Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-09-01

on those points desire to give him cordial
and hearty approval
The first desire OF every patriot nov is the
paoiheation Of the country, the return TO the
ways and duties and properties Of peace
aud this can most speedily and only be ac-
complished by securing to the people Of the
South selfgovernment in their States, and
their appropriate influence in the Govern
ment OF the Union. The Constitution will
do this IL need ouly be observed Its pro.
visions are all sufficient 1t needs no amend
ment. Wise men made it; good men admin
iateted It for seventy years, peace and pros
perity attended it. Il will bring again union
and freedom and prosperity. II secures the
rights OF the States at home 1t secures the
Just rights Of the Federal Government 1t
secures the liberty of the citizen. If the
President Will fairly administer it; il he will
make an honest effort to apply it's provisions;
II be will remember that the powers OF the
Federal Government are all delegated, and
that the rest al all reserved that trial by jury
free speech, free press, are TO be held lnviO-
late; that military commissions for the trial Of
civilians, are absolutely prohibited, l for one,
believe it to be my highest duty to give him a
warm support Ifha will not 20 80 far, l will
support him where he is right and as earn
estly 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 the hopes of power, nor driven by
fear Of consequences to abandon that position
now. II demands nothing which is not pre-
scribed in the Constitution; it will be satisfied
with nothing less it will be unse6sh and
earnest in its support, it will be determined
and active in its opposition; it rises above
party aims; it banishes party aspirations; il
will be true to him, whoever he may be, who
will be true to the Constitution and the coun
try.
The questions now in controversy touch the
very organization Of the Federal Govern
ment. They revive the old theories Of con
federation and consolidation, They are hid
den under spurious and deceptive names =
Reconstruction, as our opponents use th,
word, means not restoration of the Union
but reconstruction of the constitution; chang
in the framework of the Government, ant
every change proposed is in diminulon o
, the States, and sggrandizement of the Fed
E eral Government Delay in reconstruction
means that military Governments are to b.
} used to effect them. The tendency of war i
, TO consolidation We must resist 1t. 1t vii
, lead to despotism. Local selfgoyernmeut
3 the rights of the States, confederation, thes
= are the only hope Of liberty. Our fathers sa,
9 this, and they formed a confederation. i
Q few and simple words, they established tn
3 test of all questions-"All powers not dele
4 gated are reserved" Let US bring all to thi
1 test, Let us solve them by it, and as far a
, human wisdom can effect it we escape a
q dangers. Shall we change that test now?-
8 Shall we destroy the States2 Shall we impai
Q their powers2 Are we wiser, more patriotic
: more honest, than our fathers2 No. Let U
< restore the Government as they made it,
e They gave US blessing; let us beware ths
;, we do not make it curse.