The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-02-20
Responsibility and Power.

The People, finding they cannot with safety
look to the President and the National Admins
tration, in the hour of difficulty, have by com
mon consent turned to the President elect, and
TO those statesmen whom either runner or more
definite assurance, promises to place in bis Cabi-
net This state Of things is anomalous. Ii new
er before existed at least in the present general
extent and force. The responsibilities of Gov
eminent, are absolutely pressed upon all those
who are set down as to be OF authority in the
next Administration. The people certainly have
Il natural right TO look to the government which
they support, and hence they conclude if the
outgoing administration can give them no hope,
no light, no confidence, that they have right
to apply to that which is about TO assume the
power.
The effect of the State of things spoken of, is
to impose upon the incoming administration the
responsibilities which belong to power, among
which is the preservation OF the peace of the
country, while it is vet unorganized, and with
out power. All men must see that this course is
utterly unjust. The people have 10 right to de-
nland Of Mr. Lincoln. or of Mr.. Seward, Mr.
Bates MIR. Chase, or of any other gentleman,
bilities, what is to be his course of action upon
a contingency which has not vet arisen.
The popular speeches of Mr.. Lincoln, made
IA trGasit4 from his home to Washington, assure
the people of two things-of the power of gov
ernment TO preserve its own integrity, and OF
the duty Of those who administer that govern
ment, above all things else, to preserve that
government intact.
The speeches Of Mr. Seward made in the Sen.
ate of the United States at the present session,
are to tie same point. Some men, aud some
presses, see fl TO find fault with the mode by
which that great statesman proposes To preserve
the existence and integrity of government The
resort to force, with him il the last resort. OF all
measures with him, he places ultima ratio r,gsna
behind other means OF concaton bu. ha
does not, let ali understand, propose that concii
alton involves dereiiction Of principles
Mr.. Sewarli is statesman, and a man of peace
He looks forward 10 the future calmly and with
intrepdty, hut with sustaining hule iitIle sl,'5,
of confideace that the incoming administration
can save the country, and the peace of the coun.
try at the same time, ana that too-n.ost happy
resut-without 4 resort to arms.
There are classes in all communities, whose
first impressions in all difficulties. tend to force
Without desiring more than their right, they viii
resent all wrong, by the first impulse, fl ST, last
and always. Without being wrong in principle,
such views are only impracticablc. They cannot
be carried into effect peacefully, aud 10 good
end can be attained by it forcibly. The safe rule
of action, in this national exigency, is the rule
which governs every prudent man whose interest
demands the exercise and protection Of his rights
by delegated power-that rule is to trust power
in the hands of the best, wisest. and soundest
men, and allow them fair opportunity in which
to exercise it.