Nearlyonehalfoftheentirepropertyoftheslave—holdingStatesconsistsinthisrighttotheservicesofhumanbeingsofaracesodifferentfromourownastorenderanyamalgamationtothelastdegreeimprobable，ifnotimpossible。Anyonemayeasilyestimatethedeepinterestthatthemastersfeelinthepreservationoftheirproperty。Thespiritoftheageisdecidedlyagainstthem，andofthistheymustbesensible；itdoublyaugmentstheiranxietyforthefuture。Thenaturalincrease，moreover，ofthesehumanchattelsrendersanoutletindispensable，ortheywillsoonceasetobeprofitablebytheexcessoftheirnumbers。TothesefactsweowethefigmentswhichhaverenderedtheSouthernschooloflogiciansalittlepresuming，perhaps，andcertainlyverysophistical。Amongothertheorieswefindtheboldone，thattheTerritoriesoftheUnitedStatesaretheproperty，notoftheseveralStates，butoftheirindividualpeople；inotherwords，thatthenativeofNewYorkorRhodeIsland，regardlessofthelawsofthecountry，hasarighttoremovetoanyoneoftheseTerritories，carrywithhimjustsuchpropertyashemayseefit，andmakesuchuseofitashemayfindconvenient。Thisisanovelco—partnershipinjurisdiction，tosaytheleast，andreallydoesnotseemworthyofaseriousreply。
TheterritoryoftheUnitedStatesisstrictlysubjecttotheGovernment。TheonlyclauseintheConstitutionwhichreferstothisinterestconveysthatmeaning。But，weretheinstrumentsilent，thepowerwouldremainthesame。Sovereigntyofthisnatureisnotdeterminedbymunicipallaw，butbythelawofnations。Thus，forinstance，therighttomakewar，whichisinherentineverystateofFOREIGNRELATIONS，inferstherighttosecureitsconquests；andthatclauseoftheConstitutionwhichdeclaresthatthewar—makingpowershallabideinCongress，says，atthesametime，byanunavoidableimplication，thatthenationallegislatureshallhaveallauthoritytocontroltheconsequencesofthiswar。Itmaydisposeofitsprisonersanditsconquestsaccordingtoitsownviewsofpolicyandjustice，subjectonlytothegreatprinciplesthatmoderncivilizationhasintroducedintopublicconcerns。
OnecanunderstandwhyadifferenttheoryisinfavorattheSouth。Itwouldbeveryconvenient，nodoubt，totheslaveholdertobepermittedtotransferhisslavestothegolddiggings，andgatherthepreciousmetalinlieuofacropofcotton。Butthis，thepolicyofthewholecountryforbids。CongresshasveryjustlyleftthedecisionofthisveryimportantmattertothepeopleofCaliforniaitself；andtheyhavealmostunanimouslyraisedtheirvoicesagainstthemeasure。This，afterall，isthereallysorepointincontroversybetweentheSouthandtheNorth。Thefugitiveslavehasbeen，andwillbegivenuptothelegalclaimsofhismaster；and，inavastmajorityofthepeopleoftheNorth，thereisnodispositiontodisturbthelegislativecompromisethathasbeenmadeofthismatter。ItistruethattheNorthstillowestheSouthagreatdealmore，thoughitmaybequestionedifthemachinationsofdemagoguesandtheravingsoffanaticismwillpermitittodischargetheobligation。Penallawsshouldbepassed，punishingthosewhomeddlewiththisgraveinterestoutofthelimitsoftheStateinwhichthepartiesreside；andenergyshouldbeshowninrenderingsuchanactofjusticeeffectiveandsure。Good—neighborhood，alone，wouldexactsomesuchprovisionfromeverywell—disposedcommunity，andtherecannotbeadoubtthatgoodpolicycoincides。Theabolitionists，beyondadispute，haveonlyhadatendencytorivetthefettersoftheslave，andtodestroythepeaceofthecountry。
Emancipationhasnotbeenextendedasinglefootbyanyoftheirprojects；whilethewholeSouthhasbeenthrownintoanattitudeofhostiledefiance，notonlytowardsthesemisguidedpersons，buttotheirinnocentanddisgustedfellow—citizens。Theremightbeahopethatthewell—intentionedportionofthesepeople，anditisbothnumerousandrespectable，couldbeinducedtoadoptawisermodeofprocedure，wereitnotthatdissolutepoliticians，whocareonlyforthesuccessofparties，andwhomakeastalking—horseofphilanthropy，astheywouldofreligionorpatriotism，oranyotherextendedfeelingthathappenedtocomewithintheirinfluence，interposetheirsinisterschemestokeepagitationalivefortheirbenefit。This，then，istheactualstateofthings，asbetweentheNorthandtheSouth；andwewilltakeahastyviewofitsprobableconsequencesonthegrowthandcommerceofthetownsatthemouthoftheHudson。
