The Placer herald., 1862-02-08
Have we a Government?

Have we a Government!
The question relates to the existence of the
Federal Government. and in relation to that it
has been universally understood, that we had such
Government based entirely upon Constitutional
limitations specifically defining the powers of the
Government. That beyond the metes and bounds
fixed in that Constitution. neither Judicial, Leg
islative, nor the Executive branches of the Gov
ernm ant or the agents thereof. could pass with
impunty. Within these fixed limits it was lawful
to act.-to trespass beyond them was usurpation
and tyranny. We have always been taught that
the Government was the creation of the several
States each acting for itself in the creation OF the
same. and hence was named the Government of
the United States. Beyond the borders of the
territory composing the respective States it was
the only responsible power-as between those
States its mission was to do and enforce Justice
between State and State. and protect the cit zen
of the United States in person, reputation and
property. For seventy years the people have
lived in the belief that we had such Govern
mcnt. They have labored, loved. sacrificed and
fought for such Government The machinery
of this Government has for that period been ad-
ministered, under that understanding of its pow
ers and purposes, and the results have been the
most unprecedented prosperity and happiness.
But a new party has come into power. whose
leaders declare the Government delusion and a
cheat. One tells us that the Executive has not
sufficient power, another that the Judiciary is
bankrupt and must be abolished an other that the
army and navy must be increased and yet ano-
ther that all lines of jurisdiction between State
and Federal Government must henceforth be
abolished.
Nor is this declaration confined to mere words.
empty declarations all their acts inculcate the
same general repudiation of our former concep-
tions Of our Government Private communica
tons in all free countries are safe from the med
ding espionage of Government officers: yet here
communication by mail and telegraph have been
seized aal the privacy tn reof violated. The
freedom of the press, guaranteed in the most
solemn manner, has been violnted and system
of tyranny established even to the suppression
thereof, known only to the most despotic Gov
ernmens.
There is in some of the most arbitrary Gov
ernmens of Europe, a check placed upon the
powers of the citizen in moving from place to
Government. This passport system has been put
in practice within the past twelve months in the
United States. Through the agency of this war
and corrupt speculations, have been dragged
to the verge of bankruptcy and now to obtain
material aid certain bonds of the Government
have been issued and he who fuses to accept of
them as the currency Of the realm, (as we are in
formed by teegrdph) is visited with the pains
and penalties of il criminal. Lastly, we have the
the command of the President. The citizen nav
be seized, imprisoned and no one is permitted to
ask or know the cause thereof The Government
has unlimited control over the person of the
citizen may deprive him OF his liberty, and
continue him in solitary confinement, without let
or hndrance for such time rs suits its purpose
1here was no such power as this under the Con-
stltuton given US by our fathers. 1t is power
once exercised by French Monarchy in past
century, under process known as "Letters de
Chachet," and whole nation rose as one man
to free the victims thereof confined in the Bastile
oil Paris. These declarations of Republican lead
ers, and these practices of the Republican Ad-
mnistration, are so foreign to any of the powers
conferred upon Government, that it may we'll
be asked have Government?"- these
things are not corrected but actually sanctioned
correct
If the Constitution does not sanction thes,
things, then what does? Why, say these Repub
lican eaders-and all the followers respond amer
to the assertion-the necessities Of the times.
Thus we are made to understand that the Consti-
frame Of o.;r
the statesmen of the past, has been inadeouote
ana obsolete that all barriers have been broken
over, and we are now drifting into the wild crazy
sea of uncertainty, the only guide being the die
tatorial dogma of President as TO what is me
cessity."
COURSE OF LEcrUREs.-A course of five
Lectures will be given in Auburn for the
bsnetit of Christ Church (Ep pscopal.) The
first lecture of the course will be delivered
by Rev VIM H. Hill of Sacramento, or
next Wednesday evening. Henry
Clay"
The second lecture Of the Course will be
given about the frs. of March, by the
Right Rev. Bishop Kip. Subject Recol
eclions of Vienna"
The lectures will all be from gentlemen
who are popular and interesting as speakers
and they should be received by larg audi
ences.
The price of tickets leach ticket admit
ting gentleman and laly) for the course
has been fixed at So. Single tickets to each
lecture, 81.
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