The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1865-08-10
Communication.

EDITOR News: Nothing can be
ot more importance just now than a
proper conception Of what duties are re-.
qnired of every man who expects to be
come citizen of the United States. 1t
has been asserted that great political
changes in our POLITICAL system are ne.
cessarily to take place also, that very
great change in the theory of govern.
ment Is enjoined upon every one who
qualities himselfas. a citizen with all the
privileges which pertain to the elective
franchise. To support the assertion, ref
erence was made to the Amnesty Pro.
clamation Of May 10Th, 1866. An ex.
animation Of the document must lead
any candid mind to the same judgment.
There are three points in the procla.
nation which require attention. The
oath binds the man taking it faithfully
to support and defend the Constitution
of the United States" This is the first
point. Before the war every citizen of
every State believed lie was doing this,
although there was wide difference Of
opinion as TO the manner. Each sec
ton during the war believed it was sup.
porting and defending the Constitution,
and yet the two were diamctrically op.
posed in their efforts to do it. Each
claimed that instrument as its arb:ter in
the contest. Both adopted it as the
charter Of their liberties. Diplomacy
could not decide to which the preference
should be given. To the sword the ap.
peal was made. It's decision has been
against us, and now we are under the
necessity of supporting and defending
the Constitution OF the United States
faithfully, as its provisions are interpre.
ted at the North. The second point in.
wolves one OF the most vital intcrpreta.
tions. Not only has the res ored to de.
tend the Constitution, but also the "Un.
ion Of States Hereunder" and it is to
he henceforth. He is to ignore all ef.
forts TO produce schisr. again. He
becomes empha,ically an American citi.
zen in it's ,broad"st sense. Like Brit.
ish subject, rebellion will be his crime if
he attempts to separate part or parcel
from the public domain The Govern.
ment to hlm is consolidated power, and
IN the words Of the, Constitution itself,
the&Constitution, and the laws of the
United States, which shall be made in
pursuance thereof = e = shall he the
supreme law of The land" The phrase
''of the land" leaves him no room to
doubt, that. as far as the laws of Con.
gress are concerned, if State. resist
them forcibly, it violates the Supreme
law" than which there is no higher ap.
peal There cannot be two supreme
powers in the same government. The
Constitution andthe laws under it hold
the supremity, ''ahy thing" (as the Con.
stitntion says) 'iu the Constitution or
taws of any State to the contrary not.
w'ths'anding." Any Interpretation of
reserved rights, then, that would favor
liaroptlon Of The Union, is to be forever
discarded. Hence the theory of an nm.
hm"e1 sovereignty Of States 10 explod.
ed. Wrongs are to be adjusted 10 the
un'on. not out oft. How important
then that citizens should acquaint them
selves with measures and with men.
The ballot box alone is to decide issues.
The third point in the Proclamation
nerd not be enlarged upon. The oath
binds The citizen, sin like manner" that
is "honceforti,, " faithfully to support all
laws and proclamations in regard TO
emancipation. ~ ~ M. g