{California=California，newlyconqueredfromMexicoandwheregoldhadbeendiscoveredin1848，hadin1849adoptedaConstitutionbanningslavery，atthesametimethatitappliedforadmissiontotheUnionasafreeState；itwasadmittedin1850aspartoftheso—calledCompromiseof1850，whichincludedtheFugitiveSlaveActempoweringtheFederalGovernmenttoseizeandreturnslavesfleeingfromslavetofreeStates}
Itisundeniablethatanyseriousderangementofthepoliticalinstitutionsofthecountry，wouldproduceaveryinjuriouseffectonitsprosperitygenerally；andperhapsinitsimmediateinfluence，primarilyonitscommerce。Butthefirstreversesofsuchacalamityovercome，wedonotseereasonforbelievingthatthewell—establishedprinciple，thattradewillmakeitsownlaws，shouldnotapplytothesetownsaswellastoanyotherplaceknowninthehistoryoftheworld。NewYork，ashasalreadybeenintimated，atthismomentcontributesquiteasmuchtotheprosperityofLondon，asitwouldprobablyhavedonehadthepoliticalconnectionbetweenEnglandandhercoloniesneverbeensevered。MakingallowancesforthegreaterprosperityinducedbythepoliticalindependenceofAmerica，itisnotimprobablethatsheevencontributesmore。Societyandtradeenacttheirownlaws。Thefirstisfoundtobemainlyindependentoftheinfluenceofpoliticalpower，andthesame，withcertainqualifications，maybesaidtobeequallytrueofthelast。
Butweseelittletoapprehendfromthissourceofdanger。Iftheslave—holdinginterestwouldberenderedreallymoresecurebyseparationorsecession，then，indeed，sucharesultmightbelookedforwithsomedegreeofconfidence。ButitisverycertainthatthemeasurewouldleadtoanescapeofmostoftheslavesnearthenorthernfrontiersoftheSouthernConfederacy，aswellasofavastnumberofthosewholiveatagreaterdistancefromwhatwouldprobablybethedividingline。TheNorthhasbeenarousedtothenecessityofbeingjust，andofadheringtotheconditionsoftheConstitution；andtherecentmeasuresofthecountrygotoprovethereisnorealdisposition，inthemasses，todootherwise。TheattachmenttotheUnionisverystrongandgeneralthroughoutthewholeofthisvastcountry，anditisonlynecessarytosoundthetocsintobringtoitsmaintenanceaphalanxequaltoupholditsstandardagainsttheassaultsofanyenemies。TheimpossibilityoftheNorth—westernStatesconsentingthatthemouthoftheMississippishouldbeheldbyaforeignpower，isinitselfaguarantyofthelongexistenceofthepresentpoliticalties。Then，theincreasingandovershadowingpowerofthenationisofacharactersovast，soexciting，soattractive，sowelladaptedtocarrywithitpopularimpulses，thatmenbecomeproudofthenameofAmerican，andfeelunwillingtothrowawaythedistinctionforanyoftheminorconsiderationsoflocalpolicy。EverymanseesandfeelsthatastateisrapidlyadvancingtomaturitywhichmustreducethepretensionsofevenancientRometosupremacy，toasecondaryplaceintheestimationofmankind。AcenturywillunquestionablyplacetheUnitedStatesofAmericaprominentlyattheheadofcivilizednations，unlesstheirpeoplethrowawaytheiradvantagesbytheirownmistakes——theonlyrealdangertheyhavetoapprehend：andthemindclingstothishopewithabuoyancyandfondnessthatarebecomingprofoundlynational。Wehaveathousandweaknesses，andmakemanyblunders，beyondadoubt，asapeople；butwhereshallweturntofindaparalleltoourprogress，ourenergy，andincreasingpower？Thatwhichithasrequiredcenturies，inotherregions，toeffect，ishereaccomplishedinasinglelife；andthestudentinhistoryfindstheresultsofallhisstudiescrowdedasitmightbeintotheincidentsoftheday。
