Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-01-04
The lessons OF the FOUNDERS of the
Gorerumeuf.


The lessons of the rounders of the
Government.
The dangers which the wise and patriotic men
who founded The Government feared might be-
fall il, are now upon the country. They provided
every safeguard against these evils through con-
stitutional enactments which their sagacity could
anticipate and suggest. but they could in every
way provide for the protection and security Of the
liberty of the citizen when the Constitution, which
was designed for that end would have 10 more
force or vitality with the administrators Of the
Govern .nent than the parchment upon which it
was written. One Of the most able and far
seeing statesmen which the Revolution developed
was ALEXANDER HAMILTON. he not only stood
pre- eminent as a civilian, but he attested his pa
triotism as a soldier. HAMILTON was in favor of
establishing strong central government, and ne
labored earnestly to give that direction to the
chart of government which ne took an active part
in framing Although entertaining these con-
victions and earnestly advocating them, guided
by the lessons of history, be clearly foresaw and
predicted that a civil war, such as is now being
waged for the purpose of coercing unwilling
States to return to their allegiance would, in all
human probability, result in dissolution of the
Union-the very disaster which the war is pro-
fessedlY prosecuted To avert. In an article in
the Federalist. referring to this subject. he thus
gives expression to his opinions:
when the sword is once drawn the passions
Of men observe no bounds of moderation. The
suggestions of wounded pride, the instgatons of
irritated resentment, would be apt to carry the
States, against which the arms of the Union
were extended, to any extremes necessary To
aveRge the aifront. or to avoid the disgrace of
submission The first war of this kind would
probably terminate in a dissolution of the
Union.''
This was written about three quarters of
century ago, and if it had been said now, the
present troubles of the country could not be more
forcibly portrayed. The history of the war illus
trates the sagacity of the predictions of HAMIL-
TON. "When the sword is once drawn" said be,
1.-The passions of men observe no bounds of mod
eration =" Such is the experience of the present
struggle. Moderation diminished as the war
progressed, and to-day schemes Of subugation
and determination entertained and advocated
which would have shocked the sensiblities of the
nation at the beginning. The war has progressed
near three years upon gigantic scale for the
avo@ed purpose oi restoring the Union, and if
the policy Ut the party in waging it should be sue
cessful it ~ould probably terminate in dissolution
OF the Union, for it can no longer be called
Union when one part oil it is pinned to the other
by biyonets, and held as subjugated provinces.
Ii is no longer government of consent, but of
torce-not Union composed of independent and
equal States, such the Constitution designed
it. In alluding to the coercion of dissenting
States by The force of arms, HAMILTON re-
marked:
"A project of this kind IS little less romantic
than the monster tanning spirit, which Is attrIbu-
tel TO the fabulous heroes and demi gods of all
tiquity"
This was the opinion OF wise and patriotic men
who had emerged from a seven wears war, and
we'll understood the dangers I'd republican insti-
stitutions which an appeal to the sword would
develop.
1t would be wise it the present Government
would heed the lessons of the Fathers of the
Republic They clearly foreSaw that when those
to whom were intrusted the administration of the
government left the mOorings of the Constitution
disregarded its obligations aud permitted passion
to control them, there would be but little hope
for the preservation OF the government they estab
lished That condition OF affairs is upon US and
unless there is Il speedy restoration to the old
paths. the fe rs that Hamilton expressed that the
first of this kind would l,rObiby terminate
in dissolution of the Unini, may become his
tory. The only hope OF preserving Aneric N
liberty anFl free Institutions is in the people being
once more guided by tine lessons OF wisdom ant
patriotism nculcated by the men who pledged
their lives their fortunes anl their sacred honor:
! IA .ehiav. than,