The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-02-20
The Political Situation.
[Mr Horatio Seymour in the North American Review
February.1

Mr Horato Seymour in the North American Review fc
February.1
The results of this years elections have exi
cited much comment. At first view they seemed
to be due to the dissensions in the Republicafi
ranks, but on closer study their explanation ID
found to lie deeper: it is "ground-swell," os
which all surface disturbances are effects, MOI
causes. To get an understanding of this subiece
1t is necessary that we dismiss from our mindt
all partisan prejudices for II concerns the organic
principles of our government, and demands I
thoughtful consideration.
The American people are divided into two
parties; these grow out of the form of our govs
ernment; each is needed for its preservation. An
agree that there is a division line between the
powers of the General and the State governments.
dangers our union. To extend unduly the j1ris-
dicIion Of Congress leads to corruption.
For long time the Democratic party had the
direction OF affairs. The division of our country;
into free and slave States led the latter out Of
fear of Federal interference TO carry the doctrine
OF State rights too far. Civil war was the result,
Alter The contest was over there was reac;iofr
against the doctrine of State rights A feeling
grew up that the stability of the General Gov.
ernment might be insured by giving TO it larger
powers. Jurisdiction was mistaken for strength
This sentiment was carried too far, for, while
State rights have been unduly magni6ed, they:
still exist, and are as sacred the rights OF the
General Government
Our oldest political organisms are those needed
by local communities and which are designed for
the preservation of the rights of the respective
localities. These organizations have different
names, but they are substantially what we now
call towns. Notwithstanding the diversities Of
language and lineage In our country, the people
gave like powers and forms to their local govern
ments. Our Union and Constitution grew out Of
these facts Their existence depends upon pre-
serving the boundaries between the different
governmental function thus established. At the
close of the civil war the public feeling was so
excited that prejudice grew up ag .inst the term
rights OF States" !:
At the last Presidential election the Republi.
can party selected IS its candidate one Nho went
very far in favor of Capitalization" He exv
pressed his joy that power gravitated more and
more towards the national capital. at
member of the Cabinet 10 1880, speaking Of
our government in an address which was circu,
lated by the Republican organization, said:
ut must not be forgotten that this government
Is no longer the simple machinery il was in the
early days Of the rspnblic The bacolic .ge of
esis Of nearly ffty millions Of 81 people - spIead .
ever an immense surface, with occupations of
endless variety aud great magnitude, producing
interests 60 pushing, powerful, and % constantly
appealing to the government, rightfblly or
wrongfully, that the requirements OF statesman
ship demanded in this age are far aifsreut from,
To show how far recent administrations have
drilled from the positions held by the patriots
who formed the Constitution it will only be me-.
cessary to refer to the warnings uttered BY
Washington In his his farewell address II isre-;
markable not only for it's wisdom and foresight,
but from the fact that it apty describes the con-
dition into which We have been drawn by the
influence OF destructive curreuts:
'Fhe spirit OF encfoachment tends to coDsOli-,
GATE the powers OF all departments in one, and