But their own government has found it necessary for the public
safety to be equally arbitrary, prompt, and severe, and they will
most likely require it hereafter to co-operate with the
governments of the Old World in advancing civilization, instead
of lending all its moral support, as heretofore, to the Jacobins,
revolutionists, socialists, and humanitarians, to bring back the
reign of barbarism.
The tendency to individualism has been sufficiently checked by
the failure of the rebellion, and no danger from the
disintegrating element, either in the particular State or in the
United States, is henceforth to be apprehended. But the tendency
in the opposite direction may give the American state some
trouble. The tendency now is, as to the Union, consolidation,
and as to the particular state, humanitarianism, socialism, or
centralized democracy. Yet this tendency, though it may do much
mischief, will hardly become exclusive. The States that seceded,
when restored, will always, even in abandoning State sovereignty,
resist it, and still assert State rights. When these States are
restored to their normal position, they will always be able to
protect themselves against any encroachments on their special
rights by the General government. The constitution, in the
distribution of the powers of government, provides the States
severally with ample means to protect their individuality against
the centralizing tendency of the General government, however
strong it may be.
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