The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-30
LIE, TENNESSEE, SATURDAY. JANUARY 30, 1864
From the Richmond Wig. Jan. 1.
Counter IgevOIution

Counter RevOIutiOn
The Constitution of the Confederate
States ordians three Departments Of Gov
eminent - Executive, Legislative, and
judiciary. They are coordinate in dig
nifty and authority, and each in its sphere
supreme as sgsiust the other. The sue
cessfui attempt of one of these Depart
meHts 10 subordinate the others would
be revolution. The combination of two
Of them to destroy the other would be
conspiracy. The Constitution would be
overthrow aud The liberties OF the peO.
pie subverted if such a procedure were
tolerated. Is there no occasion to think
Of this? Let US see.
In our issue Of yesterday, we mention
ed the passage by an almost unanimous
vote Of the Senate, of bill repeating the
exemption of those who have placed sub
stitutes IN the service. This bin, having
been rushed through the house, where II
originated, with most undignifed if not
indecent preeipiiancy, requires now but
the signature Of the President to become
an act. It may now be regarded as
law. We wish at this time only to make
some passing comments upon the tone
manifested in Congress in the debates
upon this measure. A Senator (Mr Orr,
offs @ }, among other objections to the
passage Of the bill gravely questioned ITS
legality.
If the pending bill becomes law"
said Mr. O., there viii be 4 great diGi-
Guilty in executing it by reason Of the
decisions Of the several Courts in several
of the States. We must scquiesce ia the
decisions of the Courts, or resort 20
measures which he was not prepared for"
A Senator from Missouri (Mr. Clark
representing . constituency wholly be-
yond the sction aud control Of our laws,
replied, in urging its passage, that in
regard 10 the action Of the Courts, steps
may and should be taken to remove the
subject beyond their Jurisdiction The
Senator from Mississippi (Mr Brown
goes further Owe should not defer our
legislation TO consult the views Of every
State Judge-to ascertain whether he
will overthrow il or not by his Judicial |
decision. We have high duties to per-
form. Let as perform them without ref.
erence TO State judges. There was q
remedy against the interference of ths
Courts, in the suspension Of the writ Of
habaas corpus.
The vote Of Congress upon this meas
ure shows TO what extent the provisions
of the Constitution are getting TO be de-
graded in the Legislative branch, and
how far revolutionary sentiment already
prevails in that body. The strength Of
the popular respect for our Government,
and the good sense of the quiet masses,
NAV for the moment slow such declara-
tions to pass without disturbance. The
little respect in which substitute men
arc held may influence . temporary &C.
quiesence in them. Bat the intelligent
and ardent lover Of his country cannot
witness such proceedings with indiffer-
erence, nor will be, with submission.
There is az much patriotism and intel
ligence out of the Halls of Congress as in
It, and the tendency Of the legislative
session 20 \ subversiOu Of the liberties of
TIE country aud a military despOtism is
already sowing the seeds Of = counter
revolution. Our people claim il az their
right, as the duty of the general govern
nent to insure to them, as The basis Of
the compact by which they have ssso-
eia'ed together, that the C0nfederacy is
but 3 community Of sovereign States.
They look to the Constitution as the su-
lreme law Of the COnfedsracy. They
regard il az among the blessings for
which they are indebted TO their ances-
ry, that they transmitted to US writ
an Constitution. Is received the plight
ID faith of our fathers. II is the hope Of
,ur posteritY. To argue questions out
ide or above il, is but TO assail the cause
# law, of right aud order
The wise men who so recently remOd-
lied our present Government may have
doubted its perpetuity when they saw
wreck after wreck floating on the tide Of /
ime of the shoFt-liVed Republic which
.ad preceded them. RemOdeled, to,
fter experience from violations Of the I
id chart, aud at q time when clouds and
darkness were lowering over us, they
ave it to us aud we took it az the an
Dor Of hope to cling 70 in the coming
torn. We took it as our reliance, IS our
1preme law snd the Congress or Ex-
cutive who would not throw il aside
7ould perj1re their oath to abide By Il {
in letter and spirit; to render
obedience, and TO support and main tais I
/, and neither in conscience or conduct (
D ever transcend il.
Should toe poison Of their doctrines 10
7hich we have referred, faint the rever-
nee Of our people for this fundamental I
harl-should the insidious councils Of
ur Representatives corrupt the very STAN {
"a Of our Government-What antidole |
an restore il 10 health and honor /
bouid our people be brought to despise
be weakness Of their Government, or {
aspect it4 intention Of hostility 70 the
eneral welfare, the slightest irregullrity, (
be exercise Of any unauthorized power,
whether by principal or subordinate off I
ers, will be sufficient 10 arouse their
ngrT clamors, OF almost 10 make them
ise in arms against IL. There is q spirit
{ resistance in the hearts Of our coua- .
rymen. They value life not by its con-
enienees, but By the independence and
ignity Of its condition. Az this mo-
rent We appeal only 70 the discretion Of
congress before they arouse the jealous /
ladness of our people.