Agreatdealthathasbeendoneamongusoflate，doubtlessremainstobeundone；butweareaccustomedtochangesofthisnature，andtheydonotseemtobeaccompaniedbythesamedangerhereaselsewhere。Thepeoplehaveyettodiscoverthattheseemingthroesoflibertyarenothingbutthebreathoftheirmasters，thedemagogues；andthatattheverymomentwhentheyaremadetoappeartohavethegreatestinfluenceonpublicaffairs，theyreallyexercisetheleast。Here，inourview，isthegreatdangertothecountry——whichisgoverned，infact，notbyitspeople，asispretended，butbyfactionsthatarethemselvescontrolledmostabsolutelybythemachinationsofthedesigning。Ahundredthousandelectors，underthepresentsystemofcaucusesandconventions，arejustasmuchwieldedbycommandasahundredthousandsoldiersinthefield；andthewire—pullersbehindthescenescanassecurelyanticipatetheobedienceoftheiragents，asthemembersofthebureauxinanycabinetinEuropecanlookwithconfidencetothecomplianceoftheirsubordinates。Partyisthemostpotentdespotofthetimes。Itsveryirresponsibilitygivesitanenergyandweightthatovershadowstheregularactionofgovernment。Andthusitis，thatwehearmen，intheirplacesinthenationallegislature，boastingoftheirallegiancetoitsinterestsandmandates，insteadofreferringtheirdutiestothecountry。
Alllargecommercialtownsare，intheirnature，nationalinfeeling。Thediversityandmagnitudeoftheirinterestsarecertaintokeepthemso；and，aswehavealreadysaid，NewYorkformsnoexceptiontotherule。ShebelongsalreadymoretothecountrythanshedoestotheState，andeverydayhasatendencytoincreasethiscatholicdispositionamongthevotariesofcommerce。
Thatsomeextravagantnotions，inwhichinteresthasthrownitsmistsbeforethereasonofourpeople，exist，is，wethinkundeniable；andweconcedethatthetworecentlypromulgatedfigmentsoftheequilibriumandtherightsofpersonsoverthepropertyandTerritoryoftheUnitedStateshaveacharacteroffeeblenessandobviousdelusionthatwouldexciteourwonder，didwenothavesomanyoccasionstoobserveandcommentonthefrailtyofhumanjudgmentwhenwarpedbymotivesofthisnature。
Tousitwouldseem，thatthepeopleofanyparticularStatehavejustthesameclaimtousetheshipsofwar，andforts，andpublicbuildingsoftheUnitedStates，astheyhave，unpermittedbythesovereignpower，tooccupyanyofitslands。Thatwhichisthepropertyofthepublicisnomorethepropertyofindividuals，inlaworreason，thantheestateofanyonemanistheestateofhisneighbor。Carryoutthedoctrineinspirit，anditwouldleadtogeneralconfusion，andastateofthingssoimpracticableastodisorganizesociety。Ifthepeoplearethusintrinsicallymastersandownersofallaroundthem，whyaretheynottheproprietorsofthebanksandothercorporationscreatedbythemselves？Theymadethegovernment，ifyouwill，thoughinaverylimitedcapacity；andtheymadethesecorporations，muchmoredirectlyandunequivocally；and，admittingthetruthofthiscopartnershipprinciple，inwhicheverymanissofaramemberofthefirmthathemaytakehisshareoftheassets，wecannotseethatheisnotequallyentitledtolayhishandsonalltheotherprogenyofthepopularwill。Inaword，thedoctrinewouldseemtobenotonlyweak，butabsurd；andwefindadifficultyinbelievingthatanycool—headedandreflectingmancanfeelthenecessityforrefutingit。
{justthesameclaim=CooperisagainridiculingJohnC。
Calhoun’sassertionthat，becausethenewTerritoriesoftheWestacquiredfromMexicobelongedtothepeopleratherthantheFederalGovernment，SouthernershadaninherentrighttobringandkeeptheirslavesinthemregardlessofFederallaw}
Butotherdangersundeniablybesetthecountry，thathavenoconnectionwiththisquestionofSlavery。Howeverrepugnantitmaybetotheprideofhumannature，orthefavoritedoctrinesoftheday，therecanbelittlequestionthatthegreatestsourcesofapprehensionoffutureeviltothepeopleofthiscountry，aretobelookedforintheabuseswhichhavetheiroriginintheinfirmitiesandcharacteristicsofhumannature。Inaword，thepeoplehavegreatcausetodistrustthemselves；andthenumerousandseriousinnovationstheyaremakingonallsides，onnotonlythemostvenerableprinciplesinfavorwithmen，butonthedivinelaw，mustcauseeveryreflectingmantoforbodeastateofthings，farmoreseriousthaneventhatwhichwouldarisefromaseparationoftheStatesintoisolatedparts。
