Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-09-03
"Can such things be,


Ifcrime or dsloyal practices have been
committed by Democrats or others. let
them be punished, but puniShed according
TO tie Constitution and the LaWs. The
Democratic party, as loyal aud law abb
ding citizens, demand this, and nothing
more; and they will not willingly submit
to any thing less. This thing is done,
and only can lie done, through violated
Constitution and ly he arbitrary assump.
lion OF power unknown to the executive
branch Of the Government. These times,
gentlemen, are testing our political ins,i-
tntions. Our greatest statesmen of other
days-tne abiest commentators OF the
Constitution-and the great mass Of the
people themselves have labored under
a most signal msapprehension in regard
Ia the working. if not the natural tenden-
cy, OF our politica! institutions, in periods
of great pressure aud excitement. No
greater error has been committed, as al
most every days experience now testifes,
than the fond and cherished supposition,
that the great principles OF public liberty
have been successfully suspended and SO,
cured amidst the nicely balanced checks
OF the Constitution SO far from the
executive ,flice being too weak and in
efficient, as against the checks and re-
straints OF the co. ordinate branches Of
the Government, as has been supposed by
some OF the greatest men who have both
framed and administered it. modern times,
and recent instances OF its exercise, have
proved 1t to be one Of the strongest &c.
parlments OF political power known to
any government OF limited powers on the
lace OF the earth. With whatever re-
s,rain's and limitations the exercise of
delegated power has been cu,bod-how
ever exactly aud tremendously may have
teen adjusted tie complex machinery of
the gove,nment-wiih interest weighed
against interest, and system of checks
and balances provided against every sup,
posed possible abuse fpower-tbere still
exists beneath all This splendid apparatus
oi laws and regulations, as incident to all
human institutions, the gigantic energy
of the passions. which, when aroused into
phIenzy. brush away like cob-webs the
most sagacious contrivances to hold its
vibratory point true to the magnet Of the
common veal.
What is it that has brought about the
terrible crisis which is now upon the
American people, crushing ont their ma
tional prosperity, loading them down
with q burden OF taxation unbeard of in
modem times, and deluging their fairest
fields with fratelnal blood? 1t is the in
ssne ianaticism oi an Abolition pulpit
on the one side. and the internal treason
of the political club-houses on the other.
These two Instruments have worked to-
gelher moro than thirty years in bringing
about the great calamity which is now
shaking the continent as with the m ighty
throes Of an earthquake. 1t is a remark
able fact, tina, John Quincy Adams and
John Caldwell Calhoun. the two repre-
sentative men Of these excited factions,
thirty one years ago. first suggested those
twin IDEAS of political hercsy, abolition of
slavery by Congress. and the secession Of
States from the Contederoied Government
6y Legislative ordinance. 1t was in 1881,
that john Quincy Adams first introduced
into the Cong,ess Of the United Sta'es
petitions from the clergy of New Eng
land, and other religious enthusiasts.
praying for the abolition Of slavery in
the District Of Columbia; and it was dur
ing the next succeeding year that the
State OF South Carolina. through the in-
fuence Of John @. Calhoun, passed hef
ordinance Of nulli6catiou. From that