The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-10

confouIded by any iallacies contrived 10 weak
en- his allegiance TO the whole country. The
sharp logic of facts has made clear all such
topics: and the volunteers of all States 20 forth
10 battle. shoulder to shoulder, "a true brethren
in the great family of the Union.
The constitution contains no antagonisms
The theories which assume IL TO Justify rivalry
between States and the Union are pernicious and
false. No coDtroyeTs.e, of dignity or prece-
dence can be drawn from any of lis clauses. or
in any way be doduc,d from il. Ii was work
designed TO build up powerful country. by
leaving each of its parts TO perform for itself
every function which would not interfere with
The interests OF the larger community--whch
protected. as well a represented every portion
by IT. national character. The powers of the
one are exercised 10 aid the prosperity OF the
other. BY dividing their jurisdictions. they are
both relieved from incongruous labors and dr-
ties. State i no more De graded 10y suijection
to such limitations as are laid down in the con
sufut!on OF the United States. whereby its own
citlZeus are represented in the family of nations
by government Of power and dignity, which
respects as well as protects their freedom. than
the citizen of an enlightened commonwealth is
degraded by giving up enough o! his natural
liberty to redeem him from the beastly indie
pendence Of a homeless SAVAGE When State
seeks 10 destroy the Union. il achieves no real
independence; but only deprives itself of its
strongest protector. And Il government which
should aim al weakening the States would. as
plainly and directly. demolsh its own tounda-
iions. No mere central government could hold
together in pcacs the various elements which
are now our strength. The people apportoned
the powers of the Union and the States wisely
and intclligibly. and every citizen of the United
States finds the plainest admOnitiOn 10 respect
and obey the State authority within its sphere.
side 10y side with the precepts which prevent
States or people from infringing the prcroga-
tiyes of the nation.
Has all this care been wasted? Have these
seeds OF wisdom brought forth nothing but
folly: Has this nation been so useless that the
peopleare called upon to overthrow it, as an op-
pressive hindrance to their prosperity? What
madness has blinded our fellow-countrymen.
that they seek to involve US i'm a common ruin? ?
We may well be astounded when men of our
own blood. claiming to enjoy the light of rea-
son and the means of intelligence. can look
upon the condition and prospects of this coun-
try, and curse the Union as source of misery
and degradation. We have all heard of the
strange delusOns which from time to time have
led captive whole generations. The learned
Egyptians filled the wonderful creations of their
science and industry with the embalmed ca
cases of brutes. which they venerated as gods.
The polished Greeks and Romans offered up
costly sacrifices to appease the handiwOrk of
their artisans Our own remote progenitOrs
sometimes delivered up to death the aged and
helpless, in whose feeble complanings their per-
verted credulity heard the utterances of unclean
spirits. But these delusions related to the un-
seen world, and were born of superstitiOus fear.
In matters relating to present and tangible in
tcrcsts such errors may well excite our wonder.
They must have yielded strangely to diseased
ambition or ianatcal prejudice who can iaIl to
see that the course OF tins republic, from lis ORR
gln to this day, has been one filled with such
blessings aud privileges as have not been sur
passed in the career of any people on the globe.
Nor can these advantages he separated from the
wise constitution Of the United States. Abound
ing as they do, at home and abroad. exciting
our pride as they ought to excite our gratitude.
IT is worse than folly to claim that they have
been obtained IN spite Of Union and that
as separate communities. we should kave gath
cred richer haryests of which these are but the
scanty gleanings.
When that constitution was adopted nearly
all the people of the country dwet near the At.
lantic coast, with few means of communication
and a small share of wealth. Now the line OF
civilization extends almost unbroken to the Pa
cifc, and mails pass daily from Ocean to Ocean.
The poorest citizen afford to correspond free
" with his relatives and friends in all parts OF
| the country. The press circulates its issues
| abundantly in every nook and corner OF the lard
The separation of households, whose sons and
| daughters 60 forth into new homes, ceases to be
a sad lifelong farewell, when the swift messen-
gers bear their mutual greetings so quickly and
surely. The same facilities excite more strongly
the desire OF knowledge and schools which first
led men to seek these improvements, become
more desired and better appreciated. because o
| the ease whereby the wants of educated minds car
be satisfied. Without our liberal and extended
Post Office system, writing would be OF much
less obvious use among the poor, who could not
correspond with their friends, and have few 9th
| er important occasions for il, ard reading would
be a comparative accomplishment rather than 6
daily necessity. The press would lose much O
its wide spread influence, and mems minds woulC
shrink from the generous bread-h which results
from constant acquaintance with general inter
ests into the mean and contracted views o.
| jealous provincialsm. We can trace many o
the sad features OF our present crisis TO the neg
lect of these advantages which prevails in some
parts of our country. Those who live wthou
using the means of intercourse with their neigh
bors are in the same condition as If they wer'
no; attainable. And the experience OF the wOrl'
has shown, by many examples that an utterly
isolated community which does not keep up will
the progress of events, forms the most knd
soil for the growth of the widest delusion ant
folly. Ignorance, and the pride of ignorance
are capable OF producing the most unheard-o
evils. There is no limit TO their capacity 70
mischief They are the direct causes of tn
worst degradation.
The beniguant ministry of the Union, in afford
ing so richly and generously the means of uni
versal intercourse and enlightenment is but tn
natural result of the principles OF our govern
T ment. We entered upon our course as a Nation
) protesting to rest upon the affections and judg
men; of an intelligent people. And govern
ment which has enabled lis people to go fort
into the wilderness, ard bear the priva,ions c
the pioneer, without losing the best blessings c
civilization, proves by the effort its confidence
its foundations, and proves by the result how We
that confidence was deserved.
Butevery other step in the internal policy G
our country seems equally worthy of its hig
mission. Vast regions have been added TO ou
:, territory, purchased by the common treasury an
defended BY the common army Of the Union
{ Sending out in all directions its explorers an
surveyors, the wide domain has been throw
: open far in advance OF the necessities o. a grow
J. ing population. When the old homestead at th
east has been filed with its sturdy offspring the
: have not been driven to seek new expedients
weary toll and selfdenial, whereby the small 6el
y which supported in comfort one household shou'
: be made to yield meagre supply TO the enlars
= ing circle, who as they in turn should lock TO
= ward in sadness TO the future of their own d,
> scenjants, would find their scaaty morsel mad