Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-19
TAKING A RECKONINC.


of South Carolina, opens thus:
'When the mariner has been tossed
for many days upon an unknown
sea, and in stormy weather, he nat
urally avails himself of the first
pause in the storm-the earliest
glance of the sun-to consult his
compass and take his reckoning.
Before we float further on the wave
of this debate, we should read again
the resolution which has given rise
to it."
The public mind in regard to po-
litical principles, has been drifting
for several years without rudder or
compass, while the elements have
been in furious agitation. The great
cardinal truths in our political syss
tenn have been lost sight of. Before
we float further on thewaves of dis
cussion, let us initiate the prudence
of the mariner who supplied Web
ster with his forcible figure of
speech, and take a reckoning. 1t
may enable US to regain the true
course with less difficulty than the
minds of some seem, at present, to
encounter.
Jefferson, on the 4th of March,
1900, in his first inaugural address,
laid down the following schedule of
principles, as those by which the
government should be administered.
They were true then, and for sixty
years of unparalleled prosperity
and renown they constituted the
chart Of government. They are
true now, and the errors which have
been committed can only be cor
rected, and the mischief which has
ensued can only be repaired, by
returning to them.
Said Jefferson Equal and ex-
act justice to all men, of whatever
state or persuasion, religious or po-
litical peace, commerce, and honest
friendship with all nations, entang
ling alliances with none; the support
of the State governments in all
their rights as the most competent
administration for our domestic
concerns, and the surest bulWarks
against anti-republican tendencies
the preservation of the General
Government in its whole constitu,
tional rigor, as the sheet an,
Choir of our peace at home
and safety abroad; jealous
care of the right of election by the
people; a mild and safe corrective
of abuses which are Topped by the
snarl of revolution, where peacea
bic remedies are unprovided abso
lutte acquiesence in the decision o
the majority, the vital principle o
republics, from which there is NJ
appeal but to force, the vital princi
pie and immediate parent Of DIES
potism; the supremacy
Of the civil over the military author
fty; economy in the public eXpen,
ses, that labor may be lightly bur
dencd; the honest paymen
Of our public debts, ant
sacred preservation of th'
public faith; encouragement
of agriculture and CT commerce a.
its handmade; the diffusion Of in.
formation and arrangement of al
abuses at the bar Of public reason
freedom Of religion, freedom Of the
press, and freedom of person, under
the protection of the habeas corpus
and trial by juries impartially Sc
lected.
"These principles form the brigh
constellation which has gone before
us, and guided our steps through
an age Of revolution and reforma
ton. The wisdom Of our sages, ant
blood of our heroes, have been de
voted to their attainment; the,
should be the creed Of our politica
faith; the text of civic instruction
and the tombstone by which to Try
the services Of those we trust an,
should we wander from them il
moments of error or Of alarm, lot u
hasten TO retrace our steps and re
gain the road which alone leads t,
peace, liberty and safety"
This is the creed for the times
and VIC commend it to diligent AM
earnest study.