The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-01-10
WHAT Is TAUGHT.

A very remarkable article, under the caption,
The Reserved Forces of the Constitution" ap-
pears on the first page Of TO- days paper. 1t is
remarkable inasmuch it presents in much
clearer light views of constitutional power, sell
dom if ever before expressed. 1t is still more
remarkable because Of the plainness with which
is stated the selfprotectng clauses of the Constis
tution-gratifying to loyalists that there exists
in the supreme law Of the land such emphatic
terms, which never would have been brought to
light but for the conspiracy of anti-republcan
African Slavery against free institutions. One
fails to contemplate the wisdom and grandeur
Of the American Constitution, when is exhibited
its adaptedness to exigencies undreamed Of at
the time of its formation. We are taken back to
the sitting of the sages that formed this instru-
ment. Some time spent in boisterousness,
and i'll success attended all their abors. At last
the immortal franklin, himself a partial disbe-
Eever in the existence of Supreme Ruler, arose,
and proposed that their consultations be pre-
faced with prayer The suggestion was adopted
and acted upon, and thenceforward their bus-
ness passed off harmonionsly. The success
which attended them, is peculiarly attested by
the correctness Of the instrument, as is demon
etrated by It's suitableness to any and ali events
that might be encountered by the Government
which they proposed establishing. The clauses
mentioned in the article alluded to, as bearing
upon present movements in the political world,
are but the fayors Of Him whose eye alone can
penetrate futurity, and evidence of the stability
Of our Magma Chara.
To the sccessionsympathizin Democracy the
views advanced will be distasteful-it would
have been more in accordance with their feelings
had these preserved forces of the Constitution
been allowed to slumber on undsturbed until
the necessity which they were made to meet had
passed. The corner stone of modern Democracy
is Slavery and it is Slavery that has provoked
the resurrection Of these :" reserved forces" To
them it will be radical'-indeed they will not
stop shert of revol lutionary" But with Time
advances Civilization and Reform--and that
which in times ofpeace forbade the guaranteeing
ola republican form of government to por-
ton OF our people, must necessarily yield to that
agreement made with the people Of .'the land u
The institution Of Slavery. in Its tendencies, is
certainly antagonistic to a Republican form Of
So'>'>"', .S. iS tfotecleu ty tlal lusiTuiHeu
which expressly stipulates that each State shall
be guaranteed this form of government This is
somewhat singular contradiction, but one
doubtless admissible at that time They were
not intended TO endure. however. Such could
not stand unscathed amid terrific civil commc
:ions. One or the other must yield
The time has come for carrying out the inten,
and purposes Of our Constitution--for establish
ing fully the blessings it is calculated to secure
What is palmer than that the rebellious States
are at the complete mercy Of Congress! Th'
Federal Government is expressly commanded Il
guarantee republican form of government t
every State in this Union" The States in arms
ngaips. the supreme law Of the land" do no
enjoy such form Of government; therefore i
devolves upon Congress to secure it to them
We are not aware that there is any specified
plan for Its consummation but believe th'
power discretionary. This, then. renders th'
admission of Western Virginia into the Union a,
/. State constitutional as well as just 1t doe.
more 1t emphatically authorizes. under the cir