The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-09-05
Spirit Of 9eulotratp,
President Jackson's Farewell
Address.


Address.
General jackson, following the example
Of Washington, at his retiring from the
Presidency issued Farewell Address,
which was principally devoted to the dan
ger of disunion, and TO the preservation
of harmony and good feeling between the
different sections of the country. In
these days, when sectional feelings are be-
ing wrought to the highest pitch, the wise
connsels of Jackson, should be treasured
in every patriots heart. He said:
We behold systematic efforts publicly
made to sow the seeds of discord between
diffrent parts of the United States, and
to place party divisions directly upon
geographical distinctions; to excite the
south against the north, and the north
against the south, and to force into the
controversy the most delicate and exciting
topics, upon which it is impossible that a
large portion of the Union can ever speak
without strong emotions. Appeals, too,
are constantly made to sectional interests,
in order to influence the election of the
chief magistrate, as if it were desired that
be should favor particular quarter of
the country, instead of fulfilling the duties
of his station with impartial justice to all;
and the possible dissolution of the Union
has at length become an ordinary and fa-
miliar subject of discussion.
elias the warning voice of Washing
ton been forgotten? or have designs al
ready been formed to sever the Union?
Let il not be supposed that impute to
part in these unwise and Improbable dis
cussions, want of patriotism or of pub
lie virtue. The honorable feelings of
State pride and local attachments find a
place in the bosoms of the most enlight.
ened and pure. But while such men are
conscious of their own integrity and hon
esty.o Of purpose, they ought never to for
get that the citizens of other States are
their 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
may in time create mutual hostility, and
artful and designing men will always be
found who are ready to foment these fatal
divisions, and to iEaame the natural jeal-
ousies Of different sections of the countryl
The history of the world is full of such
examples. and especially the history Of
Republics.
"What have you to gain by division
and dissension? Delude not yourselves
with the belief that breach, once made
may be afterward repaired. If the Union
is once severed, the line of separation
will grow wider and wider, and the con.
troversies which are now debated and set.
tied in the halls of legislation, will ther
be tried in fields of battle, and determin.
ed by the sword. Neither should you
deceive yourselves with the hope that the
first line of separation would be the per.
manent one, and that nothing but harmo'
ny and concord would be found in tha
new associations formed upon the disso.
luton of this Union Local interests
would still be found there, and unchas
tened 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 o.
victories won by their united valor; the
prosperity and happiness they have enjoy.
ed under the present Constitution; the
proud name they bear as citizens of this
great Republic-if all these recollection,
and proofs of common interests are moi
strong enough to bind US together as one
people, what tie will hold united the new
divisions of empire, when these bonds
have been broken and the Union dissev
cred? The first line of separation would
not last for single generation; new frag
ments would be torn of, new leader
would spring up, and this great and glo
rious republic would soon be broken init
multitude Of petty States, without com
inerce, without credit. jealous of one an
other, armed fo- mutual aggressions, load
ed with taxes to pay armies and leaders
seeking aid against each other from for
eign powers, insulted and trampled upol
by the nations of Europe, until ha-rassct
by conflicts, aud humbled and debased il
spirit they would be ready to submit t.
the absolute dominion of any military ad
yenturer, and TO surrender their libert
for the sake of repose.
at is impossible to look on the conse
quepces that would inevitably follow th
destruction of this government, and nc
feel indignant when we hear cold calcula
tious about the value of the Union an
hasesbefo-e us line Of conduct so we
calculated to weaken its ties"
Wr The following paragraph wa
originally printed in the English Quarter
~ Review, in March, 1925:
ave are not advocates for visionar
projects that interfere with useful estat
1scAc,nute No coout thu idao of q roi