The Shasta courier., 1862-03-29
The Lessons of the Rebellion,

A great deal Of history can be condensed
intosa very small compass IN point Of time.
We have acted enough history in the past two
years to keep first class nation in com
Portable effervescence for three centuries, by
only distributing the incidents with proper
care Deducing good from evil, and making
the best of a hard lot, it is pleasant to reflect
that something has been gained in the way
Of experience, and that in the sable web and
woof OF our sore calamities, we can espy many
golden threads. Experience is a hard school,
but it is a good one; and if we but profit by
the lessons Of the recent past, this nation has
career Of honor, glory and usefulness before
it, such us was never dreamed of by any ofits
founders. This form of government was in
vented 1t was made from no model. Its
trainers had stout, stubborn hearts, and hon.
est, clear heads, and nothing more to aid
them. They could not see, and lay down in
their charts, all the shoals and breakers their
handiwork would have to encounter. When
the Constitution of the United States was
AohAiCu3 ~ uAd hot ConnuC3 ds amply oA0 eA,
clearly as desirable, to the government by it
instituted, the powers to cope with great
emergencies. We do not mean by this that
the power was not granted, but that it was
not made clear enough. There is enough of
ambiguity in the fundamental law to involve
some CT its prominent features in doubt. Too
many of the maxims of that instrument rest
on tradition CT construction, or history con-
bellion has called public attention to these
we are at loss for word-discrepancie
and these causes of complaint must be re-
moved A Constitutional Convention, in
good season will doubtless be called, possibly
for the purpose of rendering clearer the
meaning of some of the declaratory, remedial
and inhibitory clauses of that instrument
There are several points to which attention
might be advantageously directed. For in
stance, the relative position of State to-
wards the Federal Government does net seem
to be properly understood. This country is
too small to contain two large classes of men
who differ so radically on this point, as the
republicans-we are notalluding to any party
of that name-and the Calhounists The
slavery question has always been in mud
die We venture to say that of the thous-
ands who have talked and written about this
question, not one in hundred have under
stood it justly in all of its logical and legal
bearings.
We understand this nation as now being
pledged to the policy of giving this institu-
ton, in the future, neither aid or comfort,
gnd that if it lives, is sustained or extended,
it does SO by powers that inhere in ITSELF
This Government will hereafter neither fa-
ther ror foster it. As far as this Govern
ment is concerned, the institution is depolar-
lied, and must look for its sustenance to its
own resources The amendments that are to
be made should be made temperately and
justly, and with mien and sincerity that
izens of the slave States, that this Govern
ment deals justly with all men. No proper
means should be left unadopted which will
teach those who have gone SO madly with
this wicked revolt, that it is their duty and
interest to respect and be dutiful to this Gov
;ernment.
The other and higher lesson, that this
commonwealth was not instituted merely for
the purpose of affording an arena where
struggling factions might strive for the mas
terry, is one that all of us cannot re-learn too
speedily. The qnadrennial strife as to who
shall sitin the Executiveehair at Washington
City has had the effect of deadening every
where the feeling of nationality.
Through fire and blood we have walked
to the realization of these facts, but all is not
of the character of disaster. We have ripen-
ed our history and policy. This Government
now understands itself. 1t comprehends the
whole of its duties and Responsibilities. The
day for chaffering about what the Constitu-
ton means, or should mean, has past away
forever. We shall rise to a higher niche,
and in all things vindicate the memory and
wisdom of the Fathers of the Republic.
Usage Orange HEDGEs.-The Visalia Sun
is of the opinion that hedges made of the
Bois d. Arc, or Usage Orange, don't amount
to much. lie is just right. The hedge does