Theparticularforminwhichthisimminentdangerisnow，forthefirsttimeseriouslysincetheestablishmentoftheGovernment，beginningtoexhibititself，isthroughthecombinationsofthedesigningtoobtainamercenarycorpsofvoters，insignificantastonumbers，butformidablebytheirunion，toholdthebalanceofpower，andtoeffecttheirpurposesbypractisingonthewilful，blind，wayward，and，wemightalmostadd，fatalobstinacyofthetwogreatpoliticalpartiesofthecountry。Here，inourview，isthedangerthatthenationhasmosttoapprehend。Theresultisasplainasitislamentable。Ineffect，itthrowsthepoliticalpoweroftheentireRepublicintothehandsoftheintriguer，thedemagogue，andtheknave。Honestmenarenotpractisedonbysuchcombinations；but，withafatalitythatwouldseemtobetheverysportofdemons，theretheystand，drawnupinformidablearray，innearlyequallinesofopenandderidinghostility，leadingthosewhonolongerconceiveitnecessarytoevenaffectthesemblanceofrespecttomanyoftheplainestandmostimportantoftheprinciplesofsocialintegritythathaveeverbeenreceivedamongmen。
AnyonefamiliarwiththeconditionofEuropemustknow，thatunderthepressureofsocietyinthatquarteroftheworld，andtowardwhichwearefasttendingbyarapidaccumulationofnumbers，thepresentinstitutionsofAmerica，exercisedundertheprevalentopinionsoftheday，couldnotendureatwelvemonth。
ThatwhichisnowseeninFrancerenderingrealpoliticallibertyamerestalking—horseforthefurtheranceoftheprojectsoftheboldestadventurers，wouldinevitablybeseenhere；thebayonetalonewouldbereliedonforthepreservationofthenearestanddearestofhumanrights。Therecouldandwouldbenoothersecurityforthepeaceofsociety，andthatcircleofpowerwhich，risinginthemasses，endsinthesceptreofthesingledespot，wouldoncemorebemadeasitmightbeinderisionofalloureffortstobefree。
{nowseeninFrance=followingtheFrenchRevolutionof1848
LouisNapoleonBonaparte（1808—1873），nephewofthefirstEmperorNapoleon，hadbeenelectedasPresidentofFranceandwasconsolidatinghispower——inDecember1851，shortlyafterCooper’sdeath，hewouldproclaimhimselfEmperorNapoleonIII}
Iftheexistenceofnationsresembledthatofindividuals，itwouldnotbedifficulttoforetelltheconsequencesofthisstateofthings；butcommunitiesmaybesaidtohavenolives，andareevertobefoundoccupyingtheirplaces，andusingthemeansassignedtothembyProvidence，whetherfreeorenslaved，prosperousorthereverse。Noonecanforetellthefutureofthisgreatcountry，inconsequenceoftheextentandnumberofitsoutlets，eachaprovisionofProvidencetoputacheckonrevolutionsandviolence。
Theelementsofamonarchydonotexistamongus；thehabitsoftheentirecountryareopposedtothereceptionofsuchaformofgovernment。Nordoweknow，badasourconditionisrapidlygettingtobe，strongasarethetendenciestosocialdissolution，andtotheabuseswhichdemandforcetosubdue，thatanythingwouldbegainedbytheadoptionofanysubstituteforthepresentpolityofthecountrytobefoundinEurope。Theabusestherearepossiblyworsethanourown，andtheonlyquestionwouldseemtobeastothedegreeofsufferingandwrongtowhichmenarecompelledtosubmitthroughtheinfirmitiesoftheirownnature。Thereisonegreatadvantageinthemonarchicalprinciple，whensubduedbyliberalinstitutions，asinthecaseofthegovernmentofthatnationfromwhichwearederived，whichitwouldseemarepubliccannotpossess。Wealludetothetransmissionofanominalexecutivepowerthatsparestheturmoil，expense，andstrugglesofanelection，andwhichanswersallthepurposesoftherealauthoritiesoftheStateindesignatingthosewhoaretoexercisethefunctionsofrulersforthetimebeing。Ithasoftenbeenpredictedthattheperiodicalelectionsofthechiefmagistrateofthiscountrywill，atnodistantday，destroytheinstitutions。Itwouldbeidletodenythatthedangermanifestlyincreaseswiththeexpedientsoffactions；andthatthereareverygravegroundsforapprehendingtheworstconsequencesfromthissourceofevil。Asitnowis，theworkingofthesystemhasalreadyproducedatotaldeparturefromtheoriginalintentionoftheGovernment；ascheme，probably，thatwasradicallydefectivewhenadopted，andwhichcontainedtheseedsofitsownruin。Recoursetoelectorshasbecomeanidleform，ponderousandawkward，andinsomeofitsfeaturesuselesslyhazardous。WeareinthehabitofcomparingthecostofgovernmentinthiscountrywiththatofothernationsintheOldWorld。