Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-01-12
Ex.EOv. Banks Position.

Ex.GOv. Banks Position.
Among the messages Of the Republi-
can Governors, outgoing and incoming
in the different States of the Union, that
Of Governor Nathaniel z. Banks, OF
Massachusetts, is undoubtedly the man.
lest, and probably the most unexpected
demonstration on the right side, that las
come befooe the public. This valedlcto-
ny Of the retiring Governor is the more
unexpected from the fact that Mr.. Banks
has been looked upon from all parts CT
the Union. and especially from Southern
ground, as one entertaining the strong
est-the most radical Republican ma
tons and ideas.
For the benefit Of those rabid Repub-
licans hereabouts, who claim that there
should be no yielding Of single point
no concession Of any nature or kind
to the demands Of the South, We publish
the following extract from Mr.. Banks
valedictory, and with the hope, too, that
it may have the effect to lead some OF
them to form more humane conclusions
and views than those which they are in
the habit Of adopting and promulgs
ting {:
Mr.. Banks says:
81 do not hesitate to say, that as a
government, in every sense, Massachu-
sets has been faithful to her consti,u
tional duties. 1t is because she has
been Illus faithful, that | desire 20 see
her legislation in harmony with her acts
1t is because do not like to see her
Representatives in Congress, and her
sons everywhere, put upon the defensive
when they have just cause to be proud
Of her acts, it Is because, in the face of
her Just claims to high honor, do not
love to hear Uni ust reproaches cast upon
her fame, that say, as | do, in the pres.
cncc of God, and with heart filled with
the responsibilities that must rest upon
every American citizen in these dstem-
pered times, | cannot but regard the
maintenance of q statute, whether consti-
tutional or not, which is so unnecessary
to the public service, and so detrimental
to the public peace, as an lnexcusable
public wrong. hope by common con
sent it may be removed from the statute
book, aud such guarantees as constitu
tional freedom demands be sought in
new legislation.
sit is SAID, know with some reason
that no change would satisfy mel en-.
gagged in treason and rebellion. We
ought to remember, however, that South
Carolina presents this class of laws in hel
countericited Declaration of Independ.
ence, AS the first great wrong her PEG
pie have suffered, and that removal will
obviate her first cause of omplaint
which is made the basis OF every Other
substantive grievance.
cit is sad, also, that the time is no,
propitious, that it docs not become Mass
achusetts to act under threats. Every
State maintains liz own dignity by do
ing what is right. 4 State, that unde,
threats of coercion, does ,chut IS aorong
does not greaiiy suffer In comparison
rtM another, that under sinilar pleo
refuses 10 do mhat Is right j, there is q
difference in process, but the difference
in results is not worth contest. Besides
TIA is not an accepted American doc
trIne.
"When France refused to pay An in
dcmnty secured to US by treaty, under
the pretence that she had been threat.
ened with war by a President Of the
United States, her excuse was not re
ceived AS a sufficient explanation. The
President threatened her again. Con
gress supported his declarations by s
war appropriation, and England, as arbi
traitor, compelled France to fulfil hel
treaty stipulatlons. In tact, the comfy
OF States furnishes no good reason tol
not doing what is right; and rulers are
permitted less than others to swerve un
der the influence of brides or menace.
from the direct aud exact line OF
night.
"rhe topic presents considerations o.
policy also. The difficulty in govern
ment, as in life, is to ascertain what il
right. 1t is easier to follow the line O
right, than it is to divine it, as wisdom
is higher quality than courage 4; anc
the world is full Of proofs that an obsti
nate adherence to that which is imprac
ticablc, indefensible and immaterial, Of
ten compels the truest and boldest men
to surrender that which is just in itsel
and vital to their cause. Our experience
in this regard will not differ from that o
other men.
"There are men suddenly lifted from
Indulgence to affluence, who never forge,
poverty in the presence of plenty. Sc
men long accustomed TO rough govern
ment do not readily comprehend Tho
policy of rulers, and reluctantly surren
der the imperfect machinery Of opposi
ton for the greater powers and higher
honors of administration. There may bs
equal advantages in the right Of opposi
ton or administration, according to the
preferences or constitutions of men, but
it will be difficult for the same person o,
party to monopoizc both. If We claim
the right to administer law, let us aban
don the machinery intended to obstruc
1t.
Cancellation and coercion are tain
poscers. They grow out OF aud into
each other, and neither is perfect by it