The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-08-03

convention which adopted the constitution of
the United States who was prepared to say
that, that constitution was the best within it.
SELF but each consoled himself with the re
Election that although it might have imperfec-
tons, it was the best the States of the confed-
Grafton would bear.
Washington illustrates this fact in bis letter
communicating the constitution to those States
for their acceptance. In this letter he says:
at is at all times difficult to draw with precision
the line between those rights which must be surren-
dered and those which may be reserved, and the
present occasion this difficulty increased by a
difference among the several States to their situa
ton extent habits aud particular interests In all
our deliberations this subject we kept steadily in
view that which appears to the greatest interest
Of every true American-the consolidation of our
Union, in which is involved prosperity felicity,
safety perhaps national existence. This impor-
ant consideration seriously and deeply impressed
minds led each State in the convention to be less
rigid points Of inferior magnitude than might have
been otherwise expected and thus the constitution
which we now present, Is the result of spirit of
amty, and of that mutual Difference and concession
which the popularity of our political situation rem
dered INDISPENSABLE That it will meet the full and
entire appreciation of every State is not perhaps to
to be expected but each will doubtless consider that
had her interest alone been consulted the
might have been particularly disagreeable inuri-
to Others that it is liable to few exceptions as
could reasonably have been expected, we hope and
believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of
that country so dear to us ALL and her freedom
and happiness, is most ardent wish"
Such were the sentiments expressed by the
father of his country" on the 18th day of
September, 1887, and such the spirit in which
the constitution Of the United States had its
origin. Washington Scion like. did not claim
for bis great work that it was ''the best within
itself, nor did he suppose that it would meet
with the full and entire appreciation of every
State, but he believed that it was '1iable to as
few exceptions as could reasonably be expect
ed" Three score and ten years elapse, and a
voice is heard diseoursing dispassionately in
the senate upon the inharmoniousness Of the
two systems which were harmonised by Wash
ington and his contemporaries. and gravely as
serting that one must of necessity yield to the
superiority Of the other-that they are natur-
ally antagonistic, and cannot coalesce for the
achievement of prominent national grandeur
Its not enough to answer that the develop
ments within the embraces Of the Union under
the workings of the constitution have been up
on scale of magnificent rapidity never be-
fore equalled in any country-that our system
has been equal to any emergency. whether in
peace or in war, TO which it has ever been sub
mitted-that even now, when its compatible
ty is found by eyes that can penetrate almost
into the centre of milstones, to be an impossi-
bIity, the highest imaginable state Of pros
perity and contentment vouchsafed to any PEG
pie that has existed on earth is enjoyed By all
classes and conditions of our inhabitants
Still, the constitution has proved to be a
failure because it toerates African Slavery
If wheat and rye are produced to advantage il
New York and Massachusetts, by white labor,
SO must cotton be produced by white labor in
Alabama, rice by white labor in South Caro-
lima, and sugar by white labor in Louisiana
So says black republicanism, through its re-
cognised organ and oracle.
We entertain a confident belief that, as in
time gone by, SO in time to come, the constitu-
lion will be fully equal to any ordeal, however
severe, to which it may be subjected. We
cannot mistake that nine out of every ten citi-
sens Of the Union evidently desire continue
ion of the blessings which it has SO signaIly
upon all who have lived under its
provisions, and they only need to be thorough
y informed of the fact that the doctrine Of
presidential aspirants-such as constitutes the
platform upon which the black republicans
tand-is in open rebellion bit, 10 excite them
oresolute action in its defence. When it shall
appear to them that there is are
public to save, they will cease to consider that
hey have party to serve.
At the next presidential election, the pure
ountry loving portion of the democratic party
Fil assume new character. The issue has
'een raised for testing the real strength Of the
Union upon the principles IN which it had its
rigin. The patriots Of the opposition do not
brink from demonstration on the subject.
hey entertain no fears whatever but that the
Jnlon Is quite as popular IN proportion 10 the
itizens which it contains as it was the day that
came into being, and that its enemies will
e furnished with annihating evidence that
ach is tie case on the 18th of November,
$50; and, with the constitution faithfully ad-
our career will be uninterrupted
inward until we attain the summit, If summit
attainabe by salutary progress, Of national
ERECTION and magniicence.
Let us do our duty-our whole duty-next
ear, andsposterity viii cherish our memory as
e cherish the memory of the fathers and
'unders Of our system. Let every citizen who
as patriotic heart in his bosom, act now and
GREATER upon the principle that although our
ystem may mot be the best within itself, it
''the best the Americans will bear"
But this opposition party is new knk what
oes it mean? What does its founders propose dor?
The above is taken from an article in late
umber of the Empire State, and as that
rint seems to be asking for information, We
i'll try to enlighten it,
The democracy have now had control Of the
oyernment until every thing has rot into CON