The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-09-27

territory or the people, or the Otate Toy
ernments, in resorting to war, because
usurpers, by force, and in fraud, pervert-
ed the power of the State to illegal ends;
that their acts, as far as executed, were
without authority, and therefore wrongful
80 far as not executed are utterly void.
This usurpation supplanted the legitimate
Governments, which lie dormant ,inopera-
tive now, but entitled to all the powers
and rights of the States, when the usur-
patton displaced them. Hence he ap.
points Provisional Governors to set the
old machinery in motion, land seeks piv-
otal point on which its revolution shall
commence. at9Tt o7a 5ageit 1oE H5Za
wish the President had gone further.
He would have done better if he had ac-
cepted Sherman's truce. He would have
done better if, when he received the sub
mission of armed forces, he had recog-
nized the legitimate powers of organized
State Governments. But he has done
we'll in this that he recognizes the powers
of the State over the question. of suffrage;
that he appoints as Provisional Governors
the citizens of the States, and not super
serviceable patriots from Ohio or Massa-
sumo their relations to. the Federal Gov
ernment as soon as possible, and to be
represented in both Houses of Congress
and on those points l desire to give
him cordial and hearty approval.
The first desire of every patriot now is
the pacifcation of the country, the return
to the ways and duties and prosperities
of peace, and this can most speedily and
only be accomplished by securing to the
people of the South self-government in
their States, and their appropriate infu-
ence in the government of the Union
The Constitution will do this. 1t need
only be observed. Its provisions are all
sufficient. 1t needs no amendment. Wise
men made it; good men administered it
for seventy years; peace and prosperity
attended it. 1t will bring again union
and freedom and prosperity. 1t secures
! the rights of the States at home. 1t Sc
cures the just rights of the Federal Gov
ernment. 1t secures the liberty of the
citizen. IF the President win fairly ad-
minister it; if he will make an honest eff
fort to apply its provisions; if he will re-
member that the powers of the Fedederal
Government are all delegated, and that
the rest are all reserved; that trial by ju-
ry, free speech, free press are to be held
inviolate; that military commissions, for
the trial oflciyilians, are absolutely pro-
hibited, /, for one, believe it to be my
highest duty to give him warm support
IF he will not GO so far, / will support
him where he is right, and as earnestly
condemn him where he is wrong. The
party which has not been diverted in the
midst of the terrors of the past four years
from its steady support of the rights Of
the States and the rights of, the people,
cannot be seduced by hopes of power, nor
driven by fear of consequences to aban-
don that positionnow. 1t demands moth
/, ing which is not prescribed in the Con
stitution; it will be satifed with nothing
| less; it will be unselfsh and earnest in it:
support; it will be determined and active
4 in its opposition; it rises above party
aims; it banishes party aspirations; it viii
| be true to him, whoever he may be, wht
will be true to the Constitution and tht
country.
II The questions now in controversy toucf
the very organization of the Fedora
Government. They revive the old theo
/ ries of confederation and consolidation
i They. are hidden under spurious and de
\ ceptive names Reconstruction, as ou
j opponents use the word, means not resto
ration of the Union, but Reconstruction
of the Constitution; change in the frame
work of the Governmentan every chang
proposed is in dimunition of the State
! and ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Federal Gov
ernment. Delay in reconstruotions mean
, that military governments are to be USE
!, to effect them. The tendency of war i
to consultations. We must resist it. /
will lead to despotism, local self-goyern
} ment, the rights of the States, confedera
5 ton, these are the only hope of liberty
j Our fathers saw this, and they formed
confederation. In few and simple words
3 they established the test of all questions
$ Gail powers not delegated are reserved.
e Let US bring all to this test. Let US solv
: them by it, and, as far as human wisdoI
can effect it, we escape all dangers: Sha
we change the test now? Shall we &c
0 stroy the States? Shall we impair the
: powers? Are we wiser, more patriotic
J more honest than our fathers? No. L,
us restore the Government as. they mad
: it. They gave us a blessing, let us b.
0 ware that we do not make it a curse.
The speech was warmly received, an
f ELECTED throughout marked attention.
S SOME months since, DR.: Buisson,
q