The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-04-03
8Ll0asBURG, WEDNESDAY,, APRIL Sd, 1861.
Our GeTerament.

The general government, under which
all shese States are united, is not, as is sup
posed by many, a Confederation II is
H,ah more than confederation. Il is popu-
lar representative government, with all the
departments, and all the functions ana or
gans, of such government. BUTT is still
limited, restrained, severely guarded
government. 1t exists under a written Con-
sfii,Uion, and all that human wisdom could
do is done, to defend lis powers and to pre-
vent their abuse. II is placed in what was
supposed 10 be The safest medium between
dangerous authority on the one hand, and
debility and inefiicieucy OF the other We
think that happy medium was founded. by
the exercise of the greatest political sagaci-
ty, aud the influence of the highest good
fortune. We cannot move the system Ell
lher way, without the probability of hurtful
change; and az experience has taught us,
its safety, and It's usefulness, when left
where i: is, our duty is plain one.
That this government has beer exposed
to many dangers, that il has net critical
momenis, is certain. That it is now ex.
posed to dangers, and that crisis is now
before il of the most fearful character, is
equally clear in our judgment. But it has
hitherto been pressed, and vigilence and
patriotism may rescue it again. Our dan
gers are not at all from wifhout We have
nothing TO fear from foreign powers, except
those Interruptions of the occupations of life
which all wars occasion. The dangers to
our system, as system, il there are any,
Go not spring from that quarter. Bot orr
dangers are, and have been breed, entirely
from within. We do Iot cite those dangers
which have in all ages beset republican
governments, such as luxury among the
rich, The corruption OF public officers, and
the general degradation of public morals
but discourse only ofthose peculiar dangers
to which the structure of our government
particularly exposes il, in addition 10 all
other ordinary dangers. These arise among
ourselves they spring mp at home and
the evil which they threaten is no less than
disunion, or the overthrow of the whole
rystem. Local feelings and local parties,
notion sometimes seduIously cultivated of
opposite interests in different portions OF the
Union, evil prophecies respecting lis dura-
lion, cool calculations upon .he benefits OF
separation, a narrow feeling that cannot
embrace ell the States as one country, an
unsocial, an,i>naiional, and half belligerent
spirit, which sometimes betrays itseIf,-all
ths-e undoubtedly are causes which affect,
more or less, our prospect of holding togeth-
er. All these are unpropitious influences.
The Constitution is foun dsi on Compro-
mises, and the most perfect and absolute
good faith, in regard to every stipulation OF
this kind contained in it. is dispensable TO
lis preservation. Every attempt 10 accom-
plish even the best purpose, every attempt
to grasp that which is regarded as an i'm
mediate good, in violation of these stipula.
tions, is full of danger 10 the whole Consti-
tuition. We need scarcely say, also, for
we think ii is already apparent, that poss-
bic collision between the genera! and the
State governments always has Teen, is, and
ever must be, a source OF danger TO be strict
ly watched by wise men.