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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
we shall be found, as we ever have been, a.gainst the former and for the latter, Especially shall we never act in concert with these, or raise our feeble voice for their advancement in power, who shall, under the colour of law, or any pretence whatever either plunder our State, in- vade her territory, or defame her character. Next to the Jove we bear to liberty, our attachment is to the land of our birth; and with foes to the one or the other, we have no views in common or any fellow- ship of feeling. Neither can we cherish any sincere respect for such of our own people, as are willing to take up arms against their native or adopted home. He who bears no affection for his country, can claim no Affection from us. But that against which we are mostly disposed to direct our efforts, is the abhorred and baleful doctrine, so stoutly contended for, by the federal consolidation party throughout the Union, of introducing the Standing Army of the United States, as arbiter, in all disputes be- tween the people of a State & the officers of the General Government, subjecting by the force of the bayonet, the Authority of the former, to the arbitrary will of the latter. The triumph of ·this principle must be on the ruins of Liberty. Its destroying effects upon our free in- stitutions are already felt. At this ver.y time, in a neighboring State, "t1ie Marshall's truncheon" ii; erected over "the Judges robe," Do the injured people of a Sovereign State Complain! They are told that it is their privilege to do that-but if they venture beyond it-if they attempt any redress of wrongs, other than Memorial, remonstrance, & supplication to the mercy of those who inflict the injuries, every such effort shall be punished as rebellion, by the bayonet; or as treason, by the scaffold, 'l'his is the doctrine of the Proclamation Force Bill men, Aud it is this doctrine, so hostile to the reserved rights of the States, & destructive of everything in the nature of freedom, which more than any other, we desire to see exposed, & to ham extirpated from the land; for th<'re can be no security but in servility, and no peace but the repose of despotism in that government, ,vhere selfishness Legis- lates, and the Sword superi,:edes the tribunals of justice, Yet there arc those who seem satisfied with a govemment of this character- quite content with that safety which they find in submission, & with that peace which is purchased with the price of dishonor, Many quietly disposed individuals looking upon tranquility as the greatest blessing of life, are ready to surrender their rights, rather than peril their repose, or jeopard their profits in trade, to maintain and secure them. Very little arguments addressed to the fears or selfishness of such, will suffice to make them deny even the true principles of Gov- ernment, lest they should be called to their defence; and to become the apologists & supporters of Lawless Legislation, rather . than hazard either money, life, or ease, in a vigorous opposition to their oppressor!". It is by thus operating on the haser passions of nature that the federal party expect to work destruction to the spirit of democracy, & engraft upon our government their own principles of consolidation & military rule. But it is to he hoped that disappointments will attend exertions so ad,·erse to the happiness of :\Ian. Surely there yet lingers with the people intelligence enough to discern their true interests-Virtue enough to entitle' them to freeJom-and courage enough to repel its pre- sumptuous invaders. 'l'o Counteract the schemes of the ambitious;
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