Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-05-21
Wednesday MAY q. 1852.
The Constitution Ten Years Ago.

Il Is DEnEltldt tttdSlDudliS "
in refreshing remembr1nces of the past.
At this period of National turmoil and
excitement, when there is but little dis
position for calm and tranquil thought
among any Of US, the exercise may prove
both entertaining and Instructive. Let
Us 60 back period Of ten years. aud
mark the feelings of veneration and love
with which the American people theE
almost unanimously regarded the Consti-
tuition. 1t was then regarded as evil
dence of enlightened patriotism, to be a
.'strict Coustructiouist, 10 hold that our
Government is one of strictly limited
powers. aud that those who administer
the laws can. in no event. 60 beyond
those powers, without violating their
oath of cfice and acting the part of
usurpers. Now according to the doc
trlnes Of the leaders Of the Republican
party, all who maintain, promulg gate and
defend such principles, are traitors and
secessiouists. Horace Greedy says the
World moves. Ia this matter certainly,
that portion of the World vino compose
the Republican party, have been moving,
but in wrong direction we fear.
Ten years ago, the American people
were divided iuto two great political or
ganizatious. known as the Democratic
aud Nhig parties. They each during
that year, adopted platform of Princi-
pies, on which they placed their caDdi-
dates for tie Presidency and Vice Presi-
dency. In the Democratic platform We
fud the following resolution
That the Federal Government is 9ne
of limited power, derived solely from the
Constitution, aud the grants Of power
made therein, ought to be strictly con-
strued By 3! the departments ami agents
of tie government; and that it is incxpe-
dien; and dangerous TO exercise doubtful
Constitutional powers In the Whig
platform, the following is the fist reso-
lutioD:--
That the Government of the United
States is Of q limited character, end it is
confined to the exercise of powers ex-
pressly granted by the Constitution, and
such as may be necessary and proper for
carrying the granted powers into full ex-
ecutior; aud that all powers rot thus
granted, or necessarily implied, are ex-
pressly reserved to the States respect
lively. and to the people -
Ii IS impossible to mistake the mean
Ing of tue above resolutions The Ian
guage Is remarkably clear and explicit.
They both plainly lay down the doctrine
that the Government of the United States
Is Of limited character, and that it is
confined to the exercise Of powers ex-
pTessly granted By the Constitution. On
-the one or other of these platforms. stood
Abraham Lincoln, William Fl Seward.
Edward Bates, Hannabal Hamliu, Horace
Greedy. and all the other distinguished
leaders Of the Republican party during
that campaign. They then endorsed
doctrine which they now repudiate
hey have therefore been gIil'y of poll
teal Inconsistency. The Democracy
have been cousistent-they have faithful
ly stood by the principles of Jefferson
and Jackson, and in consequence of
having done so, they are styled traitor
Gus sympathizers with secessiorists
Strange, that principles which were per
fectly right and patriotic ten years ago.
should now be regarded as yerging on
treason, and absolutely dangerous to the
prosperity and tranquility of our beloved
country.
A government which is created by a
written constitution should never be per-
united TO step beyond tue landmarks
which it lays down. Every such act,
endangers the liberties Of the people by
creating q precedent which may be
seized upon By crafty aud ambitious ru-
lers, to justify the most frightful usurpa-
tiopr. American liberty can be preser-
we'd only, by strictly confning the gov
ernmeut within its Legitimate sphere Of
action.