The Placer herald., 1861-07-27
I COMMUNICATED,

view that we find so many of the intelligent adj
herents of the Democracy buckling on their armor
for the present struggle 1T isa sort of hereditary
instinct which runs in favor Of all wars in which
our country is engaged. 1t limits the examina-
alton Of the principles and the magnitude Of the
issues involved in this terrible contest, to the
maintenance of our National Flag-the glorious
emblem Of the past and the true hope for all the
future IT'S true no analogy exists between the
present and any past National war No reasons
for the regulation of our duty can be assigned, at
all equivalent TO those which urged on our Faith
ers to the combat in either of those contests. SO
far from this. we are continually advised by the
opponents of all our Foreign wars, that the
causes" which have led to our present trouble.
either immediate or remote, must be determined
at its close" That in no way should those
causes" or even the "policy" of the war mea-
sures of the Administration, have rcguarizing
effect upon our conduct or duty. The right or
the ,rr0ng, are not subjects Tor consideration du-
ring this rcncounter between brethren. We are
forbidden TO allege, that it was because the North
had Tor had not refused their assent to the pas
sage Of laws the most wholesome and necessary
for the public COOL" We cannot prefer an ''ami
cable discussion and reasonable accommodation
of differences, before appealing TO arms" No.
nothing but the blind Endorsement of the policy"
will be sufficient test of our fidelity and love of
country. To doubt the motives or the integrity
of our rulers is strong presumptive evidence of
lack OF true patriotism, if not worse.
After all this proscriptive feature of the make
war will we have something still to thank God
for An honest free thinking man, may yet dis
cuss the object and probable result Of this war,
either imaginary or real. This up to date is
blessing may well feel thauklul for. thus if
for no other purpose than to satisfy the ardent
desire of the Black Republican party. that we
''havn ~ Government still let us be heard for
the sake of that war To that uncom romising
party-urcompromising as well before, as since
the commencement Of hOstities-I now address
myself: However important the question of
"have we government may he to all. it would
seem peculiarly to the Administration just
now. 1t would appear, at least, equal in gravity
to the causes of difficulty or its final adjustment.
And yet, Invested OF those terrors which follow
the tread Of hostile armies. there is something
exceedingly ludcrous in this national search
for Government 1t reminds one lin its
peaceful altitude Of poor Japhet's search for u
tather-the principal difference lying in the i'm
portance and character OF the actors. But have
we n Government"
The Constitution framed and adopted by the
States, binding at the time at least only upon
those adopting it, was all sufi ,ient and ample to
constitute Government. One too, oil the noblest
structure, depending as it did upon the love and
affection of the peoples say peoples, to keep in
view the thirteen sources Of power in the Gene
raj Gov rnment. The powers conferred were
uniform to be sure; yet were they much the ill.,
dependent and sovereign act of each State, as ii
diverse. this State agreeing to that which another
would refuse. Herein lies the chief beauty of
that Government which came into existence by
the will and command Of those fell powers who
were its author. Ry the effort OF tho great |
minds who conducted war of independence.
an uniform measure Of special authority WAS OBJ
tanned ION the several State natiOnatles. TO
administer faithfully that authority. constitu'
ted WAS the duty OF the General Government |
nothing more nothing less so far shalt thou go
but there shall thy proud waves be stayed"
tied and chiefly administrative powers. was the !
creature of the peoples who gave it life. all Can /
discover who will carefully tend HE Con ,titulOn /
and the Legislation of Congress in the early days |
Of our Government. Had it not been intended !
as Il permanent G overament more power mig
have been granted for limited period, beyond |
which it should cease to be binding. The reason
it WAS supposed to rest so entirely in the affec
tons OF the pcOple. is ample evidence of the /
sources of its authority as well as the perfect OBJ
servancc Of all restraints or trdmmels upon the |
sovereign will OF those sources \ Suite then. |
WAS the universally recognized sovereign OF those
known and defined rights thus granted. The re-
served rights are not enumerated. neither could |
be. embracing rs they did. all. OF which SUI |
preme authority could be possessed. Neither |
those granted for the establishment Of the sion,
nor those returned. were the consequence OF the |
establishment of the General Union. For the
administration of the will of the States. it WAS
necessary TO define the powers conferred, and
limit the agency created. Else 10 centrllize all
in one government. which should be the orr gin of
every privilege and power. a sentiment equiva-
lent to this extensively prevails at the present
time Thousands believe all States rights de-
rived from the Confedcracy. In proof Of which
all the preamble and resolutions, greeted with
loud cheering and adopted by acclamation. at ii
breakfast recently participated in by some two
hundred Americans in Paris among whom were
e. C. Conden. w. L. Dayton, Caius NJ. Clay, An
Rurli oh md 9TH COR
tlemen known to the public In the preamble
occurs the following:
Whereas, the people Of the several States, in
adopting the Constitution, made it and the laws
Of Congress enacted in pursuance of it the
preme law of the land. and thereby transferred
the essential powers OF sovereignty from the
States to the General Government; and
Whereas, numerous States hrve since been adj
mitted into the Union by Act Of Congress, ami
haze thus receired all the formal State authority
rhich they possess from the General Govern
ment."
Nothing is more common than the assertion
that the child, nourished to opulencr, and cloth
ed in a sort OF governmental garb derived from
its position in the Union. is the most vlainous
OF ngrates thus to club its revtrcd progenitOr.'
Notwithstanding, it is really true that no agency
was recognized more permanent than the will of
those who created it. Whenever that agency no
longer slbserves the dearest wishes Ct the people.
its maker did not dream it would require dis
astrous conflict to resume the bestowed powers.
SO dependent WAS the pcrpetuity even of our Re-
public upon the favor of those who made it. GER
tain things it had to do, and certain authority to
do it. This was the sum of the Constitution. and
its chief glory. In this view, how dear to us ALL
are those memorable words Of the Declaration of
American Independence: when in the conrse .
human evcntsn How slowly but surely they
move the soul and inspire us with q true sense OF
right to life, liberty and the pursuit Of hap
pincss" Such government when formed can
only be u rope of sand" to those who would
| rilicule the deepest seated principle, upon which