Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-09
The Lincoln Despotism Crushing ont Re.
publican Government,

The letter which print below possesses more
than ordinary interest 1t gives US insight into
the workings of the LINCOLN Government which we
of the South are not often permitted to see. The
letter is from the old correspondent of the Cncin-
na,i Enquirer, whose opportunities for obtaining
reliable information in regard to the purposes of
the Government have been heretofore remarkably
good. This fact gives much weight to his statement
in regard to the purposes of the LINCOLN Govern
ment The people of the Southern States have just
cause to congratulate themselves that they have
escaped from such a despotism.
Co-r,spondence OF the Cincinnati Enquirer.
| WASHINGTON. June 3.-We are sweeping on irresist.
IDLY though insenbly, to the destiny that awaits
all things hUman-a great and radical change. In
dividuas die while governments continue the lat
| ter are corporations, that endure commissions
and feel no sickness but even they must sometimes
yield to overruling events, and undergo dissolution
or great changes. Our Government, the pride of
feemen and of the lovers OF freedom the world over
is now in the process change, to be known nomore
forever as il has been. On Thursday last the Hon
n 2 Banks, as he stood upon Arlington Heights ia
company with distinguished military and civil Off
GERS said. as he waved his hand toward Washington
This is the end OF this Government as e6iStS
There l1iN Be reconstruction on different principles"
Such is the unveral impression here, and the con-
viction weighs like the pail of death on every pa
triotic heart The great Republic is gone, and its
Government is fast losing its anchorage in popular
liberty and is drifting to despouc harbOr a SAT
! or refuge from the storms of revolution.
The great people, whose pursuits or whose op-
portunties do not allow them to more than the
surface currents, nigh as well be given to under
stand at the powerful undertOne that is sweep
| ing from under them their personal freedom, the
rights of the States and their Republican govern
ment tell them they no longer freemen, in that
large and comprehensive sense we have all under
stood was conveyed and embraced by that word,
when applied TO the rights and privileges of Ameri
can citizens. They will wake up ere long TO the
realization of the horrd truth, but when it is too
late TO recover what desDOtism shall have ciutched
in its iron hands, write this as fact and prophecy
Ii has already been asked: why all these State
lines: Why all this needless cumbersome, intricate
ENHANCEMENT of different powers to make law and
to decree Judgment We can afford now 10 efisce the
old Colonial Geography. 1t is the admitted powers
of States within the nation that has been the
of all our trourle. Nor will the removal of State
power, and the creation Of Nationality, be task
50 Formidable
The idea IS to do away with State lines and with
! local State governments, and consequently with
| much OF the elective franchise RS now enjoyed by
the people. In other words the grand conception is
! to make the Government OF TIE United States as
near that OF Great Britain it possible to get it.
| lt i old Federalism. with astounding mOnarchical
additions revived and under very favorable auspi-
for Its success GUu must not suppose that this
thing is not seriously entertained; for it is and the
conviction here IS universal that the change is abb
! sOlutely necessary and will be made. strong
central government is now the cry: snd army and
navy Officers strongly favor It. because by the
change they will become the upper crust of society
The whole matter is openly discussed here and
boldy advocated. N0u will learn from this that
the Democracy has before il the hardest battle it
has Yet fought IN this country Il WILDE to retain
the largest share OF personal liberty and rights as
now enjoyed under the present Constitution. They
VIII hght under great disadvantages, under the ter
rors Of death and Imprisonment. What the ont
come maybe. God only can tel. Fer myself, fear
for the future.
Congress viii soon assemble But chi bono is
asked By many. The New York Tribune says it can
40 up all necessary business in day or two. The
Courier and Enquirer says all Congress has TO do is
10 register the wishes Of the President Indeed,
these leading Republican journals believe Congress
Will only be At Incumbrance, as the President by
assuming all the power desirable for the exigency
OF Tie country, will not be hEmpered by any legal
restrictions All Congress is wanted for is to ALLOW
the Government to borrow what money it may deem
necessary, and to raise whatever number of troops
may De regarded desirable. 1t is also said that
Congress Will go into secret session to discuss the
question OF comforting full military power on the
president 70 raise and equip armies, declare mar
tia law, a2d suspend the writ of hGbedS corpus. AS
he has been doing this without authority of law,
Ihe question Is gravely asked, what Is the use of
Congress-
The contempt in which the Supreme Court of the
United states is held by the military. and the usur
patton OF power by this latter branch of the public
service and the violation Of personal rights and in
dlVldua liberty both North and South, are referred
to as an evidence that Republican freedom is dead,
and only wants the foTalty OF burial hide it for
ever from the face of the American people. So
passes the glory Of the American Republic.
CLEVELAND.