Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-09-29

found tnoWeelNth N tno hoD,
a. nothing lees than destruction Of existing Institutions
and their reconstruction entirely founeaions-
To halt in the advance to be crushed by the i'm
petuous mob. No Alternative existed but to lead or 70
become victim. The cautious aud the timorOus essay
prudent 0Ounsels, and oontemp.uously cast aside
The bold and interruptions dash in the race trusting
20 opportunity seconded BY holiness to direct the un-
chained energies and finally replace the broken bar
riers by others not less stringent. SO may be traced
the progress Of many struggles for liberty, breskng
from al ct oppression into Wild and Awless license, M
Ill the exhausted Impetus has borne them into the re-
fuge of despotisn.
Now II il b impossible to check the onward progress
Of movement fairly started ia il lees to co'6ne
its operation to the purposes which guided its com
mencement Collateral questions, flowing in Ike
branches to main river enlarge the volume and extend
the surface OF lie influence. DIS urbing csuses-oppo-
sOn more or less eHscuAl and operation, tnctured
With desires alien to the original queston-csuse 1t to
feet ircm its course and TO retrsce its march
Aeu heated By the desire Of success, stung by re-
sentiment are fOupd battling against the very principles
of which they had been the original standsrdbesrers.
There are not wanting signs which may give Us
Jus. cause for apprehension that in the immensely Of the
struggle in which the South IL engaged she may
stfsr from these inherent psrs of revolution.
movement begun for the maintenance OF cur homer and
our rights resting upon the principle Of State Rights,
has rpened into var of so malignant character ard
such gigantic dmsssOus that the preservation of the
common ,1issenes has become the paramount, and al
mos; the only consideration In the discussion of the
mears necessary to accomplish the end their eIPedercy
IL lava trufi
limits are not investigated with that minute nicely
which has so often illustrated the scuIeness Of Southern
statesmen That the safety Of the Republic is the su'
preue law is proclaimed and until that is secure al
other questions must be adjourned.
Aeirg upon these ilcipls, men may be found Is
Congress a. GU, OF IT, aToWug doctrines which under
the old Uaion they would have been quick to protest
against Toe lines which separate STATE from Federal
or Confederate hOry are to great extent Ignored
TIE Oonscrption Bill has been voted for BY gentlemen
Who intimate more than doubts to s constituaonatS,
and other measures Of similar character treated
ms ters Of course
To any oil soton to these measures the answer ia
ready The emergeccy is critical allow of delay
or discussion. Let US save the country, and regulate
tbese matters afterwards. The reason is valid one,
where the necessity really urgent /. the yrsnfs
Plea ard his plrpose because it ia 50 good one
Uadolbtedly there nay be cccssoIs which will not only
Justly, bot demand an ovtrsepping Of the strict ins.
tons of law The wise aud prudent course Of Elgish
Ministers has always beeu in such csses, to obtain an
Ac. OF Indemnity from Parliament. In reference to the
purchase Of Louisiana Mr.. J,srson vas held to be jus
t6 ,be in ado ping similar Toe Obi ct to be
obtained vas Of such vial importance, aud time so vau
aoe that the greatest sckers for Law approved his con
duct.
Vale, however, these departures from the strict let
ter Of the Constitution permitted they shouli not b,
allowed to rpen INFO precedent The ship may be driven
from her ty the violence Of the gale, but If the
deviation be carefully noted and good reckoning kept
It Su be cay to brig her back. If is be CLEARLY "a
pressed tha: 10 Necessary TO exceed the powers OF the
Executive or Of Congress- Of both combined, lot the
ultimate decision of the csse bs RENTED to the people
Tnsir sanction ii give indemnify for WhH has been
Done While the discussion Of the question and the &C
kno-ledG meut Of unccnsutiorai,y gill avert the DAT
Of repetition, uudoubei right, OF VIA! originally
tie assumption OF PrercgaiiVe
Il Is rot uncommon hear all questions Of cons.iu.
tOrA rights treated plerile rtng. There viil be
tine enough for rsised distinctions legal discussion
sl.rr the var il over. These who hold this language
ssen TO consider the necessary to the preseyvs
dou Of Constitutional liberty worthy only Of psdanic
orators They look them ingenious exercises Of
tie mir d. oecup' the quiet times Of peace bu, in
tine OF gar % senseess the dis 5utes Of the Geek
s)phisis criminal the Wranglugs Of the A.heHiars
when the Macedonian laundering at their gates.
Tdose who reason in this way commit the common
mistake Of giving to the means . greater importance
than the end. This entered into for the pre-
servAton Of the g;eai principles Of constitutional lib
y. LIT tina! be KEEP. in vieW and lie, no. tempo
rlry gency iaduce to sacrifice urdying principles
| urgent danger demand temporary suspension o
established lass, le: the danger be cl2Ary shown aud
let the temporary nature OF suspension be Clearly
pressed. EVan dic,stors ship, in Rome, nay he
stripped OF danger uGder strict and usGs6aed prec6u.
lions. A considerable degree Of po1eF may be safely
iu;rusei to Government 50 long eHle! aceoun,s.
eli:y is required much smaller deg'ee may become
dangerous ~i,hou. ih.s slteguArd for it may make
gradu. sud ql,siOued encroaehnents until i, bids
dC6tnGe TO taruy resistance
TIE danger in which the State may be, while /. may
require these occasional stretches Of power, demands
also that they be watched with Jealous vigilance Amid
the din Of war, and in the ltAton Of victory have
been found the rest for the subVerion
OF Liberty. Entire corfdeuce in the patriotism ard
fidelity tbs Constitution OF thoss WAC are interested
With the making and tbs .cudon Of the laws Should
not prs FROM exercising this caution. Too gs, at
security ever dsagero1s. To desire tha. 20 measure
policy should be suoj c.ed 10 discussion L to doubt
Oo.h tie ability Of those who lead aud the patriotism Of
those uho follow. l. eyncea ds,rus. not very dl,er.
INK Of cur ability to cope With cur enemy without
abandoning the CncanbrsIce o. constitutional re-
strantS.
To such straits va not yet reduced and everything
cOucurs 70 assure Us snail be- The skiul mari.
ner does not throw overheard the most valuable part OF
his cargo until shpNrsIk s Otherwise inevitable II
pass ulicathed through one OF the sevtres ordeas