Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-07
MODERN FEDERALISM.

From the Memphis Register.
Certain il is that We are fast ''deparling"
from the good old ways of our fathers.
Federalism, which was understood to be
standing for consolidation and augmentation
Of the powers of government, and mex. to
treason, in Jefferson's days, is now begin
ming to be the prevailing sentiment, and il
as dubbed loyalty! Men are son the
make" and addressing their argument 70
the pocket. The sentiments Of the patriots
are ignored, slurred as old-fogyism, and the
whole country is crying beef, If this is
well for We, it is because liberty should sue
cnmb and Repubhcanism yield 10 dsspotic
power. Yet we are rushing on all the more
swiftly because progress is in the name Of
liberty. Sober men are beginning to think.
There is a precipice before Us, and good
men begin TO ask Their neighbors TO stop
short of the brink. But fools rush On
where angels fear to tread. Is the day sfar
off when We are to repent in ssckcloJh and
ashe,; is repentance now impossible, or too
late? We are pleased occasionally to see
such utterances as the following from he
Northern press. The Ypsilanti (Mich.)
Sentinel says:
"Ne sometimes think thai the Demo-
cratic party has been Justly punished for its
prin -'pies,
Glow mas it been possible for four-ff,hs
Of the adult population of the Union to be
come fixed in the ides that the original SOW
ereigD powers Of Government reside in the
Pres dent and Congress, and al State pow
ers are merely derived from that ex lted
"-u-~e? when the truth is exactly the re-
verse.
Glow has it been possible, that while
from the decline Of the Federal party in
1916 % 1862, the Democracy held the Gov
ccUnent without interruption, and flr
ne part Of the time kept alive a vigorous
Hztri Cf Federalism, to-day the Federal
principles ara rampant IL their most eXag-
EaT8tai form?
81 is plainly because in their great greed
or utiice, the leaders of the party neglected
'Ee education Of principles. The Demo
crscs has allowed the SCHOOLS % he made
tHe au-seriss Of mouarchial sentiments and
III. ciples. The babitILal practice mas been
I'D eYai5 the creature, the Union, over the
rGaor, the States, until the people are
haT L. aveTs5 to receiving the yoke Of des-
p1i "a.
a'r8is is al approach to the result, pre-
q Ct ny the opponents Of the Constitution
a- ale time Of lis adoption, among whom
rs Ehos. Jefferson and Patrick Henry
Z is, also, the result, that the advocates of
IA Constitution il the FederGijSt, COR
tended the States, in the exercise Of their
'esa-ycd powers, and their inherent soVer-
oigny 101uld preUent.
"Au ateutIve student of the history of
those times vii see, that while the opDo-
5sn'z of the Constitution were selections
BAT the S ate soveigaty should not be i'm
paired, the friends II that instrument were
equally anxious to express their regard foE
me $ stes, aud urge tie adoption Of the
'aU Tuition on the ground that 1t did not
eudaHger that sovereignty.
"UudeT the discussion thus carried on,
'.= EDlsritutiOn was ratified, and immedi-
c, amended in pursuance of implied
j ,sas. And no sooner did joan Adams
pat The federaiistic construction upon it
ha.. he people hurled him from the Presi-
ne aud elected Jefferson, that there
s be no mistake about how they IN
.,r. cd it. Aud vet within two genera
Ions VI these historical events, the modern
F5. I=lis-s 2rrsign the doctrine of State
ovsr-igEty as reasonable and pernicious;
nd iaw are the Democrats possessed Of
r0Urs-5 10 svOw themselves the friends OF
TIE tIge system on which our government
prs. rest, or our liberties will fall"
Few or many, that is the true mission Of
The press; and that Journal is little better
iaG IA educator for evil and public
Iuis nee which does not come up 10 the
, sEa-Td. Against such Old fOgyisn, Col NE
..ea. or woe, no progress for us.