Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-01-21


lers, to commend or condemn them, t,
keep them in or compel them from oil
cial stations.
This war should have Teen aycrted
but when its tlood.gates were opened, ia,
Administration could not graspi's dimen
sions nor control its sweep. Government
was borne along by the current, and strug,
Gied as it best could with the resislless
tide. Few seemed to comprehend itg
military or financial problems. Hence
we are not to sit in harsh judgment upon
errors in conduct or policy.
| But while we concede all these excuses
for mistakes, we are not to adopt errors
nor sanction violation Ct principle. The
same causes which eXtenuate their faults
IN judgment, must make us more yigilant
to guard against their influences. Unu,
sual dangers demand unusual vigilance,
Economy and httgri.g
ECONOMY and integrity in the admins,
lrallon ol affairs are essential at all times
they are vital in periods of war. If the
pow er Of the People to sustain the expens-
Is OF war - troken down, it is vain that
We have Ssnt our citizens into tho field,
and that they have shed their blood in
unsupported efforts to save our county.
The opportunities which state Of war
/ gives 10 uupriucipled men to prey upon
the public treasury, and the difficulty of
checking their schemes, must be borne in
mind, when we judge Of the integrity Of
our rulers. Bat while these difficulties
should shield them ON harsh judgment
they are additional reasons for vigilance
and caution. 1t is in the nature Of war
/ Io cresle powerful financial and ambitious
Interests ,edgcI 10 toprC4Ung its duration. 1t IS
one Ot is chlet dangers that il builds up an
active class who gain power and wealth
by the taxation imposed upon the labor
Gud property Of the mass OF citizens
| This organized class use the National
! Treasury to support the scheue, OF plum .
der or ambition. and the taxes WruUg
from the people are thus made to proloEg :
the state OF war and military government.
/ The power Of our rulers to avert tLeSe in>
| Huerces must be aided and strengthened
by the most ample exposition Of financial
| affairs.
| Extravaganza and corruption are viola.
tion5 OF the faith pledged to the public
creditors. The money loaned the Nation-
al Treasury wss not brought forward at
Time OF peace ard confidence, but IN
time OF doubt and danger. These claims
are held Icy the rich and poor. The A.
mounts owusd by corporations represent
the irterests of women and children, the
aged and iuhrm. The right Of our SOL
diers to demand economy and integrity is
ofthe most sacred character. Never in
the history OF the world have armies Of
such Numbers been made up OF those who
voluntarily left prosperous pursuits and
hnppy homes 10 suffer the dangers and
priyations Of war. When defeat or deN
bIuction oil life by violence or disease
thinned the ranks of our armies, they
promptly and freely stepped forward to
the rescue of the country's flag. A fear
full crime will be done by those who shall
suffer Natioual bankruptcy to turn into
dust and asheb the pensions and bounties
thus gained at the cost OF blood and
health and exposure. These pensions
will, in many cases, be the sole reliance Of
those thus made Incapable OF self supH
port.
1t is worse that Government should
bs overturned By corruption than by vioN
lence. A virtuous people will regain
their rights if tom from them, but there
is no hope for those who suffer corruption
to sap and rot away the fabric OF their
! freedom.
Limitations Of PO,cer.
There are not only obligations resting
upon our people toward our authorities,
but under our political system, there are
limitations between the departments Of
the Government, and between the State
, and National Governments, which must
be ob.erYed TO secure the public safety
At this time these warning words of
Washington have peculiar significance -
at is important, likewise, that the habits Of
! thnhiag in free country should inspire caution
| in thoge interests with its administration, to
| confne themselves within their respective con-
stitutional spheres; avoiding, in the exercise Of
| the powers Of one department, to enchroach up
! on the other. The spirit Of enchroachmeht tends
! TO consolidate the powers Of all the departments
! in one, and thus to create, whatever the form Of
! government, a real despotism. just estimate
Of that love Of power, and proncness to abuse it,
which predominates in the human heart, is sut-
cent 10 satisfy We Of the truth of this positisn.
The Legislative. Executive and Judi .
cial Departmett are coordinate. 1t Is
! cUuallV tTeaSODaUle 10 TGSiSb tu6 llShtlul
authority of either. TO overthrow the
power OF either Department is isrevolutioB.
! Legislative right, Executive power and
Judicial Independence are alike sacred.
Disregard for the limits Of State and Mas
tiona jurisdictions, and the interference
OF one Department with the duties OF an>
other, are not only opposed to the genius
and organization ofour civil government,
! but they have caused disasters to the con~
duct of the war.
While the War Department set aside
the authority of TIE Judiciary, and overs
rides the laws of States, the Governors OF
States meet TO shape the policy Of the
General Government, the National Legs
latuIe appoints committees TO interfere
with the military conduct of the war, and
Sen9lors combine to dictate the Execu,
tive choice Of constitutional advisers. The
natural results of meddIing and intrigue
have followed. While our armies have
gained victories in fields remote from the
Capitol within its influence the heroic
valor of our soldiers and the skill of our
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