The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-09-18
for the ''good old days of peace and Democrat.

for the ''good old days of peace and Democrat
ic rule"
But, says this translucent scribbler; "Every
man is either friend to this Government or
aiding the insurrection against it," Another as
serton which is true but which applies to ''eesry
,nan''-I uean every man in the United States
Perhaps, 'Visible Democrat means every man
in the univGrse; in, which case suppose he in
cludes among the loyal, the king of Dahomey
and his very free, very enlightened, and very in
telligent subjects. But ''every man in this
country, is either friend to this government or
aiding the insurrection against it," Now, let
us see what is ''this government" This is q
Government based on the principle that all
power is inherent in tho peopis, and as it is
necessary in every form OF government TO have
some supreme power, our fathers recognizing
this principle, gave us the Constitution. The
Constitution is the highest law in this land
it is even above the power Of the people, TO the
extent that as long as they pay allegiance to it,
they cannot change it except according to It's
own provisions The power of the people Is
only above the Constitution when they assert
the right Of revolution and are successful. This
being the case, all who are citizens are bound
by it in all its express proyisions.--ln the Con-
stitution all the duties of the several branches
i-Legislasive, Executive and Judicigl--are de-
fined and limited The President is not over
and above tie Constitution, by virtue of his Of
iico as commander in chief Of the Army and
Navy, any more than the puniest private in
either Of them. Has he not SWORN to ''Bfc-
sejYe, protect and defend the Constitution (? This
OATH does not mean that he shall preserve the
Ipowers of the Executive branch and destroy
The rest but it means the Constitution with al
It's provisions. The President, though he is com
mander in chief, is not the supreme power. His
duties are only executive and are limited by the
Constitution; his powers are not supreme hui
limited. Then, to.whom do we owe our al
llegiance, to the President or to the Coustitu-
tionl Certainly not to the mere administration
of the Executive Department, but TO the Con
}stitution which is the whole Government. And
hence, to preserve tllis governments, we mus
preserve the Constitution. Now, to use th(
language Of 'Visible Democrat" FEvery man
is either friend to this Government or aiding
the instruction against it y and the men whi
are for the Constitution are for the government
whilst those who in any manner, violate it
provisions, are ''aiding the insurrection dgainS
it." And how does this ''YiSi6le Democrat
support the Constitution or the Government
have no doubt he will say that he is lQyal-
yes, he is doubtless loyal to Abrm Lincoln H
may also be ''Visible" here, where he is reall,
/ opposing the government, because he is opposin
; the Constitution, but he is IRp;Sble in the army
like his other ioya'friends. But, he informs tn
: Editor of that intensely loyal sheet the lnqui
rer, that he ''ShaN hear from him again"
l suppose when he carries out this fearful threat
he will let US know it.-Yours, &c.
CONSCRIPT.