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wrong…doing。 He well deserves to be called； as he has been called；
the Defender of the Constitution。 There are really no blows to be
given by him but defensive ones。 He is not a leader； but a
follower。 His leaders are the men of '87。 〃I have never made an
effort；〃 he says； 〃and never propose to make an effort； I have never
countenanced an effort； and never mean to countenance an effort； to
disturb the arrangement as originally made； by which the various
States came into the Union。〃 Still thinking of the sanction which
the Constitution gives to slavery； he says； 〃Because it was a part
of the original compact let it stand。〃 Notwithstanding his
special acuteness and ability； he is unable to take a fact out of
its merely political relations； and behold it as it lies absolutely
to be disposed of by the intellect what； for instance； it
behooves a man to do here in America to…day with regard to slavery；
but ventures； or is driven； to make some such desperate answer as
the following； while professing to speak absolutely； and as a
private man from which what new and singular code of social
duties might be inferred？ 〃The manner；〃 says he； 〃in which the
governments of those States where slavery exists are to regulate it
is for their own consideration； under their responsibility to their
constituents； to the general laws of propriety； humanity； and
justice； and to God。 Associations formed elsewhere； springing from
a feeling of humanity； or any other cause； have nothing whatever to
do with it。 They have never received any encouragement from me； and
they never will。〃
They who know of no purer sources of truth； who have traced up
its stream no higher； stand； and wisely stand； by the Bible and the
Constitution； and drink at it there with reverence and humility； but
they who behold where it comes trickling into this lake or that
pool； gird up their loins once more； and continue their pilgrimage
toward its fountain…head。
No man with a genius for legislation has appeared in America。
They are rare in the history of the world。 There are orators；
politicians； and eloquent men； by the thousand； but the speaker has
not yet opened his mouth to speak who is capable of settling the
much…vexed questions of the day。 We love eloquence for its own
sake； and not for any truth which it may utter； or any heroism it
may inspire。 Our legislators have not yet learned the comparative
value of free…trade and of freedom； of union； and of rectitude； to a
nation。 They have no genius or talent for comparatively humble
questions of taxation and finance； commerce and manufacturers and
agriculture。 If we were left solely to the wordy wit of legislators
in Congress for our guidance； uncorrected by the seasonable
experience and the effectual complaints of the people； America would
not long retain her rank among the nations。 For eighteen hundred
years； though perchance I have no right to say it； the New Testament
has been written； yet where is the legislator who has wisdom and
practical talent enough to avail himself of the light which it sheds
on the science of legislation？
The authority of government； even such as I am willing to submit
to for I will cheerfully obey those who know and can do better
than I； and in many things even those who neither know nor can do so
well is still an impure one： to be strictly just； it must have
the sanction and consent of the governed。 It can have no pure right
over my person and property but what I concede to it。 The progress
from an absolute to a limited monarchy； from a limited monarchy to a
democracy； is a progress toward a true respect for the individual。
Even the Chinese philosopher was wise enough to regard the
individual as the basis of the empire。 Is a democracy； such as we
know it； the last improvement possible in government？ Is it not
possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing
the rights of man？ There will never be a really free and
enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual
as a higher and independent power； from which all its own power and
authority are derived； and treats him accordingly。 I please myself
with imagining a State at least which can afford to be just to all
men； and to treat the individual with respect as a neighbor； which
even would not think it inconsistent with its own repose if a few
were to live aloof from it； not meddling with it； nor embraced by
it； who fulfilled all the duties of neighbors and fellow…men。 A
State which bore this kind of fruit； and suffered it to drop off as
fast as it ripened； would prepare the way for a still more perfect
and glorious State； which also I have imagined； but not yet anywhere
seen。
End