The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-09

there has existed In this country aIas esmeo&
which ct different periods haa become preisu
nant as TO the the pcrpetuity a
the Union While the diaeren. sections OF the coun<rw
have been bound together By the religion mannsrs
habits and political principles and have thus been fort
fed against external danger they bave not been ate
gethor free from the jealousies and beartburnines
growing out of difficulties in their midst Under ons
plea and another factions have been from time to
time organized, and occasionally a small but
enterprising minority has sprung into existence
for the purpose OF taking the place cf tho
delegated will OF the nation and attempting to obstruct
the execution of the laws and to control direct or coun
terast the regular deliberations Of the duly Constituted
authorities.
When 1t Is remembered, however that when the con
suton of the United States formed different opsa-
ions entertained to the extent of tho powers Con
erred by it, this, perhaps Is much subject for
wonder. II natural Of diversity Of seoA-
nent The people fresh frors the perpexes q the
Revolution; the government was yet experiment:
the prosperity Of the country had not commenced
to roll upintcrruptedly in the broad channels Il hAa
since followed the thirteen oglral States, when tnae
became sovereign and independent Lot prepared
by example TO follow beaten track. Tho result was
that the sharpest differences sprang out measures
which, however right wrong, ceased with ths ext
gencies that gave them BIRTH and LEFT no permanent
effect either the constutcn the general prcS
psrity Of the country. Occasional outbreaks and nsur
rectons have been fomentsd Factions shapeDed by the
spirit Of opposition incident to party dsseusons have
often distracted the public councils, and eofeebed
the pubic administration; but all these under
tho healthy restrsi.t OF public opinion, In due
time found their proper level and the spirit O, bers~
became its own sures guardian. These popular over.
owngs are the necessary cor couitants Of repubican
form OF government. II s the natural tendency Of nor
on Of the people, when unrestraned by proper lnnu-
ences to rebel at times against the will Of the majority
and to encroach upon the po which they have them
selves constituted Such, however is the organzalios
Of government that this disposition has alwa ays besu
met by healthy legislation, and always resulted in re.
storing to its proper balance the disturbed condition u
public affairs. This party spirit has always existed in
our midst It always viii exist and, IN the lang ass or
Washington - IRE not to be quenched, it demands q
uniform vigilance to prevent It's bursting into flame
lest, instead Of warming, 1t should consumen
This difference IN public sentiment less marked
Immediately after the Revolution than at the presca mo-
ment Even the constitution in Its original state by
means found perfect and upon the question adop
ton two great parties into the field who formed re
spectvey the basis OF those which have since divided the
people OF the United staess friends being called fcds
ralists and its opponents anti federaiss was com
promise OF conflicting interests and positions OF Il
regarded as exceptonable By each or the statss
This resulted from the fact that 1t unilsa thirtes.
independent repubics into Consolidated, government
having control or the whole-republics which differed
widely in situation, extent habits and domestic nstitu
tions. Rights and privileges on all. sides surre.-
dercd without apparent equvaents Patrick Henry op-
posed It's adoptien with his usual vehsmence, and even
Franklin said in the convention; al ccassut to this cos.
sttution because expect better, and because am
not Is not the best The opr or have bad of in
sacrifice TO the public good" Even wash,gtoa
said: "There things in the new sorm, via
readily acknowledge, which did, azA never will
obtain my cordial approbation. but | did then
conceive and do nov mos. armly. believe that
In the aggregate It Is tte bess consiitu.sn
that be obtained at this eoch and tat this or dis
solution awaits our choice and t. the eny alternative"
Again: "t appears TO me Little shoy: os miracle shss
the delegates from many States, different from sacA
other in their manners, arcumstspses and prerdces
should unite In forming systcs Of national govern
ment little liable 10 veil founded affections Nor m
yet such enthusiastic, payta discrim Mating Cd
mrer Of ii as not 70 perceive . ,nc,ured With sons
real, though not radical dcfcctsu
Our national e-Stence s> nov In itc. eighty mn
year. In that time thu world has Witnessed
the wonderful spectacle Of 40 less than tweives
or fifteen rebc,i9as thai have for the time being sds-
turbed the covpry ro sorder to bordsr aud vet Aavs
passed away Ike a spumor's cloud with the events
which gave them birth Where s the monarchlc al conn
try that presents apy.h.ug Ike the fscis An out
break evary eight years-a moral sevoiutio' that bss
terminssed without bloodshed, aaa wtbo a wsaveu,,.
| the social political fabric.
must be borne a mind, however, ~, these e,c,,s.
meris have aizenfrom circumstances =, rrrov ,oc.I .
rsster, and they have been regula "A ana =,
The very reaction which they hay ,s....,-a.
factions have been orga asa ~n., 80. -. :.
moment domurred against A.,ho.,.. =. !, .,-.
have been held out By cnpnr and .m,,,,ops
:. 49,. ~ Deeone ctent engines for the subyors,ou
-. ,.S. s'I' saa doctrines os the constitution they
s.s,. ,osa reduced to sheir proper level by the
60, Ablc opinion, which has never failed to
- 49,, Ihcnever y discovered that the paiisdia.
Wy 1"'0 liberty was in danger These epOchs have,
49,. been only 50 many progressive steps by which
y =, ~ atry has advanced 10 ts present elevation
:, sy have been tho crucibles, 10 speak, ,by whcs
e free institutions committed 70 keeping have
been tested and coming on. OF the Gre unharmed wa
have been strengthened than for the path whch
lay before
nwiu be Instructive, lew Of the prcssus q sis, -