Beyondaquestion，theAmericansenjoygreatadvantagesinthisimportantparticular，owingtotheirexemptionfromsourcesofexpensesthatweighsoheavilyonthosewhorelyforthepeaceofsocietysolelyonthestronghand。ButconfiningtheinvestigationsimplytothecostofExecutivesitmaywellbequestionedifwehavenotadoptedthemostexpensivemodeatpresentknownamongcivilizednations。WeentertainverylittledoubtthatthecostofapresidentialelectionfullyequalstheexpendituresoftheempireofGreatBritain，liberalastheyareknowntobe，forthemaintenanceofthedignityofitschiefmagistracy。Noristhistheworstofit；forwhilemuchofthecivillistofamonarchisusefullyemployedincherishingthearts，andinfosteringindustry，tosaynothingofitsboonstothedependentandmeritoriousintheshapeofpensions，notadollarofthemillionsthatarewastedeveryfourthyearamongourselvesinthestrugglesofparties，canbesaidtobeappliedtoapurposethathasnotagreatertendencytoevilthantogood。Thesimplepublicationofdocuments，perhaps，mayformsomeexceptiontotheseabuses；buteventheyaresomuchfilledwithfalsehoods，fallacies，audacioushistoricalmisstatements，exaggerations，andeveryotherabuse，naturallyconnectedwithsuchstruggles，thatwearecompelledtoyieldthemourrespectandcredulitywithlargeallowancesforcautionandtruth。Werethistheplace，anddidourlimitspermit，wewouldgladlypursuethissubject；forsocompletelyhasthehurrahofpopularswaylookeddowneverythinglikerealfreedominthediscussionofsuchatopicastorenderthevoiceofdissentalmostunknowntous。Butourpurposeismerelytoshowwhatprobableeffectsaretoflowfromtheabusesoftheinstitutionsonthegrowthofthegreatcommercialmartofwhichwearewriting。
{recoursetoelectors=theElectoralCollege}
Wecertainlythinkthateventheloosenessoflaw，legislation，andjustice，thatissowidelyspreadingitselfovertheland，isnotexactlyunsuitedtosustaintherapidsettlementofacountry。Nodoubtmenaccomplishmoreintheearlierstagesofsocietywhenperfectlyunfettered，thanwhenbroughtunderthecontrolofthoseprinciplesandregulationswhichalonecanrendersocietypermanentlysecureorhappy。Inthissenseeventheabusestowhichwehaveslightlyalludedmaybetolerated，whichitwouldbeimpossibletoendurewhentheclassoftheneedybecomeformidablefromitsnumbers，andtheywhohadnootherstakeinsocietythantheirnakedassistance，couldcombinetotransferthefruitsofthelaborsofthemoreindustriousandsuccessfultothemselvesbyasimplerecurrencetotheuseoftheballotbox。Wedonotsaythatsuchistobethefateofthiscountry，forthegreatresultsthatseemtobedependentonitssettlementraiseahopethatthehandofProvidencemayyetguideusinsafetythroughtheperiodofdelusion，andthereignofpoliticalfallacies，whichisfastdrawingaroundus。Evilissomuchmixedwithgoodinalltheinterestsoflife，thatitwouldbeboldtopretendtopredictconsequencesofsuchmagnitudeinthehistoryofanynation。Butwefeelpersuadedthatradicalchangesmustspeedilycome，eitherfromthepowerfulbutinvisiblecontrolofthatBeingwhoeffectshisownpurposesinhisownwiseways，orthetimeismuchnearerthanisordinarilysupposedwhentheveryexistenceofthepoliticalinstitutionsofthiscountryaretobebroughttothetestoftheseverestpracticalexperiment。Thedownwardtendencycanhardlyproceedmuchfurtherwiththesmallestnecessarysecuritytotherightsofcivilizedmen。Whenalegislativebodycanbebroughtsolemnlytodecidebyitsvotethatbecausetheprinciplesoflawleavethemthecontroloftherulesforthedescentofproperty，therefore，wheneveralandlordmayhappentodie，histenantshallhavetheprivilegeofconvertinghisleaseholdestateintoafeeonwhichthedebtissecuredintheshapeofmortgage，thereislittleleftinthewayofsecuritytotheaffluentandunrepresented。Theymustunitetheirmeanstopreventdestruction；andwoetothatlandwhichgivessoplausibleanexcusetotherichandintelligentforcombiningtheirmeanstooverturnthelibertiesofanation，asistobefoundinabuseslikethosejustnamed。Weverywellknowthattheideaisprevalentamongusoftheirresistiblepowerofpopularsway；buthehaslivedinvainwhohasseenthecourseofeventsinothernationsforthelasthalfcentury，andhasnotmadethediscoverythatmeninpoliticalmattersbecometheservantsofmoneyascertainlyandalmostasactivelyasthespiritsofthelampweremadetodothebiddingofAladdin。