing more or less, divided political parties
n 70 the beginning. Without entering into
iah argument, | desire to state, at the commit
OWN ment of my administration, that long e