The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-30
Fru1H VIC 4kIUaHy .trHUE
THE PRINCIPLE INVOLVED.

One of the most distinguished lawyers of this State
siding in the interior said to yesterday Whatever
the court appeals may feel constrained to hold in rea
ton to the oasionaly of the New York police law,
regard the law outrageous in its character than
any legislation which has ever disgraccd State 1t is
greater outrage than the legislation which led to oul
revolution
This was the opinion of clear headed, thinking
man. residing away from the scene of excitement, and
forming his Judgment merely quiet looker-on upon
matters in which he had no interest except that which
every good citizen feels in the honor of his State Like
the gentleman alluded to- do not to discuss the
constuonalty Of the law in question: while it is held
under adyiscment by the of last resort and is
the point of being decided But the law is all that
friend described it, should the hold that il
does not directly contrayene the constitution Within
the range constitutional power the Legislative authority
may be guilty of oppression and injustice which would
drive the people to revolution
The great outrage Of the taxation which led to
tona Independence not its amount Our forefathers
could have paid the tax the tea which consigned
to the waters of Boston harbor But it the prn-
cipe which they resstcda principle which in the end
might make them slaves.
So the citizens Of New York Kings, westchester, and
Richmond might possibly submit without serious practi-
cal oppression to the operation Of the metropolitan police
law. They might in the hands of more honest commits
soners have perfect and efficient police organization
under it. Yet it will be the less outrage upon
their rights because itnvades their right to govern them
selves For partisan purposes it strips them of an
attribute which their owcitizens Of other parts of
the State enjoy 1t establishes precedent which may
ensave them.
Nor are their fellow zens in other portions of the
State less interested in the question. If New York and
its envrons may be erected into district and governed
by central power for police purposes other sections OF
the State may be stripped of the right of scfgovenment
in reference to other subjects Districts may be erected
which shall override town and county lines and transfer
to central political and pundering oligarcy various
local powers which these old and wellknown divisions
have hitherto exercised, Indeed we may find in few
wears If this precedent is allowed to become established
the power of and counties to raise money by taxa
ton and spend it for their own local governments when
raised taken from them and transferred to hands not
sponsble TO them Indeed from the well known charac-
ter of the leaders of the present republican party in ca
ton to pecuniary speculation and peculaton this may be
anticipated as of the earliest applications of this
doctrine The MILLIONS of taxation which now
grnds the people of this State may be expected speedily
to attract the gaze of the pundcrers rich field for
their operations.
1t will be great mistake for any 10 suppose that the
Judgment by the court Of appeals is to be the end of the
police law 1t will be but the beginning Of it Should
they the Judgment doubtless such howl will be
raised against them and by the class of partsns
has pursued the judges of the United States Supreme Court
for their Judgment in the bred Scott case But with the
SOBER thinking portion of the people the feeling viii be
that If that tribunal has the power to arrest this nva
sion of rights, very we'll But not, must look
for further remedy. We must appeal TO the people.
There win then be an absolute necessity for their inter
venon They alone, in that event. can preserve Their
rights from invasion and themselves from bemoanng the
slaves of corrupt central squad Of pecuniary and poit
cal SPECTATORS Selfpreservation will require them to
drive from power these black republican adventurers and
restore the good old safe, prudent and honest demo-
cratic ascendency.
CRors IN IsDIASA.--A gentleman--Mr. j y. Lansing,
of the New York and Erie railroad returned from
recent visits to ynccnnes Evansville, Tce Haute La
fyette Jacksonville, Peru lafayette and Richmond,