And the only danger which threatens those high
prospects is that miserable spirit which, disregarding the obligations
of honor, makes war upon the Constitution; which induces men to assume
powers they do not possess, trampling as well upon the great principles
which lie at the foundation of the Declaration of Independence, and the
Constitution of the Union, as upon the honorable obligations which were
fixed upon them by their fathers. They with internecine strife would
sacrifice themselves and their brethren to a spirit which is a disgrace
to our common country. With these views, it will not be surprising, to
those who most differ from me, that I feel an ardent desire for the
success of this State-rights Democracy; that, convinced as I am of the
ill consequences of the described heresies unless they be corrected; of
the evils upon which they would precipitate the country unless they are
restrained--I say, none need be surprised if, prompted by such
aspirations, and impressed by such forebodings as now open themselves
before me, I have spoken freely, yielding to motives I would suppress
and can not avoid. I have often, elsewhere than in the State of which I
am a citizen, spoken in favor of that party which alone is national, in
which alone lies the hope of preserving the Constitution and the
perpetuation of the Government and of the blessings which it was
ordained and established to secure.
Pages:
873
874
875
876
877
878
879
880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897