The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-08-27


advancing toward usurpation of all the
rights reserved to the States, and the con-
solidation in itself of all power; foreign and
domestic, and that, too, by constructions
which, if legitimate, leave no limits to their
power.
George Westinghouse is important
that the habit Of thinking in Il free coun-
try should inspire caution in those entrus-
ted with its administration to confine them
selves within their respective constitution
al spheres, avoiding i'll the exercise of the
powers of one department, to encroach up
Oh another The spirit of encroachment
tends to consolidate the powers Of all the
departments in one, and thus create, what
ever the form of government, real despo-
tsm. \ just estimate on that love of
power and proneness to abuse 1t which
prcdominates in the human heart is sufii-
cient to satisfy us of the truths of this posi-
ton. The necessity of reciprocal checks
in the exercise of political power, by di-
viding and distributing it into different de-
partments, and constituting each the guar
dian of the public veal against invasion by
the other, has been evinced by expert
ments, ancient and modern; some of them
in our own country and under our own
eyes. To preserve them must be as nee
essary as to institute them.
If, in the opinion of the people, the des-
truction or modification of the constitu-
tional powers be in any particular wrong,
let it be corrected by an amendment i'll the
way which the Constitution delegates
But let there be no change by usurpation;
for, though this in one instance may be the
customary weapon by which free govern
ments are destroyed. The precedent must
always ovcrbalance in permanent evil any
partial or transient benefit which the use
may at the time yield.
Daniel Webster-Througha all the history
of the contest for liberty, executive power
has been regarded as lion which must be
Gagged. So far from being the object of
culi ightened popular trust, SO far from be-
inc considered the natural protector of
popular right, it has been dreaded as the
great source OF its danger
Abramham Lincoln repeat, in my
own defense, that power is necessary to
government. and that the life of every
ablc-bodied man in the country should be
placed at its disposal to preserve the integ-
rity of the country In this view of the
case conscription becomes an imperative ne
ccssity.
Judge Gaston-W hat, are the freemen
of this country to be drafted from the
ranks of the militia, and forced as military
machines to wage war of conquest? |
have been accustomed to consider the lit
tie share which have in the Constitution
of the United States as my most valuable
possession; but do solcmnly declare that
if such doctrine be grated into this Con
stitution, regard it as without value, and
care not for its preservation.
At this stage Of the proceedings there
was sudden pause, which was produced
by remarkable apparition Immediately
over the head of the Spirit of the Constitu-
ton. 1t was like the hand writing on the
wall whlchs truck terror to the heart of Bel
shazzarr There, inscribed in characters OF
living light, was the ghostly representation
of the immortal document which NAV be
truly said to have given birth to toself-govern-
ment in the new world. 1t was.
THE DECLARATION or INDEPENDENCE,
The Spirit the Constitution, pointing
with one hand to the prisoner at the bar
and with the other to the flaming words
above his head, read, as with sepulchra
voice, the following sentence:
He has erected Il multitude of new off
ces, and sent thither swarms of officers tc
harrass our people and eat out their sub
stance.
He has affected to render the miltar,
Independent of and superior to the civi
power.
He has combined with others to subiec
rs to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitu
ton, and unacknowledgcd by our laws: Civ
ing his assent to their acts of pretended
legislation
lie has quartered large bodies of armee
: troops among us::
lie has dcpivcd us in many cases of tn,
benefits of trial by jury.
He has taken our charters. abolishe,
our most valuable laws, and altered, funda
mentally, the powers of our government.
He has suspended our own Legislatures
He has abdicated government here, b,
4 declaring US ont of his protection, anc
waglng war against us.
He has ravaged our coasts, burnt ou,
v towns and destroyed the lives of our peo
t pie.