1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 490 Power and Country

The law is the product of the social system. It takes time to adapt to social changes, and the law needs to be constantly verified and improved in practice. Therefore, there is inevitably a certain lag in the law.

In short, the 1787 Constitution, regarded by the United States as the foundation of the country, could no longer meet the needs of American society by the middle of the 19th century.

Chinese people who are accustomed to great unification will habitually think that as a country, unification is a matter of course.

But not every country has its own Qin Shihuang, and the opposite was true for the United States before the 1787 Constitution was amended.

It is unconstitutional for the federal government to enforce unity, but secession is in line with the spirit of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Of course, after the old constitution was amended during Lincoln's tenure, the division was not written into the constitution as an unconstitutional act. It only strengthened the power of the federal government and weakened some state rights.Indirectly strengthened the unity of the United States as a political entity.

After all, the Declaration of Independence and the 1787 Constitution are, after all, the foundation of the United States and the legal basis for the existence of the United States. If the core spirits of these two things contradict each other, the consequences will be unimaginable.

However, after the baptism of the civil war at that time, the American society and the people after the establishment of the national system had reached a unified social consensus, which enhanced the national cohesion of the United States unprecedentedly. There were mainly no major social problems, and the possibility of division was very small.

At the beginning of the founding of the United States, it was not a unified sovereign country, but a political union composed of 13 independent countries (states).

Since the United States was born in the Revolutionary War, even today, 80 years later, each state attaches great importance to its own state rights.

The Constitution does not require states to be forced to join the Union, nor does it say that states have no right to withdraw from the Union.

Therefore, even if the South made the decision to withdraw from the Union, not only was it not an unconstitutional act, but it was a constitutional act in line with the founding spirit of the United States in pursuit of independence and freedom.

The north, which does not allow the south to be independent, is the party that violates the constitution.

To put it bluntly, the name of the South's independence is justified, and the north's failure to allow the South to be independent is not justified, and the teacher has no name.

This problem has plagued the North since the beginning of the Civil War, and it is one of the reasons why the morale of the Northern Army was low in the beginning of the war: they did not know why they were fighting.

Of course, the Northern President Lincoln, who was a political strongman in the United States, solved this problem skillfully. Instead, he put the South on fire and cut off the hope of the South's independence, but this is a later story.

The United States respects the law, and the law has a sacred and supreme status in the hearts of believing Americans.

The independence of the South conforms to the spirit of the 1787 Constitution and is just. This is why outstanding southern generals such as Robert Lee and Jackson, who clearly recognized the northern system, still chose to fight for their hometown and the spirit of the South. force.

"I was born in America and grew up in America. Do you know what I have experienced since I was a child? I have witnessed America transform from a weak agricultural country to a powerful industrial country.

In just one generation, the United States has grown from an unknown small country to a well-known industrial power, and has completed a road that other countries may not be able to complete for thousands of years. This is unprecedented in human history. .

I was fortunate to witness the rapid rise of this country. The United States has a vast territory, vast land, abundant natural resources, immigrants from the old world who pursue the American dream, far away from the vortex of the war between Asian and European civilizations, and has unique geographical conditions.Do you know what that means? "

After a few glasses of wine, Lincoln opened the conversation, and he said emotionally.

"It means that the United States has the capital to become a superpower." Liang Yao said.

The achievements of rapid industrialization in a short period of time can easily bring a strong sense of pride to the people. It is normal for Lincoln to have such thoughts.

"Superpower, succinct and well said, it's the first time I've heard this word."

Lincoln filled another glass of wine for himself, lamenting in his heart that the state where alcohol is not prohibited is so good, where he can drink freely and freely.

Not only was the wine good, but it was also very interesting to chat with Liang Yao, a well-known strange man from the west.

As the foundation of the United States, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are sacred and perfect in the minds of American political elites. No one in the East has the courage to publicly talk about the unreasonable aspects of them.To question the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is to question the legitimacy of America.

If you talk about these issues so nakedly in the East, you will have to ruin your political career.

"The Russian Empire spans across Eurasia and ranks first among all countries, and its territory is also rich in natural resources. Does the Russian Empire also have the capital to become a superpower?" Liang Yao chatted with Lincoln with great interest.

He also really wants to know how the American political elites of this era view the world situation and the status of the United States in the world.

"The Russian Empire does not have the geographical advantages of the United States, and that alone is fatal enough.

Furthermore, the backward political system, serf issues, ethnic issues, greed for territory, and unrestrained external expansion will make this country a target of public criticism. The just-concluded Crimean War is an example.

If the ruling class of Imperial Russia does not carry out reforms to solve these problems, it will be a question of whether Tsarist Russia can continue to exist in a few years. "Lincoln's assessment of Tsarist Russia was fairly pertinent," he added.

"If these problems can be properly resolved, Tsarist Russia is not without hope of becoming a superpower, but for an autocratic country, it is too difficult to solve so many problems in a short period of time."

"The British Empire has colonies all over the world. Where there is the sun in the world, there is the Union Jack flag. Moreover, the local industry is highly developed. No other country can match it. Can the British Empire be considered a superpower?" Liang Yao continued to ask.

"The British Empire is a superpower, but not a superpower. After eating the dividends brought to them by the Industrial Revolution, the British Empire will return to its original position just like Spain and the Netherlands, which have eaten the benefits of the Age of Discovery." Lincoln pondered for a moment After that, he made an evaluation of the current overlord of the British Empire.

