The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-09
THE FUTURE OF THE REpUsLrc.

Were 1t possible for General kemper to
lift the curtain which now shuts out from
his mental vision the grander possibilities
of the future of our country, and behold
our Republic modelling its constitution,
customs, manners, and laws upon the eter-
nal principles Of right and justice seeking
to be exempllied in our history--the princi-
pies, we mean, of free and equal govern
ment-how inefIably narrow and contracted
would his present political outlook seem to
him. And could he see Virginia, as she is
to 6em the future, with her agricultural and
manufacturing industries stimulated into
health.ul activity; her limbs unshackled
in trade; her population augmented
under a modification of her political max
inns and social tenets her inventions, dis.
coyeries, and improvements recognized as
second to those of no other state in the
Union; her advanced position resumed
among her sister states the wandering
Pleiad' restored to her place in the grand
constellation of these states, and her peo-
pie awaiting themselves Of all the lights to
be derived from history and experience,
how paltry and contemplate would all
his haranguing about "negro supremacy"
appear, and how insufferably vain and
arrogant. his "record of secesslon," which
is now made the chief cornerstone of
his popularity before the peoplel
The United States presents, at this mo-
ment, to the eye of the world-spectator, a
grandcr spectacle than has ever before
been witnessed in the history of our race
In spite of all that can be alleged against
as by foreign and domestic calumniators,
our republic presents theatre of moral,
political, and social activity more interesting
to the statesman, philosopher and philan-
thropist than has ever before been exhib-
tied by any government upon earth. The
free states and republics of ancient and
modern times, great and signalized as
many of them were, sink into diminution.
when placed in comparison with the mag
nilicent fabric reared by the fathers of the
American system ofstates-a system based
on well-defned and accurately balanced
constitutional law, and which will forever
hold the several states in their respective
orbits, If the attraction of the central
power is steadily maintained against the
centrifugal tendencies developing into seces-
sion, as in 1850. Here is government of
the grandest composite order, unlike, in
many respects, any other ever before
reared by man, based on an equal distri-
button of rights and principles among the
states, with perfect defence and protection
to citizens of all classes and conditions.
as well as entire equality recog-
nized among all the members
OF the body politic--and the harmonious
action of the whole complicated system is
such as to astonish the believers in the old
constitutional politics, or those absolutistic
motions which first sprung up and flourish
ed under barbaric conquests. and after
wards settled down into govovernments of
rank, wealth, fashion, and other aristocratic |
pretensions.
In no part of the world, nor in any !
century OF its history, has there been a
nation extending over so vast an extent Of
territory, which has yielded so mild and
paternal government, or one found more
competent for the preservation of neace
order, and subordnation to rlebtfuI
authority. 1t is idle TO instance the
exceptional character of some of orr
laws growing ont OF and rendered necessary
py the presence of rebellion. These were
abnormal manifestations. developed not
from any Inherent defect in the system. but
originating IN Che vicious tendencies to sub
vert and destroy it. Whatever is necessary
Tor preserving the life ola nation should never
be complained Of by those plotting its de-
Men who seek to overthrow leo;-
innate authority in government should cal
cdlate on such resistance as is necessary 70 i
maintain and enforce il. To ,
whimper over such resistance, and decry Il
as tyrannical and oppressive is the last ,
hing brave man, melting to rebellious ,
plots, should be thought capable of doing
Much less should he make his plotted trea- /
ION, proving utterly abortive in its execu- 4