The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-09-21


ernment have been systematically directed
TO subversion Of the rights and influence
of the States, and the upbuilding Of con-
solidated central government. We might
point you to horde of federal officers in
every city and maritime town, whose chief
merits consists in fealty 10 the hand which
dispenses official favor, and the bebest Of
the oligarchy at the bidding Of which that
hand is opened in largessess or closed in
prescription. We might point you to the
efforts now in progress to subvert, through
judicial decisions the rig ghts of the free
States within their own borders, and to an
mex them as pasture and hunting grounds
for human chattels; to the domain where
free speech is punished as crime, and
human bondage encouraged a. safe and
salutary foundation for national, prosperity
and greatness. : 1t is upon such merits as
we have briefly shadowcd forth, that this
administration bases its claims to the con-
fidence aud support Of nm intelligent com
munity. Nor is.it difficult to discern the
well spring from which flows the principle
that gives vitality TO the measures upon
which we have been called TO animadvcrt.
The lion skin of once honored Democracy
cannot be stretched to cover the ear r-marks
of Federalism that has out-lived the raw
ages of years, and still fiourishes green
and vigorous amidst the frosts of time and
the infrmities Of age.
In view of the facts and deductions thus
stated, we arraign the present federal ad
ministration at the bar Of puclic judgment,
for its departure from the fundamental prin-
ciples upon which our country was based,
for reckless disregard of the welfare Of the
whole country, and its palpable ministra-
tion to sectional demands and predatory
interests.
We araign it for it's persistent efforts to
suborn and control the Representatives Of
the people in their legislative capacity, and
to render the law-makipg branch Of the
government mere stipendiary record of
executive edicts. We arrsign it for its
manifest intention to pack and control the
federal judiciary, and through its usurpa-
tions to wrest the Constitution to ends of
oppression rather than protection and the
subversion Of state authority and indepen-
dence. We arraign it for its reckless ex-
travagance, in squandering the substance OF
our people upon unnecessary objects and
for the enriching Of parasitic politicians
making the expenditures Of single year of
peace under this administration, erceed the
entire expenses of the government from its
foundation TO the close Of Jeferson's ad
ministration, a period Of t'osnty years
We arraign it for its interference in elec-
tions, through hordes of mercenaries whose
chief recommendation to official favor is
found to lie in their ability to pack conven-
tions and subvert the purity Of the elective
franchise; Of which most notable exam
pie is found in the recent election in the
aFf&, ss8apgrfssfiQRHl r. dlstsctt IF Missouri We
forts to turn the government from its lini-
ted objects and restricted action, into q
virtual monarchy, around which the states
shall revolve as mere satellites, whilst the
President sits enthroned rs the ruling spir-
il of the usurpation. And finally, we ar
raipn it as false to the highest object for
which government is established, the Hber-
tn of the citizen-for its persistent efforts to
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dom by solemn compact-for its persecu
ton of freemen, for no other cause than
their devotion to the memory and example
of our patriot fathers, thus alternating ou'
citizens from the government of their choice
and rendering our people the victims o.
discoid at home, and our country an object
of contempt abroad. 1t is to condemn ant
rectify abuses such as these, that we invite
the cooperation Of all friends of sounc
constitutional government, no matter by
what political designation heretofore known
or under what banner enrolled. The exi
gencies of the times, the perils to which
our institutions are exposed under the s a!
of rulers weak and wicked; call for a uniol
of all whose patriotic impulses promp
them to rise above devotion to mere part,
interests, and who can behold in the wei
fare Of a country abundant cause for bury
ing personal prejudices and minor difieren
ces of opinion.