Tous，itwouldseemthatthefutureofthiscountryholdsoutbutthreepossiblesolutionsofthetendenciesofthepresenttime——viz。thebayonet，areturntothetrueprinciplesoftheoriginalgovernment，ortheswayofmoney。Forthefirstitmaybetoosoon；thepressureofsocietyisscarcelysufficienttoelevateasuccessfulsoldiertotheheightofdespotism，thoughtheladderhasbeenraisedmorethanonceagainstthecitadeloftheConstitutionbyadventurersofthischaracter，throughthefollyandheedlessimpulsesofthemasses。Fiftyyearshence，andaconditionofsocietywillprobablyexistamongusthatwouldeffectuallyhavecarriedouttheprincipleofdespoticrulewhichisbeginningtoshowitselfinthebudamongstus，andwhichisnothingmorethantheshadowingoutofcomingevents。
{legislativebodycanbebrought=theNewYorkStatelegislaturehadenactedlawsgivingcertaintenantfarmerstherighttopurchasethelandtheyoccupied，thusendingoneofthecausesoftheso—called\"anti—rentwars\"ofthe1840sinupstateNewYork}
Notwithstandingalltheseobvioustendenciesandthemanifestdangersthatbesetthereallibertiesofthecountry，wedonotseethatanymaterialinfluencewillbebroughtbythemtobearuponthefortunesandascendancyoftheparticularplaceofwhichwearewriting。Evenpoliticaldespotisminthisagewouldnecessarilyrespecttheordinaryrightsofcommerce，andquiteprobablythegreatersecuritythatwouldbegiventoproperty，theincreaseddignityandauthorityofthecourtsofjustice，andthevisiblecontrolofavigilantandefficientgovernmentmightratherhaveatendencytobuildupthantochecktheprogressofthecapitalofanycountry。
Civilwar，inourview，canaloneproduceanymaterialcheckstotheprosperityofthesetownsofManhattan。Againstthemaligninfluenceofsogreatasourceofevilnoonecanwithdiscretionventuretopredicttheconsequences。ButwedonotthinkthatitentersintothespiritofthetrueAmericancharacter，soremarkableforitsmildnessanddispositiontomercy，incarryingoutthepowersofgovernment，topermitsuchastruggleaswouldbelikelytoproducelong—continued，orverywitheringlocaldistress。Compromisesinsomeformorotherwouldberesortedto，torestorethecourseofthecommerceofthecountry；andalthoughitmightbe，andprobablywouldbe，thatthiscouldonlybeaccomplishedinthemidstofthetriumphofdisorder，irresponsibility，andthederangementofmostthatisnecessarytopermanentsecurityandquiet，asetoflawswouldariseforthecontroloftheaffairsofthetownsthatwouldexercisetheirsway，withoutanyappealtoregularlyconstitutedauthority，beyondthatofthelawofnecessity。Atthisverymoment，whenwehaveallthemachineryofanefficientgovernmentaroundus，andonehasarighttolooktothecourtsfortheprotectionofhisrights，athousanddollarsofdebtaresecuredandpaidinaplacelikethatofNewYork，bythesoleinfluenceofcommercialopinion，whereonedollarissecuredandpaidbytheprocessoflaw。Tradeissuesitsownedicts，andtheyareordinarilyfoundtobetoopowerfulforresistance，wherevertherearetheconcentratedmeansofrenderingthemformidablebythemagnitudeoftheintereststheycontrol。
Wesee，then，nothinginthefuturethatisverylikelyseriouslytodisturbthecontinuedgrowthandincreasingascendancyofthegreatmartofthecountry。Atradingpeoplewillpursueitsinterestsunderanyconceivableortolerableconditionofthings。
Itwouldrequireagenerationortwo，indeed，toobliterate，orevensensiblytodiminishthehabitsandopinionsnowinexistenceamongthepeople；anditmusteverberememberedthatsocietypursuesitsregularcoursemoreorlesssuccessfully，accordingtocircumstances，eveninthemidstofrevolution，war，andrapine。Abattleisfoughtto—day，andamonthhenceitbecomesdifficulttodiscoveritstraces，overwhichthep{l}oughhasalreadypassed，andamongwhichthehusbandmanisresuminghistoil，ashereplaceshisfences，andclearsawayhisfallentreesafterthepassageofthewhirlwind。Itfollowsfromtheseviews，andthiscourseofreasoning，whichmightbegreatlyextendedandmuchmoresatisfactorilydeveloped，thatpoliticalchangeshavelessdirectinfluenceontheordinarymarchofsocietythaniscommonlysupposed。