The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-06-19

and comprehensive statesman who grappled
with national problems, and make bold here
to say that no wiser. purer, more patriotic
statesman ever lived. As early as l849 he
>foretold this convulsion unless his proposed
remedy was adopted. He regarded the instr
tuition Of slavery at the South as the pillar Of
their strength, security and civilization, and
its disturbance by foreign elements as sure to
lead to the downfall Of the Union. Hence,
his theory of reconstruction looked to the per-
manency and security of that favorite institu-
ton, and to removing it far from the race Of
intermeddling puritanical philanthropy. He
correctly held that the more perfectly 60
vernment combines power and liberty of the
dominant race the more perfectly it fulflls
the end of its creation. He further held that
the government Of the mere numerical MAORI
ty did not accomplish this in any reasonable
dgree; hence he proposed what he denomi-
mated "the current majority principle" as
better suited to prevent the government from
transcending the limits in which it was ap-
pointed to move, and restrict it to its primary
end, the protection Of the community from
elementary disturbance.
SIT may be that the South might be will
ling to return upon the adoption of some such
system of reconstruction as this. If this plan
of reconciliation and reconstruction fails,
then separation must be finality. shall
deeply mourn over the necessity that compels
soch policy, but will accept it in preference
to long years of cruel strife, hopelessly de-
moralizing our people, prostrating our BUSH
ness, and making as the scorn and pity of
Christendom. Impartial history will fasten the
responsibility where it belongs, and where
Mr.. Douglas, in his speech of 1861, placed it,
upon the Republican party, who, to use his
own forcible language refused to allow the
people at the ballot box to determine for
themselves theissue between revelation and
war on the one side, and obstinate adherence
to party platform on the other"
81 do not hesitate to declare in the ears
of this administration, and of the Loyal
Leaguers, its allies, that if their war upon the
personal liberty of the subject, in defiance of
the guarantees of the Constitution, goes on,
the time may come when 'forbearance ceases
to be virtue" and Persistence to tyrants be-
comes obedience to God"
'The recent assault upon that patriotic
champion of the Constitution and the rights
of the people, Vallandigham, subjecting him
to the secret inquisition of q court martial, is
an Infamous violation of every constitutional
provision, and utterly sebvsrsive, if submitted
to, of every prin6ple upon which free govern
ment rests. Th( all men should yield to the
State is beautiful in theory, but good in prac-
tice only when the State is the aggregate Of
legitimate private constitutional interests, ad-
ministered by honest persons. The true pub
lie interest is composed of the aggregate por-
ton of such private intsrests-and when the
State makes war upon these, in a free govern
ment, that assailed interest has right bold
" to assert itself, and demand hearing. In
despoti ms, private interests are not openly
heard. They must proceed, if ut all, by in
trigue and by conspiracy. Theinterest Of the
State, then. becomes-as it really is fast becom-
ing here-the interest administered by func-
tionaries who advance and keep themselves at
the public expense, and put down with the
strong arm Of unlicensed power those who
have the courage to complain. We, as De-
mocrats, nay, as American citizens, only ask
lit is all we ever asked) that the great magma
charta of eur freedom shall be observed, and
the guaranteed rights of the citizens secured.
Obedience to the Constitution and the laws
has ever been with US, and must ever be, pa
ramcunt to obedience to arbitrary power
Let our cry be in the fearful contest that is
approaching-.We will ask for nothing but
what is right; we will submit to nothing that
is wrong land then if our cry is unheeded,
let US pray that some Maccabees shall arise,
who will assert the honor of the ancient faith,
and defend the temple of his forefathers with
as ardent and determined spirit as that
which actuatss these innovators to destroy the
monuments Of the piety, patriotism and glory
Of our fathers"