Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-10-09
STATE OF AFFAIRS ar gHEN0HTH

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BiaJleIs up North are evidently becoming
complicated. Tae Democrats there have found
themselves ellspped by the abolitionists. They
entered into the war with the view Of solving
the problem whether or not they had govern
ment. This was the theme. 1t was 10 preserve
the government they entered into this mad cru.
sade sgaius. the South. Their eyes are begin
ning to be opened. They are beginning to dis
cover that there may be a government without
law and without restraint. Losing sight of all
constitutional land marks, they rushed into the
war with tie view Of whipping the rebels into
subsection, and after having placed an immense
army IN the hands Of LINCOLN, they now find
Themselves under the necessity of turning round
and fighting tie abolitionits forthe Constitution.
In their war for the government, they are fast
losing their own liberties.
The Kew York Herald now says that the ad-
ministration, which is the government, lis d
failure, and that the Constitution is now regarded
as little better than prophecies in an old alma
nae The Chicago Times, too, is exercised at
the dangerous extremity to which the govern
ment is drifting. It says:
The line Of argument by which the rightful
power of the President to issue bis emancipation
proclamation is sought to be established would
be amusing If it were not fTightful. For ex-
ample, one of the abolition newspaper sheets of
this city, admitting that "as a measure of civil
policy the proclamation would have been IN
lawful, - bluntly asserts that as commsndeTin-
chief in time of war there IS no restriction upon
he p0Ucr Of de President 90 The power of
the commander In-chief in the adoption Of war
measures, or to conduct a campaign, is denied,
and the Presidents supremacy absolutely as
serted, But, it is added, " the President may
be impssched or removed from Office or, " If
Congress disapproYe Of the war, or the mode in
which it is conducted, it may apply the extreme
remedy Of Withholding the supplies necessary
for its prosecution" Indeed If " there is no
restriction upon the power Of the President, why
may be not suspend the meeting Of Congress,
and suspend the elections for the choice of q new
CoDgreSsl Or, if ke stop short OF that eX-
ueme resort, if " there is no restriction upon
the power Of the President why should he
look to Congress for supphes-cannot he COM
mand them and why should lie care f9r i'm
parchment by CongIess-caanot he defy i'll II
" there is no restriction upon the power Of TIE
President" and lie may abolish State institu-
tions IN the South, what is in the way of his
abcli5 hmeHt Of them in the Northl II " there
Il nc restriction upon the power Of the Presi-
dent, y what is in the way Of his prolonging the
war Indefinitely, suspending the next presi-
dental election, and becoming permanent mil
itsry dictator
The reader sees where this terrible doctrine Of
Unrestricted power leads. II is astonishing, aO-
solutely amazing, that anybody should admit
the power for az instant. That 1t Is admitted
diseloses the prevalence Of insanity and folly as
surprising as it is alarming
There i5 tut oEe ark Of safety. That is tie
Constitution, in war as in peace. And IL is
sufficient in wal as in peace.
These are healthy signs, and encourage rs in
the hope that al appreciation and love of free
government are not yet lost in the North.