Thespiritoftheageisandmustberespectedbyrulersofeveryshadeofcharacter；andthefourthestate，asopinioniscommonlytermed，enterslargelyintotheordinaryactionofeveryformofgovernmentorcombinationofsocialorganizationthattheaccidentsofhistoryhaveproduced，orthesagacityandwantsofmenhavemoreambitiouslyparadedbeforetheeyesoftheirfellowcreatures。Whenwecouplewiththesefactsthecertaintythatthereareundercurrentswhichenableordinarysociety，trade，andalltheotheractiveanddailyrecurringinterestsoflife，tomanagetheirownaffairsmoreorlessintheirownway，itisnoteasytoforeseeanymaterialconsequencestotheprogressofaplacelikethisatthemouthoftheHudson，thatcantracetheirrisetothefuturecourseofpoliticaleventsinthecountry。Wedonotanticipateanyapparentdissolutionoftheordinarytiesofsociety，forweknowthatnationswillbearburdensofthisnatureforalongperiodoftime，withoutstrugglingormakingtheeffortnecessarytoremovethem；andthatitisonlywhentheyarefelttobeintolerabletothegreatbodyofthepeoplethatonemayconfidentlyhopeforredressandreformation。Pettywrongsareneverrepairedbythemasses；theysometimesvindicatetheirrightsbymeansofthestrongarm，whenseriouslyrequiredtodoso，butingeneralthewrongisendured，andthevictimimmolatedwithoutawakeningattentionorleavinganyregretsamongthosewhoescapeitsimmediateconsequences。
Ithaslongbeenasubjectofinvestigationamongmoralists，whethertheexistenceoftownslikethoseofLondon，Paris，NewYork，&c。，isorisnotfavorabletothedevelopmentofthebetterqualitiesofthehumancharacter。Asforourselves，wedonotbelieveanymoreinthesuperiorinnocenceandvirtueofaruralpopulationthaninthatofthelargestcapitals，perfectlyconsciousoftheappallingaccumulationofvice，andsin，andcrimethatistobefoundinsuchplacesasLondonandParis，andeveninNewYork。WecannotshutoureyestothenumberlessevilsofthesamegeneralcharacterofdisobediencetothelawofGod，thataretobefoundevenintheforestandthemostsecludeddalesofthecountry。Iftherebeincentivestowrong—doinginthecrowdedpopulationofacapitaltown，therearemanyincentivestorefinement，publicvirtue，andevenpiety，thatarenottobemetwithelsewhere。Inthisrespectweapprehendthatgoodandevilaremorenearlybalancedamongusthaniscommonlysupposed；andwedoubtifitwerepossibletorenderthelawsadeadletterinthestreetsofNewYork，ashasbeendonearoundthebelloftheCapitolatAlbany，andstrictlyamongitsruralpopulation，directlybeneaththeeyesofthehighestauthorityoftheState。Thedangertovaluableandmovablepropertywouldbetooimminent，andthosewhofeltaninterestinitspreservationwouldnotfailtorallyinitsdefence。Itispreciselyonthisprinciplethatintheendpropertywillprotectitselfasagainstthepopularinroadswhichareinevitable，shouldthepresenttendenciesreceivenocheck。Calm，disinterested，andjudiciouslegislationisathingnottobehopedfor。Itneveroccursinanystateofsocietyexceptunderthepressureofgreatevents；
andthisfortheverysimplereasonthatmen，actinginfactions，arenevercalm，judicious，ordisinterested。
{aroundthebelloftheCapitol=CooperisalludingtothepublicfermentinupstateNewYork，duringthe\"anti—rentwars\"
ofthe1840s，resultinginlawsinfringing，inCooper’sview，onthelegalcontractualandpropertyrightsoflandowners}
Nevertheless，thecommunitywillliveon，suffer，andbedeluded：
itmayevenfancyitselfalmostwithinreachofperfection，butitwillliveontobedisappointed。Thereisnosuchthingonearth，andtheonlyrealquestionfortheAmericanstatesmanistomeasuretheresultsofdifferentdefectivesystemsforthegovernmentofthehumanrace。Wearefarfromsayingthatourown，withallitsflagrantandobviousdefects，willbetheworst，moreespeciallywhenconsideredsolelyinconnectionwithwholenumbers；thoughwecannotdeny，nordowewishtoconceal，thebitternessofthewrongsthataresofrequentlyinflictedbythemanyonthefew。Thisis，perhaps，theworstspeciesoftyranny。Hewhosuffersunderthearbitrarypowerofasingledespot，orbytheselfishexactionsofaprivilegedfew，iscertaintobesustainedbythesympathiesofthemasses。Buthewhoiscrushedbythemassesthemselves，mustlookbeyondthelimitsofhisearthlybeingforconsolationandsupport。Thewrongscommittedbydemocraciesareofthemostcruelcharacter；
