Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-05-07
THE CONSTITUTION REPEALED


week, when the arrest aud imprisonment
Of General Stone were under discussion,
Senator Wades reply to the argument
that Gen, Stones rights, under the con-
stitution, the common law and military
law Of the country, had been violated was,
that the government in this great exgen'
cy, is bound to protect itself, and that the
constitution IS virtually repealed until the
government has become able to restore It's
authority in the rebelious States"
We find this in the report of the de-
bates in Congress il has teen before the
public for week or more without contra,
diction we copy il TO fasten the eyes Of
the nation upon II, rs the highest avowal
yet made Of doctrine that is working o
radical change in the theory Of our gov
ernment, and rapidly transforming It IN.
TO a desrotism Of the worst possible type
and form. If this doctrine, so distinctly
set forth by Senator Wade, and which has
heen with equal boldness avowed 10y Sen,
ator Sumner and other distinguished abO-
lition leaders, becomes the policy and
creed of the country, our government, like
"the baseless fabric of dream" is gone,
and only miserable wreck is left behind.
Before this theory OF Senator Wade is
submitted to, we would do well to try the
question before the Supreme Court, and
if that .judicatory atlirms it as the law of
the land, it will be our privilege to choose
between submission to it, and voluntary
exile to Siberia or Japan. We frankly
confess that we would prefer the despot-
ism of pagan prince to that of mob. II
Mr., Wade doctrine is sound, we have no
government but the will Of the man who
wields the army and navy, regardless of
the Constitution which he Is SET and sworn
20 uphold by those powers.
Mr.. Thomas, of Massachusetts, hos ably
and nobiy risen up, in the spirit and with
much Of the power Of Webster, to throt-
tie this heresy. lie has maintained the
supremacy Of the Constitution and the
suJordina:ion of the governing power to
that sovereign and sacred instrument;
and with equal eloQuence and truth he
Significantly points to the authors of this
new revolutionary doctrine, and declares:
In seeking to change the Constitution by
force of arms, we become the rebels we
are striving to subdue.'
The Constitution was not made for fair
NS'tNAtl ollIl' ~ 10 EpOA lDl Nllll y VI lltbtG
and better still for time Of war. There is
little need Of law when men are willing TO
obey but when war breaks the peace and
security OF society, when the passions OF
men are lashed into rage, and the nation
ia suddenly plunged into the vortex of
civil s,riie, then the rights Of communi-
ties and individuals are in danger, and
the only protection whi5h the loyal clu'
zen enjoys, is in the Constitution of his
county. 1t is grand mistake, which
even good men sometimes make, that tie
apparent necessity of the hour justifcs n
ruler in the usurpation Of illegal power.
This fallacy is the universal apology which
tyrants plead. BY this abuse Of power
the liberties of nations have been botted
out, and The lives Of thousands sacritced.
What we want now in Congress, is
spirit Of devotion to the laws and princi-
pies Of the government; spirit of pat
rotisn rising far Above the behests Of
party or prejudice, and Ignoring utterly
all schemes Of President making or un-
making. while the energies OF mind and
the material resources of the country are
summoned 10 the single purpose OF resto'
ring the Union TO the basis Of the Constis
tuition.
If Senator Wades theory becomes the
theory Of the war, there will be no more
constitutional liberty in the Republic Of
the West.-N y. Observer.