, 1864-09-30
We to-dar giye the Igt Regolution of the Ia

We to-day give the lst Resolution of the fa-
nous Kentucky Resolutions of l79s-99, (the
original draft of which was by Thos Jeferson)
which was Incorporated in the Chicago Plat
form upon which Mcclellan and Pendleton
stand in accepting the nominations for the Pres
idency and Vice Presidency:
a. Resolved, That the several States COM
prising the United States not united the
principle of unlimited submission to their gene
raj government; but that by compact, under |
the style and title of Constitution for the Uni
ted States and of amendments thereto, they con- |
stituted General Government for special pur-
poses delegated to that government certain def
mite powers, reserving each State to itself, the
residuary mass of right to their own self govern
ment; and that, whensoeYer the general govern
ment assumes undelegated powers, its acts are
unauthorative void and of no force that to this
compact each State acceded as a State, and is
an integral party; that this government, created
by this compact, was not made the exclusive or
final Judge of the extent of the powers delegated
to itself since that would have made its discre-
ton, and not the Constitution, the measure of
its powers; but that as in all other cases ofcOm-
pact among parties, having no common judge,
each partyihas an equal right to judge for itself
as we'll of infractons as of the mode and meas
ure of redress"
The unprecedented prosperity and success of the
people of the United States under their govern
ment for the past fifty years, has been so great
that the political obligations and responsibili-
ties resting upon them, have been so lightlysre
garded, that sectional aggrandizement and strife
has superseded that faith and reliance in the
true spirit and genius of our institutions, which
are alone the only means able tc grasp and en-
circle within their folds all the aims and objects
that would, not only, secure national honor, but
the greatest security, prosperity and happiness
to all as one people; and the result has been,
not only, civil war, with all its attending hor-
rors but the most fearful state of demoraliza-
ton, and the people, blinded by passion, not
only disregard the obligations of one section to
another,-even when there are reciprocal inter
ests, but disregard the obligations of one to an
other which christian duties demand and socie-
ty imposes, which evils, unless checked by some
stronger influence than self-interest or political
success for mere partizan purposes, will lead to
anarchy and ruin.
The first duty of every voter is to thoroughly
understand the peculiar formation of our politi-
cal organization, its object and aims, and our
relative duties in the premises. To do this, we
must constrpe the Constitution of the United
States-that chart of political liberty-in the
spirit in which it was intended to operate-that
is, the greatest good to the greatest number, and
not accept theories claimed to be legitimate de-
ductions from that wise instrument which, if
practically demonstrated, would result in the
concentration of all the wealth and the centrai-
Eation of all political power of the masses in the
hands of few, to the end that erepTesentat'0e
principle, the basis and main feature of our pO-
Itical system-might be by degrees circum-
featng all the wise purposes intended in the
development of the science of free government,
which for the period of three quarters ofa centu-
tury has been success upon this continent;
and the examples set by its benefcent influences,
have done more to ameliorate the condition of
the down-trodden and oppressed subjects of the
despotisms of Europe, than the combined armies
of the world could have accomplished for the
same end during the time.
more erroneous, or mistaken idea never
inculcated than that the United States Govern
ment was too weak-from the nadequacy of the
strength of its center to sustain the weight of its
extremities-for its own maintenance, by strict
ly confning the powers exercised by it, within
the authority derived from the several States;
for its strength lies in the free circulation of
A. 81
sources of power-the people, in their free and
just exercise of the representative preogatiUe the
principle that constitutes the life-bood of the
nation. By reference to our statute books, it
will be seen that our laws embrace all that wis
dom could divine, and it is to theirnon- enforce
ment alone, that our present difficulties can be
attributed. The Generalization of the times
so perverted mems minds that custom and eva
sions of law established precedents, in direct vi
olation of law, which were made pretexts for
legations as best suited the convenience and in
terests of themselves and followers, pandering to
all the baser passions of mans nature, instead !
of laboring to instruct those less informed in re-
RdIu " GuClI pdIhulOuAJ uullSS as ueuUeTS anu |
component parts of our social compact. Many
converts to the false and apparently popular
theory for time, that this was intended for
centralized form of government, have become
alarmed at tho discovery that the federal gov
ernment has not been able to fulfil its true mis-
sion as administered upon this theory, and in
their apprehensions of anarchy, endeavor with
out inquiring into the causes or nature of the
disease, to apply remedies, which, instead of
only tend to aggravate and compli-
cate. The machinery of our government, when
in full and perfect operation, is the most simple
and beautiful piece of mechanism ever devised
by human unders tanding. The representative
principle is the mOtive power and the States right
principle the moderator of the power applied,
creating that beautiful equilibrium and harmonyin
its workings which has been unequaled in the
history of the world and until recently chal-
lenged the unqualified admiration and respect
of the present age. Destroy the motlUe Poaeer
and the machine would be worthless; destroy
The moderator, and the machinery would be pro-
] IL L i IL; - =.