The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1860-08-29
Cen. Jackson,s Farewell Address.

sense of the American people, to say whether this be-
loved Union shall continue to exist-a Union in which
we have prospered beyond precedenceor whether the
sword of the father shall be drawn against the son.
the sons against the ther and this fair land flooded
with kindred blood Ye veterans who followed Jack
son to New Orleans and throughout the southern Ind
an wars-and the sons of those selfdevotees-we call
upon you to heed the warnings Of the great military
chiefain."
"These cheering and grateful prospects, and these
multiplied favors we owe, under Providence to the
adoption of the federal constitution. It is no ongera
question whether this great country remain happily
united and flourish under present form of govern
ment Experience, the unerrng test Of all human un-
| dertakings has shown the wisdom and foresight of
those who framed it, and has proved that in the union
of these States there is sure foundation for the bright
est hopes of freedom and for the happiness of the
people At every hazard, and by every sacrifice this
| Union must be preserved.
The necessity of watching with jealous anxiety for
the preservation of the union, earnestly pressed
upon his elow-eitizens by the atherof his country
his farewell address. He has there told US that wile
experience shall have demonstrated its impractical
| bility there will Away ne reA3a 80 dstrust the
patriotism of those who, in any quarter may endeavor
to weaken its bonds; and he has cautioned us in the
strongest terms against the formation OF parties,
geographical determinations as of the means which
might disturb union, and to which designing men
would be likely to resort.
The lessons contained in this invaluable legacy of
Washington to his countrymen should be cherished in
the heart of every citizen to the latest generations and
perhaps, at no distant period of time could they be
more usefuly remembered than at the present moment
For when we look upon the scenes that are passing
around u.s. and dwell upon the pages Of his parting ad
dress, his paternal counsels would seem to be not
merely the offspring of wisdom and foresight, but the
voice of prophecy foreelng events and warning of
the evil to come Forty years have passed since that
imperishable document given t. his eountrymen.
The federal constitution was then Egarded by him as
an experiment. and he speaks OF it in his address;
but experiment upon the success of which the best
hopes of his country depended ant all know that
he was prepared lay down his lie, if necessary
secure to it full and fair trial The trial has been
made 1t has succeeded beyond tie prOUdest hopes of
those who framed it, Every quartr Of this widely
tended nation has felt its blessings and shared in the
general prosperity produced by its adoption. But
amid this general prosperity and splendid success the
dangers of which he warned us becoming every day
more evident, and the signs of evil are sufficiently
apparent to awaken the deepest anxiety the bosom
of the patriot We behold systematic efforts publicly
made to SOW the seeds Of scord between different parts
of the United States and place party divons directly
upon geographical distinctions; to excie the south
against the north and the north against tie SOUTH and
to force into the controversy the delicate and
citing topics, upon which it is impossible that large
portion Of the Union can ever speak Without strong
emotions Appeals, too, are constantly made to sec
tiona interests in order to influence the election of the
chief magistrate if it desired tlat he should
favor particular quarter of the country instead of tu
filling the duties Of his station with impartial justice to
al and the possible dissolution Of the Union has at
length become ordinary and familiar subject of dis
cussion Has the warning voice of Washington been
forgotten or have designs already been formed to
sever the Union? Let it not be supposed that mpute
to all Of those who have taken active part in these
unwise and improbable discussions want of patriot
ism or Of public virtue. The honorable feelings OF
State pride and local attachments find place in the
bosons of the most enlightened md pure But while
such men are conscious Of their integrity and
honesty of purpose they ought to forget that the
citizens of other States political brethren and
that however mistaken they may be in their views the
great body of them are equally honest and upright
With themselves Mutual suspicious and reproaches
NAV in time create mutual hostility, and artful and
designing men will always be fond who are ready to
omeu these fatal divisions and infame the natural
ieaousies of different sections # the country. The
history of the world is full of such examples, and
especially the history of republics
What have you to gain by diviion and dissenson?
Deude not yourselves with the belief that breach once
made may be afterwards repaired If the Union IS
once severed the line of separation will grow wider and
wider, and the controversies whih are now debated
and settled in the halls of Legislation, will then be tried
lin fields Of battle and be determined by the sword.
Neither should you deceive yourselves with the hope,
THAT the first line of separation would be the permanent
one and that nothing but harmony and concord would
Ibe found in the associations formed upon the
dissolution Of this Union. Loca interests would Still
be found there and unchastened ambition. And if the
recollection of common dangers, in which the people
of these United States stood side by side against the
common foe; the memory of Victories won by then
united vaIor the prosperity and happiness they have
enjoyed under the present constitutions the proud name
they bear as citizens Of this greet republic; if these
recolections and proofs of common interest are not
strong enough to bind togetheras one people, what
tie will hold this Union disseryei? The first line oi
separation would not last for single generation; new
fragments would be torn off new haders would spring
up and this great and glorious republic would soon be
broken into a multitude of petty States; armed fol
nuta aggressons loaded with taxes to pay armies and
leaders, seeking aid against each )ther from foreign
powers insulted and trampled upon by the nations o
Europe until harassed with confes, and humbed and
debased in spirit they would be leady to submit tc
the absolute dominion Of any military adventurer ano
to surrender their liberty for the sake of repose 1t
impossible to look on the consequences that would
inevitably follow the destruction OF this government
and not feel indignant when hear cold calculations
about the value of the Union and have so constantly
before us line of conductso well calculated to weaken
its ties
There is too much at stake allow pride passion
to influence your decision Never for moment believe
that the great body ofthe citizens oany State or States
deliberately intend to do wrong Iney may aLuel
! the influence of temporary excitement or misguided
opinions commit mistakes; they may be mlsled tor
time by suggestions of sefinteres but in community
so enlightened and patriotic the people OF the United
States argument viii make them sensible of theil
errors; and when convinced they will be ready to repa
them If they have no higher or better motives tc
govern them they will at least perceive that their owl
Interest requires them to be just to Others they hope
! to receive Justice at their hands.
Butin order to maintain the Union unimpaired it i
absolutely necessary that the laws passed by the con
stituted authorities should be faithfully executed IL
every part of the country and that every good ctzer
should at all times stand ready to put down, with th'
combined force of the naton every attempt at unlaw
fu resistance under whatever pretext may be made
or whatever shape it may assume Unconstitutional O
oppressive laws may no doubt be passed by congress
either from erroneous views the want Of due consd
Grafton. If they are within the reach Of judiea
authority the remedy easy and PEACEFUL and if from
the character Of the law it is abuse Of power no
within the control Of the judiciary, then free discussion
and calm appeals and to the justice of th
peoDe will not fail to redress the wrong. But unit
the law shall be declared void by the courts repeale
bv congress. no individual combination ofndividuals
can be justified in forcbly resisting its execution.
is impossible that any government continue to exis
Eupon any other principles 1t would cease TO be
government, and be unworthy of the name if it hat
not the power to enforce the execution OF its own law
within the sphere of its own action.