East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-02-07
scccssio,, mnd il, Trcat,n cnt.
r2ou THE wAsHIIGT0S NATIONAL INTELLI
GENCER.

r2oM ruE wAsHIIGT0N NATIONAL INrELLI-
GENOER.
1t is undoubtedly the first wish Of
every good citizen, at this critical period
in our history, to maintain tho public
uoaee willie at the same time malntalng
the Constitution and the Union of the
States. Believing that the preservation
of the former is essential to the preser-
vation of the latter, we need not say that
we should dcprecate, at this stage of the
movement inaugurated by South Caro-
lima. any proceeding on the part of the
| Federal Government which would have
! for its effect 90 intensity and widen the
snirit of resistance which animates pOr-
ton Of the Southern mind. The public
authority in times of popular agitation
needs to be welded with that discretion
which is the better part of valor, as IL IL
often seen that q Government, by yield
inp with dignity to the force of circum-
stances, while yet defending its Legitimate
prcropative with firmness, may open q
reader way to the adjustment of the most
intricate complications than can be found
by cutting the Gordian knot with the
sword.
AZ the present time it is believed by
many that the public peace would be
icoparded by an attempt on the part o'
the United States 10 collect the revenues
at Charleston. Whether this conviction
is we'll founded or not, we think it be
hooves members Of the National Legis
lature to weigh we'll and wisely the con
dition Of the problem which they are call
ed to solve, that they may adopt the eX
, pcdent which shall seem best adapted tt
r subserve the highest and most manliol'
+ interests Of the country.
+, We have already limited at the polio,
, of repeating or suspending such laws O
= the United States as in tho existing con
i ditiop of the Federal authority in Sout
a Carolina. IL nav be found impossible {
e enforce in that State, without lin the at
e sence of the civil forms which should pre-
Y cede the exercise of Executive authority
doinc violence to the genius OF our inst
/. tutions, and also without greatly Ell
# danrering the public tranquility. Th
Il civil machinery of the Federal Cover
c ment having fallen into almost tot
V wreck in South Carolina, it is obvioC
is that until this deficiency is repaired I'll
Ie Executive must lack satisfactory bas
N for such administrative action as, und'
v. other circumstances would be not on
II proper in itself, but imperative upon hlr
Of in the discharge of his duty, to see TIN
ID the laws are faithfully executed. Al
@. from this difficulty in regard to Sou
as (arolina he can be relieved only by u
ID action of Congress, in neither clothing hi
0. with new and enlarged power to me
n the exigcncies OF the case, or in repe'
p, ing or suspending the laws which 1t
ld now made his duty to enforce. The ID
n. ter alternative while saving the legl
ed macy and maintaining the honor OF t
It's Federal Government, has the sdvanta
m of iusuring preservation of the pub
rt. peace, unless il should be broken by ,
ng provoked aggressions against the rigl
ed and property of the United States.
M. When we consider that the colloctt
,as Of the Federal revenues in South Ca
cal lima entails, at the best, a dead loss
on, the Government, it is apparent that C
er. siderations of economy (Which in
iii present condition Of the Treasury sho