The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-01-28

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laws and the Constitution. This spirit oi
disloyalty must be put down. 1t is in
consistent with all social order and social
security, with safety of persons and prop
erty. ri besraic
In order to uphold our Government
it is also necessary that we should show
respect to the authority of our rulers
While acting within the limits of their
Jurisdiction, and representing the honor
and the dignity of our people, they are
entitled to Difference. Where it is their
right to decide upon measures and policy
| it is our duty to obey and give ready
support to their decisions. This is vital
maxim of liberty Without this loyalty
no Government can conduct public affairs
with success, no people be safe in the en-
ljoyment of their rights This duty is pc
culiarly strong under our system, which
gives the people the right at their elec-
tions to sit in judgment upon their rulers,
to commend or condemn them, to keep
them in, or expel them from official sta
tions 81. ssl1.sil-
This war should have been averted; but
when its food-gates were opened, the Ad-
ministration could not grasp its dimen-
sions nor control its sweep. Government
was borne along by the current, and strus-
gled as it best could with the resistless
tide Few seemed able to comprehend its
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 of principle. The
same causes which rxtenuate their faults
in Judgment, must make us vigilant to
guard against their influences. Unusual
dangers demand unusual vigilance.
EcoNGMY AND INTEGRITY.
Econemy and integrity in the admins
tration of aifairs are essential at all times;
they are vital in periods of war. If the
power Of the people to su tain the ex-
penses of war is broken down, it is vain
that we have sent our citizens into the field
and that they have shed their blood in
unsupported Efforts to save our country
The opportunity which a state of war
gives to unprincipled men to prey upon the
public Treasury and the difficulty of
checking their schemes, must be borne in
mind, when we judge the Integrity of our
rulers But while these difficulties should
shield them from harsh Judgment, they
are additional reasons for vigilance and
caution. 1t is in the nature of war to
create powerful financial and ambitious
| interests, eager to proiong its duration.
1t is one of its chief dangers that it builds
up an active class whoa gain power and
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labor and property of the mass of citizens.
This organized class use the National
Treasury to support schemes of plumber
or ambition, and the taxes wrungl from
the people are thus made to prolong The
state OF war and military government.
The power of our rulers to avert these
influences must be aided and strengthen
ed by the most ample exposition Of inan-
cial affairs.
+ Extravaganza and corruption are viola
tinns of the faith pledged to the public
creditors The M ney loaned to the Ma
| tional Treasury was hot brought forward
at time of peace and Confidence, but in
a time of doubt and danger. These claims
are held by the rich and poor. Tbs
amounts owned by corporations represent
1 the interests of women and children, The
/ aged and infrm The right of our sol
diers to demand economy and integrity is
OF the most sacred character. Never in
4 the history of the world have armies Of
4 such Numbers been made up of those who
voluntarily left prosperous pursuits and
happy homes to suffer the dangers and
4 privations of war; When defeat or de-
struction Of life by violence or disease
thinned theSiranks of our armies, they
. promptly and freely stepped forward tc
the rescue Of the country's flag. "a fear
ful crimes will be done by those who shall
suffer National bankruptcy to turn into
dust and ashes the pensions ndsbounties
4 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 4self-support. .
i 1t is worse that Government should
be overturned by corruption than by VIC.
4 lence A .virtuoqs people will regain
3 their rights if torn from them, but there
{ is no hope for; those who suffer corruption
to sap and rot away their freedom.
LIMITATIONS, OF POWER.
There are not only obligations resting
upon our people toward our authorities
but under our political system there are
Limitations between the departments O
the Government and between the States
and National Governments, which must b
observed to secure the public safety A
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