The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-09-05
From the Nashville National Union
John Bells Record.

! From the Nashville National Union
John Bells Record.
Mr.. Bell entered the public service. as a
representative in Congress, at the age OF
! thirty -one years. II was in 1897, towards
the close of the Presidential term 81 John
Qui,cey Adams. and shortly preceding the
election Of Gen. Jackson to the Presidency.
During the marked and eyentful administra-
ton Of the latter. many great and exciting
questions arose and were decided, for good or
evil. All the strong passions of our nature were
reused and brought into action by the great.
est talent and address IN both sides, and the
very fabric Of the government was shaken
and convulsed TO its centre. Though acting,
throughout this exciting period, with party,
with the principle of which, he in the main
/ agreed. and to which. so far as principle was
concerned, he was eper faithful. yet Dir.
Bell was MT 50 blindly attached to the one
party or opposed 70 the other. as TO be insen.
sible to the motives which probably actuated
bnth. More inteat upon watching and nntlng
j the peculiar iendencirs OF nnr system OF
goyernmeDt-the dangers which beset it,
the points most exposed 10 attack, and those
10 be particularly guartled-more intent upon
the solution Of these problems. than jealous
in the success Of every party movement, he.
at times, incurred the censure Of some Of
his party friends for wha, appeared to them
Indifference to the interest Of .'the party"
The truth is. that the qualities &c Mr..
Bell's mind and the views which, at a very
early perind Of his public life. he formed ol
the nature and tendencies Of our govern
meut and Of the duties af American states.
men, utterly disqualified him from ever
becoming the blind follower of any party
leader, however great and distinguished, or
a successful party leader himself, If The rom
diti"n u such leadership were ready com
plane on his part With all the dictates Of
mere party expediency.
i What these Characteristic qualities OF Mr..
BELLS mind are--what his views Of the ten.
denotes and dangers pertaining to our
system Of government. and nf the duties n
American siatesmen-snl what the princi-
Piles which have governed him throughout
the whole Of his long public life, can be
made very clearly toappear By references to
a few passages in his political record.
i Mr.. BELL rs 1899.
ms OPINIONS A. TO IHg SAFEST NODE nr cnS.
sTRriSo THE coSsrTvrIos-THE PRINCIPLE
or cnNPRaNIsE.
The following passage occurs in speech
delivered BY Mr.. Bell in the House pf Re-
prcsrn,aiives, on the 10th &c February, 1899,
on bill fnr the preservation and repair ii
The Cumberland road:
While am mon The subject of this III.
versity rf opinion which exists. as 70 the
safest mole ~ constituting The Constitution.
J hnrr i will not be consideied improper or
presumptuous in me 10 make a remark or
two in regard 20 the two great parties which
divide this country. upon III questions ~
this Kind. They had their origin a. FAR back
- ,he form,iion of the Federal compact.
Their foundations we're laid IN the difference
of sentiment which prevailed AZ that ime.
as n the Wisdom Of the provisions Of that
INSTRUMENT. They are, in short. the fruit n
that dlscord of opinions and feelings. without
4 compromise n which al the time, We
should have had no Constitution al all. Ole
opiniun was that sufficient power was moi
conferred unon the Federal Government 10
assure The quiet. happiness, and prosperity
Of the country: while The opinion Of others
vas. that the power actually conceded would
prove TIM strong Tor the preservation ~ lib.
efty. The INST jealous and sctiye of the
partlzans On both sides never abandoned
their cfeetls; bnih parties became Sufficiently
powerful to propagate their opinions and as
one or the orher predominated in The ad
minisiration ni The Government, 4 tineturr
n the favorable notions Of each was infused
into its measures. Both have sought, by
constructions. to make the Constitution what
they wished il 10 be IN fact the one by
enlarging its powers beyond its letter and
spirit. The other BY narrosing them down 10
the standard nf their wishes. Although il
will be seen that know and feel what party
has had the sscendency Cor several Years
past. and where the great danger il. vet il
may be said that both these great parties are
~ some degree hostile. not 20 liberty. not 10
their country. but to the Constitution - Il i
written; 70 that instrument which we are
bound by the most sacred obligations to sup.
port 20 that instrument 10 which, for one
am disposed 10 cling. with or without such
modification a. may be effected By amend.
pent Both the great parties 10 which 4
have alluded seem 10 me 20 have abandoned
the principle II compromise. I would al.
here 10 i a The only principle by which the
states we're able 70 agree upon any compact,
and without an scquirscence in which, We are
not destined long 70 snjos the blessing Of the
one adopted. H., sir, who shall renounee
ne extremes of both these gfest parties a.
dangerous to order and union Ne, Who, by