Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-12-13

utdfy influence III the fe-eStdDllS
ment of peace, harmony and fra
ternal feeling. 1t would tend
greatly to renew the confidence of
the American people in the yigor
and stability of their institutions.
1t would bind us more closely to-
gether as a nation, and enable us
to show to the world the inherent
and recuperative power of a Gov
founded upon the will of
a people, and established upon the
principles of liberty, justice and
intelligence.
Our increased strength and Ell.
HANGED prosperity would irrefra-
gibly demonstrate the fallacy of
arguments against free institutions
drawn from our recent national
disorders by the enemies of repub-
lican government. The adnis-
sion of loyal members from the
States now excluded from Congress
by allaying doubt and apprehen-
sion, would turn capital now await
ing an opportunity for investment,
into the channels of trade and in
dustry. 1t would alleviate the
present troubled condition Of those
States, and, by inducing emigra-
ton, aid i'll the settlement of fer
tile regions now uncultivated, and
lead to an increased production of
those staples which have added SO
greatly to the wealth of the ma
ton and the commerce OF the
world. New fields OF enterprise
would be opened to our progress
sive people, and soon the devasta-
tons of war would be repaired,
and all traces of our domestic DIFF
ferences effaced from the minds Of
our countrymen.
CAUTION ADVISED LEST WE RESORT
TO CONSOLIDATION.
In our efforts to preserve "the
unity Of Government which con-
stitutes us one people" by resto-
ring the States to the condition
which they held prior to the re-
beilion, we should be cautious,
lest, having rescued our nation
from perils of threatened disinteg-
ration, we resort to consolidation,
and in the end absolute despotism.
as a remedy for recurrence of sim
liar troubles. The war having
terminated, and with it all occa-
sion for the exercise of power of
doubtful constitutionality, we
should hasten to bring legislation
within the boundaries prescribed
by the Constitution, and to return
to the ancient landmarks estab-
lished by our fathers for the guild
ance Of succeeding generations.-
''The Constitution which at any
time exists, until changed by an
explicit and authentic act of the
whole people, is sacredly obligatory
upon all" of in the opinion of
the people, the distribution or mod
ifcation of the constitutional pow
ers be, in any particular, wrong,
let it be corrected by amendment
in the way in which the constitu-
ton designates. But let there be
no usurpation: for ut is the Gus
tomary weapon by which free Gov
ernments are destroyed"
Washington spoke these words
to his countrymen, when followed
by their love and gratitude, he
voluntarily retired from the cares
Of public life. 40 keep in all
things within the pale OF our con-
'titutional powers, and cherish the
Federal Union as the only rock Of
safety" were prescribed by Jeffer-
ron as rules of action TO endear to
ais "countrymen the true princi-
Dles of their Constitution, and
promote union Of sentiment and
lctiOn equally suspicious to their
happiness and safety" Jackson
leId that tie action of the Gener-
Il Government should always be
strictly confined to the sphere Of its
appropriate duties, and Justly and
orcibly urged that our Govern
nent is not to be main iained nor
,ur Union preserved b. invasions
If the rights and powers of the
several States.
In thus attempting to make our
Government strong, we make it
weak. Its true strength consists
n leaving individuals and States
IS much as possible to themselves; |
n making itself felt, not in It's pow
r, but in It's benefcence; not in
IS control, but in It's protection;