“General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States,” circa 26 January–7 February 1844, Thomas Bullock Copy
Source Note
JS, “General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States,” , Hancock Co., IL, ca. 26 Jan.–7 Feb. 1844. Version copied ca. 7 Feb. 1844; handwriting of with insertions in handwriting of ; dockets in handwriting of and unidentified scribe; seventeen pages; JS Collection, CHL.
burthens.” Great Britain surely lacked the laudable humanity and fostering clemency to grant such a just plan of Union— but the sentiment remains like the land that honor’d its birth, as a pattern for wise men to studythe convenienceof thepeoplemorethanthe comfortof the Cabinet.
And one of the most noble fathers of our freedom and ’s glory: Great in war, Great in peace, Great in the estimation of the World; and Great in the hearts of his Countrymen, the Illustrious [George] Washington, said in his first inaugural address to Congress: “I behold the surest pledges that as, on one side, no local prejudices or attachments, no separate views or party animosities, will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests, so, on another, that the foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; and the pre-eminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its Citizens, and command the respect of the world.” Verily, here shines the virtue and the wisdom of a Statesman in such lucid rays that had every succeeding Congress followed the rich instruction, in all their deliberations and enactments, for the benefits and convenience of the whole community and the communities of which it is composed, no sound of a Rebellion in ; no rupture in ; no Mob in expelling her Citizens by executive authority; corruption in the ballot boxes; a border warfare between and : hard times and distress: outbreak upon outbreak in the principle cities: Murder, Robbery, and defalcation, scarcity of money, and a thousand other difficulties, would have torn asunder the bonds of the : destroyed the confidence of Man with Man; and left the great body of the people to mourn over misfortunes in poverty brought on by corrupt legislation in an hour of proud vanity, for self aggrandizement. The great Washington soon after the foregoing faithful admonition for the common welfare of his , further [p. 5]