The Morgantown monitor. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1863-1864, 1863-03-14
MORGANTOWN, MAR. Il, 1868.
A Congress that cana as
cane History

it has set Tree many WIZ '''' ''
standing their love for toe proh'S
and honors that attach to such po-
sitiou, will feel that they have reIIn-
ouishea ca burden greivouS to oe
borne" Never before in the history
OF our Government has the capacity
of this body been taxed with qoes-
tons Of such magnitude aud impor-
lance to themselves and to posterlty;;
and whether their legislation proves
in the future to have been for the
good or evil Of the country, we feel
safe il saying that they can never
escape history. -
The principle features in the acts
Of this Congress which are to reader
it illustrious or DETAINED, rest upon
the future results Of the three bills:
the first providing for the suspension
of the writ OF habeos corpus; the Sec
ond, the Banking bill; ami the third,
the Militia bill. Upon these the
public journals, generally, are very
rrofuse in their criticisms. Some
that are not possessed Of more than
their quota Of patriotism, or are
otherwise blinded by party preJudlceS
have entirely overlooked any merit
or necessity that may attach 10 the
bills, and have given them all full
aul hearty tenunciaticn. Others,
however. with more deliberation and
foresight seem to have gathered some
encouragement from them, except It
be the first mentioned. upon which
all conservative papers agree in con
demning. We confess that IN this
latter case we can but feel nigh de-
gree of qualification that measure
SO odious and so destructive 10 the
dearest principles Of Republican 60
yernmeut should meet with such q
unani;nons Geounciation rom tie
tott ttra Il s-r AaltS;2&, AG-!!e rs
lights that shone out in this dark day
Of our countrys history to disclose
the vile Vaccinations Of set Of po-
litical usurpers struggling against
the liberties of the American citizen.
TIE journals commenting upon
these bills take the ground that Con-
gress by their passage had establish
ell Mr.. Lincoln as temporary die
tatoy-the Militia bill giving Gim
entire control Of all the militia Of
the United States the Banking bill
investing him with power over the
banks aud currency of the country;
and the suspension Of the writ Of
hobeas corpus, giving him authority
over the liberties of the individual
citizen. The New York Hcrald COM
ments as follows:
The important measures which have lately
passed. and Others which are ROW under conSid-
Grafton in the two Houses OF Congress, will
leave no excuse for failure on the part Of the
present administration to pat an end to the re-
belliou. With the closing OF the present session
President Lincoln will be practically invested
with all the powers OF q dictator. The scope of
his authority aud discretion us President of the
United States will hIrd!, be less than that Of
Louis Napoleon as Emperor OF France. Our
whole political system Of the peace establishment,
including the Subordination OF the Federal Co
vernment to the will of the States and the people
will be reversed for the States and the people
will be rendered subordinate to the will Of the
Federal Administration. And this will be done.
too, through the duly elected representatives Of
the States and the peopei in Congress assembled.
The Herald then argues the ne
cessity OF these measures, and does
not seem to think tnat Congress has
passed the barriers If the Coustitu-
ton. 1t predicts that there is not
the slightest danger Of an abnse Of
this authority By President Lincoln
for am bilious purposes, thinking his
ambition limited to the suppression
Of the rebellion. Yet We think he
overlooked the fact that it is estab-
fishing precedent that may be dis
astrous TO our government hereafter.
In further sanction Of the measures
he cites the condition Of the rebel
lious States which he argues, " sub
nit to prescriptions, spoiia;ionS,
losses, and sufterines painful to con-
template, under the belief that oil
these things are demanded Of them
to secure the independence Of their
Southern Cyutederacy, ana aader
the belief, too, that with this object
secured, they will have better 60
vernment, aad new career Of hap |
piness, security and prosperity. : Are
not then" says he, the people OF
the loyal States equal 10 toe task Of
sustaining, in comparatively light
degree, the burdens Of a struggle .