The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-13
Cause and Effect Explained by an Inn
partial Review OF our Political
HistOrys
IsuBJEcr OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Al


History.
SUBJECT CONTINUED-NUMBER 4.
To the Editor of the Pioneer and Democrat
At the time of the adoption of the Fed
eral Constitution large portion of the
American people, feared that it conferred
dangerous powers upon the General Gov
ernment, the tendency of which would be
towards Capitalization and the gradual an>
Inhalation of State sovereignty; and even-
tually, the destruction of popular freedom.
The especial friends and defenders of the
Constitution, as it was, took the name of
federalists, calling the Others anti federal
lists. The latter, during the administration
of Adams, became thoroughly organized as
the Republican Party. The federalists,
when in the ascendency, construed the Con-
stitution literally, centralizing all the power
they could grasp, in their own hands.
The Democrats we're at the same time
strict constructionists, claiming that the
General Government had no right to exer-
else any powers not explicitly granted by
the Constitution.
When, afterwards, the Democrats ac-
quired power under Jefferson, they became
in turn liberal constructionists, and the fed.
eralists, strict constructionlsts. But the
difference was this: The Democrats, when in
possession of the Government, construed
the Constitution so as to favor the diffusion
of power, the Federalists to centralize it.
Jefferson, disregarding bis doctrine of
strict construction, purchased Louisiana,
which the federalists denounced as fragrant
violation ofthe Constitution, because not di-
rectly authorized by it.
Federalism early became the embodiment
of New England politics, and its most in
huential champions, aho instructed the
people, were the New England clergy.
1t is unquestionably true, that the most
malicious, selfish, INSCRIPTIONS and danger.
GUS class of demagogues that have ever
mingled N the strife of parties, in this or
other countries, have been the clerical poll
ticians
These are the bad men, who, above all
others, educated the New England people
in the false and destructive doctrines of
disloyalty to the Union, teaching them that
treason was piety and that revolt was duty.
The people of New England are as con.
scientious as any in the world; and it re
quired all the casuistry of political clergy
to reconcile the New England conscience,
with the new logic of treason.
1t took them from the time of the elec
tion of Jefferson to the year 1909 to get the
people fairly started upon revolutionary
movement against the Government of the
United States.
In that year, they saw the beginning of
their ~ ,inaugurated in the metropoli-
tan city of New England. An official
town meeting" Of the citizens of Boston
"resolved itself into hostility to laws of
Congress-the embargo acts.
This meeting resolved, "not voluntarily
to assist in carrying it into execution and
that all who should do so ought to be con-
sidered as enemies to the Constitution of the
United States, enemies of the State of
Massachusetts, and hostile to the liberties
of the people,"
This was first step. In the same year,
the Legislature OF Massachusetts passed
law nullifying the obnoxious acts of Con-
gress, and prohibiting, under severe penal
ties, the execution of the "Enforcmg Act"
The Legislature disclaimed any inten,
ion to violate the Constitution or break
up the Union, but asserting ga distinction
between the Constitution and the Admins.
tration," solemnly resolved, that "On such
occasions, passive obedience to laws of Con-
gress] would on the part Of the people, be
breach of their allegiance; and, on our part,
treachery and perjury"
Thus was actual treason made a con-
scientious duty.
1t SO happened, accidentally, that JET
fersonian democrat was acting Governor.
He vetoed this Mass acbusetts notification
act, and thus prevented conflict between
that State and the General Government.
The spirit of treason was then 80 strong
throughout New England, that John
Quincy Adams, twenty years after, stated
in writing. that Their object was, and
bad been for several years, dissolution Of
tie Union. he knew (he said) from incon>