The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-10-19
The Constitution of the United
lin. .G. i1l States.

We are all more or less influenced by vi
sible symbols. When we see the glitter
ing stars and stripes floating like vision
of beauty on the breeze, our souls are
thrilled with unutterable pride and pas
sion.
When we hear the grand old Hymns of
the Nation sung or resounding from sonor
Gus instruments, we are similarly affected.
The celebrated order of General DIX,
"Shoot down the first man who attempts 10
pull down the American hagW electrified
the nation, and we can all Of US readily I'M
derstand "Dinna We hear the slogan" senti-
ebb and flow as the breeze bears Us IL the
toarse murmur of the drum and fife, repeat
ing the martial airs of our land.
There is something "Aative and to the
manor born wich is worth to us all the
flags and hymns, and drums and flies in the
country. 1t is more beautiful than the un-
furled standard, it is grander than the stir
bic we bave. That thing is the CosTITU-
TON OF THE UNITED STATES. How few of
us realise that the glory of our country con-
sists chiefly in this great political instru.
mentality, and It's admirable workings
How few of us feel for il warm attach
menU as the source Of our national strength,
renown and prosperity. We should ritalise
it. We should regard it with vivid per-
sonal feeling We should make it bible
in our houses. We should teach our chill
dren to read and ponder over it.
Have we so soon forgotten the history of
this great compact which made as coun-
try? Have we forgotten the week, feeble,
Respondent, disorganized condition we were
really in, after the wars of the revolution
A number of jealous and penniless States
united by mere sufferanco and vague
sense of the necessity of some sort of
Union, ready to drop apart at any provoca
ton. The nominal government having no
powers but to invite them to contribute to
the general defence. Such was the posture
Of affairs, when we had wrested our indie
pendence from the British crown. Our
enemies abroad were exulting in the con.
temptation of our speedy ruin. The wise
and bold leaders of the revolution includ-
ing General WASHINGTON, began to have
serious doubts of the stability of tie Gov
ernment. All was disorder weakness aud
distrust. Let us picture to ourselves that
Convention which framed for us the char
ter to which we owe our continuance as a
nation. The "Father of his country" pre-
sided over it. The venerable philosopher
FRANKLIN, the temperate and sagacious
MADISON, the close logic,an HAMILTON, the
eloquent LEE, MORRIS, SHERMAN, HAN
COCK, CARROLL, men equally celebrated for
patriotism and exalted views and learning,
gathered together, and for weeks deliberated,
compared notes, compromised, ex-
hausted all their stores Of observation, read
ing and thought to frame for the generations
who were to follow them, a grand, benef
cent and enduring system, that should favor
the growth Of the State, the nation, and
the people, in all the elements of public
and private prosperity. The cork ,cas aoor>
thy of its authors. 1t gave US Govern
ment which was buoyaut, whilst it was
strong. We did not need to infer its exist
ence by swarms of officials, high taxes, sol
diery, and crowded prisons. We recoeni- ,