Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-05-18
"THE UNION AND ITS USES"

We cannot approve the tone and spirit of an art-
cle under this caption, which appeared in "The South
of Friday last AS 1t appears to this article pre-
seuts an unwholesome confusion of sentiments and
principles. patriotic reverence for the Union,
high appreciation ofits great purposes and enthu
siastic fidelity to its binding engagements cannot pro-
pery be identified with the selfish scbempgs Of pro-
tectionists, monoposts and consolidationists. The
broad line Of distinction between the earnest ncuca
tion of "self sacrificing devotion to the Union" and
the transparent attempts to invoke this sentiment for
the accomplishment Of unwarrantsble purposes s as
apparent aid distinct the line of demarcstion be
tween religion and hypocrisy. There is spirit OF
earnest attachment this Union pervading the hearts
of our people, which ought not to be denounced as a
cunning idolary, sneered at as Fictitious "Union
worship" 1t has found frequent expression in the
oupourings Of patriotic ervor, both before and since
the crisis of 1918. Neither Washpgtons farewell ad.
dress, the eloquent appeals Of patriots still in our
midst can be confounded with the spurious declama-
tlons of sesh partisan, do they at all merit the
satirical designation of "Hosannas to the Union"
The Union is compact between sovereign States
and so far from impsirDg, this conederaive princ.
pie ought to strengthen the reverence and fidelity
dne to legitimate government. 1t is not a rope Of
sand to be severed by transient caprice. 1t ia not
sordid bargain for the adjustment of selfish e1ped'
ents. 1t is the embodiment of sacred covenant, by
which the separate States have jointly pledged their
yslty to the perpetuson Of civil liberty 1t proves
the best security for this great object ever yet de-.
vised BY human wisdom. 1t has established gov.
ernment for purposes Of general welfare. Equally
with the separate governments Of the States, this
general government is entitled to the obedience Of
each individual citizen. Neither government can
pretend TO the exercise of sovereignty. Sovereignty
remains intact in the hands Of the people OF the States
respectively. But each government ls the lawful
agent Of the sovereign and, as such, claims the trl
butte of loyalty and allegiance at the hands of the
citizen.
There is no degradation in these terms allegiance
and "loyslty." Like every other name of moral
obligation, they have, indeed, been perverted to an
improper use and employed for the incucation OF
false theories. But they are justly susceptible OF
correct employment, and We have no other terms by
which 10 express the proper subecton of the citizen
to competent authority aud bis fidelity to the govern
mental institutions maintained for his benefit The
citizen lie not bound by bis voluntary engagement
ment, State or Federal. The State Government is
erected by the voice OF majority OF freemen entl
tied to the elective franchise. The Federal Govern
ment originates in a compact-not among indlvidua!
ctzens-but among the Sovereign States. When
ever either government shall fail TO command loyalty
and allegiance, it loses at once that vitality which
sprinps from the willing obedience Of the governed.
So far as the great object Of free government-so far
as the maintenance of civil liberty is concerned-"it
is thenceforth good for nothing" Whenever the
Union shall cease to inspire the sentiment Of loyal
devotion and willing allegiance the period ol its e1ls.
teuce is finished.
One Of two great evils must inevitably attend such
a contamination. The citizens Of g common coun'
try must become aliens to each other-they must be
re.orgsuised under separate contederaciea-perha
under separate despotisms-or they must CO exist
under one despotic consolidation. We eregard ether
result as too calsmtous for any prospective descrp
ton. When truth and honor, and justice shall re-
ouire such an ordeal, We trust that strength may be
granted for it's endurance. If we encounter 1t at sll
it will be with heavy hearts, mournfu retrospect al
past benefits to humanity an unaffected grief over
the downfall of the fsirest hope OF Democratic gov
| ernment
We have dwelt at length on this theme, because We
believe that publications like that of our cotempora
| ~ have tendency TO impair that devotion 10 the
Union which we consider the beet safeguard OF State
sovereignty and individual liberty, and which we
have made il our task in far as our limited efforts
can avail to preserve warm and pure in the hearts
| of the people.