andthoughwantinginthatapparentviolenceandsternnessthatmarksthecourseoflawinthehandsofnarrowergovernments，forithasnoneedofthisseverity，theycarrywiththemintheircourseallthefeelingsthatrenderinjusticeandoppressionintolerable。
WethinkthatthetownsofAmerica，generally，willsufferlessfromthesepopularabusesthantheruraldistricts。Ashasbeenalreadysaid，associatedwealthwilltakecareofitself。Itmaymake，andprobablywillmake，intheearlierstagesofthesepoliticalchanges，somecapitalmistakes；andtherecannotbeaquestionthatintherapacityofprivateeffortstoaccumulate，someofthemostobviousandnaturalexpedientsofprotectionwillbeoverlooked，untiltheneglectcompelsrecoursepossiblyeventotheuseofthestronghand。Stillpropertywilleventuallyprotectitself。For，inanagelikethis，wheneventhebayonetmustbecarriedordinarilyinitssheath，andwhenmengettobeaccustomedfrominfancytotheinbredrecognitionofmanyofthemostimportantprinciplesofgovernment，societystarts，asitmightbe，farinadvanceofthepointwhichitreachedintheagesofpuremilitaryandarbitrarysway。ThecelebratedsayingofNapoleon，\"L’Europesera，danscinquanteans，ourepublicaineoucossaque，\"hasaprofoundsignification；
yetitmustbegreatlyqualifiedtobereceivedwithsafety。The\"cossaque\"ofthecloseofthenineteenthcenturywillbeaverydifferentthingfromthe\"cossaque\"ofthedaysofPaul。Itnowmeanslittlemorethanconservatism，andthis，too，aconservatismthatisnotabsolutelywithoutthatprincipleofconcessiontothespiritsandwantsofthepassingmoment。ThesequarrelsandbitterconflictsofwhichwehearsomuchintheOldWorld，likesomeofourown，havetheirriseinabstractionsquiteasmuchasinactualoppression；andthealternativeofferedbychangehalfthetimeamountstobutlittlemorethanthesubstitutionofKingStorkforKingLog。Itmaynotbeagreeabletothepride，recollections，andnationaltraditionsoftheHungarian，ortheItalian，tosubmittotheswayofaGerman；
butitmaywellbequestionedifthesubstitutestheywouldofferforthepresentformofgovernmentwouldgreatlytendtotheameliorationoftherespectivepeople。
{L’Europesera……=Europewill，infiftyyears，beeitherrepublicanorcossack[French]；Paul=PaulI，TsarofRussiafrom1796to1801；KingStorkforKingLog=fromAesop’sFables}
WhatistrueintheOldWorldwill，intheend，befoundtobetruehere。Tous，itwouldseemthattheportionofthepeopleofthiscountry，whomweshouldtermthedisinterested，orthosewhohavenodirectconnectionwithslavery，ontheonehand，orwithfanaticism，anditshandmaiddemagogism，ontheother，shouldturntheirattentionsolelytotheachievementofasingleobject。Theyhavethestrengthtodoit，iftheyonlyhadthewill。Bycompellingthedisturbersofthepublicpeacetosubmittothecontrolofthegovernment，andtoceasetheirmeddlingandwantoninvasionofthesecurityandpropertyoftheirbrothersandneighbors，thequestionofslaverywouldsoontakecareofitself。Asinglegenerationwould，probably，seeitconfinedinagreatmeasuretotheextremeSouthernandSouthwesternStates；
for，underthepresentemigrationfromEurope，itcannotbelongbeforetheuppercountiesofeventheCarolinasandGeorgiawillmakethediscoverythattheintroductionofasinglewhitemanwillbereallyofmoreimportancetothemthanthatofadozennegroes。CouldVirginiabemadetoseehertrueinterestsinthisbehalf，thegloryoftheOldDominionwouldspeedilyrevive，andherfinepopulationofgentlemenwouldshortlytakeitsplaceagainwhereitsoproperlybelongs，intheforemostranksofthenation。Werequireanexchangewiththatquarterofthecountry，forwecouldgivethatwhichshegreatlyneeds，andreceiveinexchangethatwhichwouldprobablynotalittlebenefitourselves。Puritanism，mostespeciallywhenitbreaksoutofbondsbytheprocessofemigration，doesnotalwaysproducethemostacceptablefruits；while，ontheotherhand，thedescendantsoftheCavaliersmightobtainhomelylessons，ofgreatpracticalbenefit，fromtheutilitarianspiritofthewholeNorth。