"The Qing Dynasty has a vast territory, owns one-third of the world's living beings, and has more than a dozen vassal states such as North Korea, Vietnam, and Ryukyu as Pingfan. Can the Qing Dynasty become a superpower?" Liang Yao asked.

"I don't know much about the Qing Dynasty. You are from the Qing Dynasty. I think you know better than me what is going on in the Qing Dynasty. The answer in your heart must be more accurate than my subjective judgment." Lincoln said with a smile after taking a sip of wine.

"So, Mr. Lincoln is only optimistic about America becoming a superpower?" Liang Yao asked with a smile.

"No." Lincoln corrected, adding a precondition.

"A united America that has cleared the barriers of slavery and completely industrialized can become a superpower.

The United States now has a population of more than 3000 million, 3 miles of canals, more than 5 miles of railways, and more than [-] factories of various types. It is a veritable industrial country.

As long as the United States catches up with Britain in terms of industry and becomes a superpower, it is only a matter of time. "

Lincoln's eyes were deep, and he seemed to have seen a bright future for America.

He stood up, paused and continued: "American society now lacks a consensus, a unified consensus, as you said, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution do have flaws.

I think the most urgent task for the current political party in power is to instill this consensus among the people so as to avoid splitting the country.

If the United States is divided, no matter which state it is after the division, no matter how well it develops on the edge of civilization in the Americas, it will be just a rich country that is not popular and can be manipulated by others.

If such a day ever comes, it will be too late for people to miss the necessity of the federal government.

External powers will not give America a chance to reunite. "

It is very rare for this sentence to be uttered by a political elite who was born as a lawyer like Lincoln. Although Lincoln said it in a more euphemistic manner, he also acknowledged the limitations of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Being able to face problems frankly, Lincoln is already much better than Fillmore, Buchanan, and Coster.

The gold content of the president carved in the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Park is indeed something that other presidents hidden in the dust of history cannot touch porcelain.

"Mr. Lincoln, you've had a little too much to drink."

Seeing this, Fremont, who had been drinking with his head covered, stood up and supported Lincoln, who was a little unsteady, for fear that Lincoln would take advantage of the opportunity to give a speech here.

Fremont has also heard of the oratorical and provocative abilities of this rising Republican political star. He does not want California, which is the stronghold of the Civic Party, to become a stronghold of the Republican Party in the future.

"No, sir, I didn't drink too much." Lincoln pushed Fremont away and looked at Liang Yao intriguingly.

"Mr. Liang, with all due respect, if the flaws in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are not amended and removed, after the conflict between the North and the South is over, there will still be conflicts between the East and the West.

The United States is a country of immigrants, and the racial problem is endless. There will never be peace in the United States. I love my country deeply. As long as my country can be strong and walk on the right path, no matter how much I pay, I will not hesitate. "

Before the words were finished, Lincoln fell asleep on Fremont's shoulder.

Fremont asked Liang Yao to help, and together they lifted Lincoln onto the horse and returned to Tingtao Garden together.

"Mr. Lincoln is really heavy." After putting Lincoln on the bed in the guest room, Fremont couldn't help complaining.

"Can a 6-foot-4-inch tall one not sink?" After putting down Lincoln, Liang Yao breathed a sigh of relief and left the guest room.

"This rising star of the Republican Party is really bold and eloquent," Fremont said.

"What do you think of this rising political star of the Republican Party?"

Historically, Fremont, as the presidential candidate jointly recommended by the Republican Party, had a deep connection with Lincoln, but in this time and space, Fremont's work focus has always been in California, and he did not have much overlap with Lincoln.

Bold and eloquent, this is the first impression of the rising Republican star on Fremont.

"The future is boundless." Liang Yao said without hesitation, "He may be able to solve the problems that Buchanan, Coster and his ilk cannot solve."

"If I'm not a citizen, I really want to join the Republican Party." Fremont laughed.

"The pool of stagnant water in the American political arena should indeed be stirred by someone."

The Republican Party has talents like Lincoln, and it is not surprising that it can rise in a short period of time.

"When the old guys who deviated from the times during the founding of the People's Republic of China are almost dead, the American political arena will be the stage for young people." Liang Yao laughed.

"I'm not afraid that no one will disturb it, but I'm afraid that there will be too much movement, which will muddy our west."

1791年4月23日出生的布坎南将是美利坚最后一位18世纪出生的总统，当布坎南代表18世纪的美利坚老人完成最后的政治谢幕演出之后，这个国家将属于19世纪朝气蓬勃的年轻人。

At that time, the United States will usher in earth-shaking changes in the physical sense.

"We in the west can be disturbed by the movement in the east, and this movement is too big." Fremont didn't care.

"How is your think tank's second five-year plan going?" Liang Yao asked about Fremont's second five-year plan. "The state legislature is still waiting for the government's five-year plan proposal."

"There are still some details that need to be added." Fremont said, "I will submit the second five-year plan to the state legislature in two weeks at the latest."

"What Lincoln said just now makes sense. The fire of racism will burn on our heads in California sooner or later. I want to win a few more seats in Congress before this fire burns on our heads.

California needs more of Oregon as a political ally. "

Liang Yao came to his study room, opened a beautiful wooden box on the desk, took out two Havana cigars given to him by Vanderbilt from the box, handed one to Fremont, and kept one for himself.

After lighting the Havana cigar in his hand, Liang Yao came to the map. His gaze sometimes fell on the Northern Oregon region, and sometimes on the Arizona Territory.

(End of this chapter)