The mountain Democrat., 1863-11-07
ou~ oonnns-o.rp11sTs.
What ls the UAtOA !
NUMBER ONE.

In the investigatiOn of the mighty issues
pending before the people, We are met, 81 lne
very threshold with the question, what Is
the Unmn!"
"What is united? How united? For what
PURPOSES united!" are pertinent questions with
reference to that Union which is, at present,
the subiect of 30 much excited controversy.
estates" are united for the Constitution Of
the United States variUusly den0minates the
Government created by its adoption, "t the
United States" 1.-The United States of Ameri-
ca" "the Government Of the United States.
The States are united upOp the exact terms and
conditions specified in the Constitution and
for purposes specified in, and apparent from,
an investigation Of that instrument.
1t is not my purpose to go further into con-
atitutional disQuisitiOns, than is necessary in
order 10 fair discussion Of existing issues.
In order IN fair understanding 0f the sub
iect, il is best 10 consider it under appropriate
subdivisions.
II is a doctrine of all free governments, that
too much power should never be given to one
man or one body Of men.
In the government Of a people, laws must
be made, causes must be tried, and obedience
must be- enforced to the judgments aud decrees
of Courts II some one man could make al
laws. decide Ill controversies. and enforce, nc.
cOrding to his own discretion, ull judgments
and drCrees Of Courts, be would be II grt"teF
desuOt than any that now exists. or ever did
exist. The same aggregate of powers vested
in tiftv men instead Of one, would make hfiy
despnIs instead Of one.
All human experience teaches, that man is
prone u abuse power. Hence II is, that all free
governments provide certain safeguards against
that tendency. Unlimited powers are neither
cOnhded 10 one man nor one body OF meu.-
The different departments cf the government
are so organized, that each one operates us
check upon the others.
The Government 0f the United States was
established BY men jealous OF their rights, and
cautious Of parting with power. True t0 their
instincts, they divided the powers Of the newly
created government, between the legislative,
Judicial, and executive departments. l will
here detne terms by saving that legislative
power makes laws. Judicial power exp"uDds
Them, and executive power enturcea their exc
cutiun.
With exceptions, which il is unnecessary to
nOiice ut present, the Constitution vests the
legislative power in Congress. the Judicial
pawer in the Courts, and the executive power
in the President.
There are wise purposes for which certain
powers are cOntded To each department "t The
government As applicable Ia each depart
ment separately, The Constitution lns provided
certain sal, guards against The abuse "t power.
There il, on the part "f the people, just
medium to be observed, between cAcess've
Jealousy On the une hand, and excessive cunh'
dence IN the other. Excessive jeLl"us' may
deprive US Of the benetliS which would How
from n wise. efficient, and energetic exercise "t
Constitutional powers. Excessive c''I,hdvnce
may acclrd IL lawleSSneSS the obedience and
respect which ure due Iu law, aud bInd us in
the chains OF an inrX"rable GeSI'"llSm
The mUTe every citizen aud every officer per
forms his duty, the nnre are the best Interests
Ut our common country advanced. Every cItl'
zen should, therrt rt, discharge his own duty,
according to the best Of his ability and Use his
best endeavurS tu see that every officer, both
State and National, does the same thI:g.
1t is the duty Of every patriotic cItIIen. TO
carefully observe existing tendencies. Where
he meets with excessive jealousy, lie should
aim t" allay it, Where he meets with cxcrs.
sive confidence. he should aim To rrInove It,
and TO arouse, in its stead, q well-Iuunded
jealousy.
Ii must be borne in mind that there is, in the
Constitution If the United States, n" Article,
Section. nr clause, that is not part and parcel
OF the Onion. Ii follows, as u consequence,
that the powers which the Constitution has
separately vested in each department "f the
government, should be sustained IN their full
vignr, in order tn sustain the Union Il fll"ws,
also, that all the checks. balances. aud sale.
guards, which the Constitution has devised
against the abuse ni power should ACcnmI IISh
the object, for which they were intended. in
order /" sustain the Union.
Tendencies may well BE- noticed. for Pur-
pose which | have not mentioned When. il
NJ all, public agents. through Iinidty, shrink
from jndicipus exercise Of Constitutional
powers, we should aim To inspire them with
greater boldneSs. When. on the ot her hand.
they ure guilty of manifest uSurpatiOn, We
should feurlessly and unhpStutinplv condemn
them. JAMES JOHNSON.