The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-07-24
The Presidents Message.


fully, and we see very little in it to ad-
mire, but great deal to condemn, The
Republican papers style it "bold and
patriotic State paper;" but the only bold
thing, about it is the call for .forr hun
dred thousand men, and four hundred
millions Of dollars, to carry on this most
lamentable and fratricidal war. There
are. to be sure, several finely worded SEN
tences in the message, protesting great
devotion to the Union, which the Presi-
dents political friends may consider pat
riotic, bat to our mind there is a little
100 much old Federalism in it to suit the
great mass of the American people, espe-
cially those who have been educated in
the school of Jefferson, Madison and
| jackson
Mr.. Lincoln's opinion iu regard to the
origin and nature of our government ap-
pears to be extremely superficial aud IN,
sound. He seems to think that the States
and people derive their power from the
General Government; whereas the very
reverse of the proposition is true, The
General Government derives allits powers
from the States and the people, and the
powers not expressly delegated are re-
served to the States and the people,
There appears to be q fixed determine.
tion on the part of the leaders of the Re.
publican party to destroy the State Sow
ereignties, wipe out ali State lines,' and
to establish q strong and powerful Ma
tional Government, or more properly
speaking military Despotism, with an
immense standing army, to keep in sub.
lection those who dare speak and think
for themselves. That the great mass OF
the Republican party will repudiate all
such attempts to subvert the Government,
we do not entertain single doubt.
The President virtually admits that be
acted in violation of law, in calling ont
an army for three years, but he hopes that
: Congress will ratify his illegal acts, and
: give them Constitutional validityl He
: contends, however, that be had the righ'
to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus
; although that power, by express provis
: ions of the Constitution belongs exclu
sively to Congress.
So far as President Lincoln acts legal
ly and Censtitutionally ia upholding tn
): Government, and in endeavoring to de
g feat those who seek to destroy it, We will
J yield to him our support: but no farthe
Q can we CO.. His usurpations and gros
violations Of the Constitution will neye
! be sanctioned by the Democracy of thes
United States - never - Democrat
Banner.
l. ~ M. LINCOLN argues in his mes
/. sage for the obliteration of state lines an
s, state rights, and the recognition Of del
Of potic central government like those Of Am
D tria and Russia. Only o little while ag'
Of when the Democracy had control Of Il
ID federal government, the Republicans wei
,e great states rights men, State Legislatnr,
ID which they controlled did not hesitate
9. annnI the laws of Congress, and they 81
D. piled to state courts for the freedom of n
I'd groes and to release from custody and pui
III ishment the violaters of federal law
%, They were then great sticklers for Il
oy writ of habsas corpus. . right which Lii
c. coin has now suspended, with high han
7il in defiance of the Constitution. Paragon
ut of consistency are these fanaticsl - Watc
Dg man.
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