Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-08-07
THE REMEDY.
From the Montgomery Mail

A short time since, the Richmond "Enqui.
rer" intmated that the c1igencies Of the
country might require the appointment of n
dictator The proposition has been-riolently
assailed by portion of the press.
But We cannot see any cause for this
denunGiation of the Enquirer" There
is nothing so very appalling in the pro-
position. nor would there be any humil-
iation in its adoption. AL government
is in a measure, the infringement Of social
and personal liberty. 1t is 30 much personal
liberty taken from US for the good of the
commonwealth. The forms of government
vary according to the habits, manners and
customs of the people. In one community
we shall find the majority declaring for a
monarchy; in another, it will be seen that a
republic is preferred; and in third, the ge-
MUS of the people will declare for o mixed
rorernment-that is, government combining
the strength Of monarchy with the virtue OF
a republic 1t is matter Of taste entirely,
arising from the habits, manners and customs
of mankind. In Russia, there is a monarchy
of the sternest rule; in England, there is an
other form of monarchy, consisting of three
estates-the king lords and commons; in
France, we find monarchy in which the
Emperor is q constitutional chief surrounded
hy the forms of monarchy; in fact, Napoleon
|. described his position exactly when he said,
at St. Helena. that he had been "a crowned
Washington in Congress of Kings" Now
we in America have preferred a republican
form Of government. The secession of the
Southern States furnishes no solid or truthful
argument against the stability of republics,
because the disintegration arose from the
continued encroachments of one section of
the Union against the rights of another -
We all believe our system to be the best in
the world, and superior to any that has ever
existed, ancient or modern. But the ques-
ton arises, is republic having the ConIed-
crate form-being composed of many compo-
ncnt parts-cqual to every emergency? Is
such a government, constrained in its action
by written constitution, sufficiently powerful
to meet and overcome every emergency? Is
it impossible that case may OCCUR in which
such government thus bound by precise in
structions, will find itself powcrlcss amid
the storm and waves Of revolution? We think
n little reflection will teach us that such case
is not impossible. We shall not cite the e3-
amples of Camillus and Cncinnatus, who
we're made Dictators when Rome was invaded,
but come down to modern times and to Ameri-.
ca 1Or proof VI WNdC VIZ SUf lue dItlCitS VI
Confederation, which formed the constitution
of the Thirteen Colonies during the great
American revolution, were found to be in
efficient in their operation during the darkest
period of the war. The laws Of tho Congress
we're in many cases disregarded, and in
some of the States almost wholly inopera-
tive. Something must be done to give secu-
rity, stability, aud efficiency to the laws. But
how was this to be accomplished? Was it
to be effected by passing bills of pains and
penaltie s? No, for these, would have been
equally imperative. It was determined, then,
in that hour of danger, in that crisis Of our
fate. to invest General Washington with the
powers of Dictator Did the Colonies re-
pent the act2 No. From that moment the
cause of liberty began to prosper, and indie
pendence was achieved.
1t will be seen, therefore, that the appoint
ment of Dictator does not necessarily con-
vert the Confederacy into q monarchy. 1t
will be seen also that SO far from converting
the Confederation of l176 into monarchy,
that tho appointment of Dictator saved
them from the despotism of n monarchy
Hence it may be inferred that when placed in
q similar situation a similar remedy would be
efi"ient. If we are in a situation to require
this e1trme medicine, why should we hesitate.
to take i? We know, indeed, that many per-
sons are disposed to have conservative fit if
the slightest allusion is made to the suspend
ing of the constitution. But have they reflect
ed that the adoption of the Constitution ard
the abolition of the Provisional Government
were matters of very quest enable propre y
and patriotism The statesmen Of the cou
try will know what we mean. They know lie
varying circumstances that menace State dur
ing the storms of a mighty war. They know that
written constitutions, if strictly construed, are
not adapted to times like these. and they will
point to the example of England, which has
no written constitution, but merely acts of
Parliament, which are adapted to the e1igency
of the times-which contract in times Of
peace and expand in times of war-whch vary
with varying circumstances, and meet the
issue"
We know that these opinions will startle
many persons who have been educated to be-
lieve that written constitutions are balm
for every wound. But we ask them to
think little before they pass Judgment upon
Us,