Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-07-28
RIGHT OF REVOLUTION"

"RIGHT OF REVOLUTION"
Writers on Government have speculated much
as to the theoretical principles on which the So
called fright Of revolution" is capable OF being
substantiated as an ultimate element Of political
change lying within the legitimate but underlined
nrerogatiyes of the people. The signers of the
Declaration of Independence declared the existence
and extent of this right, they understood it, in
the following terms After reciting the objects Of
government they add:
"Whenever any form Of Government becomes destruc-
tive OF these ends it the tight of the people TO alter or to
abolish it, and to institute new Government laying It's
foundation on uch principles and organizing It's powers
such FORM as to them shah most likely TO effect their
safety and happiness PrudenO indeed will dictate that
overnments long established should not be changed Tor
gbt and transient and, accordingly all experience
hath shown that mankind disposed to suffer- while
evils are suerable than to right themselves D aoosning
the forms to which they are accustomed But wnen
long train of aud usurpaons pursuing the
same object evnces design to reduce them under soso
Lutte despotism it is their right It their duty 70 throw
off such Government and to provide new guards LOT tner
future security
But when the Fathers of the Republic, after
their independence had been achieved by bloody
struggle, proceeded to lay the foundations OF new
civil structure they were careful to exclude from
Il this sooalled right of revolution, by removing,
in the first place, all conceivable necessity for its
exercise and, secondly, by providing method for
the amendment Of the Constitution at such times
and in such matters as experience should prove to
he expedient. Mr.. CALHOUN, it is known, con-
curred in this view of our Government, and, while
sacretary Of State under President TYLER, argued
that it was not only the right but the duty of the
Federal Government to put down force" when
aver force should be invoked an element Of po-
litical change"
We have been reminded of this doctrine by the
rerusal within the last day or two of a series of
lectures on aThe Science of Government as exhi-
bited in the Institutions of the United States" by
CHARLES B. GooDRIcH, Esq, an eminent mem
ber of the Boston bar These lectures were origi-
n.llv read before the Lowell Institute in the
wears 1928, and having been subsequently
gathered into a volume, still remain source Of
;n,truction to all who would wish to find in a
compact and philosophical form faithful ex-
position Of our complex political system, with
;ts partition of powers, as respectively exer-
cised by the several States and by the National
Government. Referring to the assumed right of
revolution as attaching to certain forms of Govern
ment. Mr.. Goodrich holds the following language
with regard to our own:
referred to the subject Of revolution, and to the
principles applicable thereto for the purpose of
not applicable 70 our sIsnt I. i and nav
h. IN svstems of different construction The science
Of government as exhibited in the institutions OF the
United States doe. not nc Of reg .n
was created and established BY the people consists OF
diHerent sovereignties, of departments and OF nstu-
tons These sovereignties tnese "o
no The peopie for certain prescribed term OF time The
adminstratve power by which term | mean Inc iegis-
lstive and executive department" OF Inc teyer s'ases
At short intervals of time from one person or class
f na,sons to smother individual or class OF individuals
This change in many Of the State Governments annual
and IN all il frequent 60 that the people nave constant
onnortunitv bv change of men or change OF ofcers,
~ avoid corruption ncompetency or carelessness 80
far A. the same may result from individuals VINO LOT the
time being may be charged with the trusts OF govern
ent From this fact you Will perceive that reVouuon
- not essential to the people or to maintenance OF their
ghts and liberties far they may be dsregardsd or
endangered by the individuals n power or place. these
;nav;duas in most cases. liable to be removed Dy
imnaschment or other mode Of removal, falthess or
incompetept; aud long they remain 10 once are
snbiect 70 the charters and constitutions under which
they act limit within and y wien ,hey are
The legislative department. in one branch, whch the
popular and in some respects the most important may
i nsrtisy changed every two years. and every years
NAV be filed bypersons Of whom shall have occu-
pied bis place under and the same election more than
sx years The chief executive oeer as you are aware,
= bsnoed ~ NAV be- every four years The result of this
Arrangement IT, that person hold office under tine
Federal Cover nment except judicial Offices for more than
sI years. sgaus the will q the people Inc persons 10
ONCE upon csuse shown, may Do displaced 10 less time
and ali judicial officers subject to impeachment and
removal Tor corruption that the people without foe'
ble revolution are secure 10 their rights they are true
to themselves If the system does not accomplish the pnr-
pose sought to be attained its establishment may be
modified and changed by amendment"