The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1865-05-25
The Political E:.t1rc.

Now that the w?r Is ended ana the
country about to settle down again lii the
pursuits incident to state of fcace, 1t IS
we'll for us as people TO look forward to
the probable aspect of political affairs.
Some Oft old issues that have divided
the people into political part es. have been
practically settled BY the var, and others
of no less magnitude have been developed
and will demand the attention Of the
American people. Slavery is abolished.
The National Bank question has been IL :
directly revived, and the system fastened
upon the people for at least some time to
come, while the tariff question has assumed
a shape that Will of necessity almost ignore
discussion for the next quarter of cen
turv However much We may deprceate
the present condition of these important
questions, and the means that have been
used to place them in their present condl-
ton, we do no. now deem it necessary to
spend cur strength in a fruitless opposition
to them. There are other things OF more
immediate Importance which demand tie
calm, serious and thoughtful consideration
of the people They should at the earli-
est moment demand return Of their
rulers to the established forms and usages
of civil law, and insist on its supremacy
over the military dicta Of those who, du-
ring the war, felt justified N setting aside
civil law and substituting in its stead the
findings of military commissions, aud the
proclamations of military conimandants.-
lie, them demand speedy return to the
ancient landmarks and strict adherence
to the constitution and the laws for in no
other way can our liberties DC preserved
and perpetuatcd.
The question of negro suffrage will also
he permanent feature in future political
combinations, and the people will be COM
pelled to choos.. one side or the other
The proper distribution Of the burdens OF
government will also claim attention; and
the people of TIE great ives: should sec to
it that they are not compelled by the sharp
practice of New England politicians, to
bear an undue share Of the enormous load
necessary to be borne tor the time to
come. The credit Of the government
must be maintained, but there is no good
reason why the people Of one portion of
the country should become hewers of wood
end drawers of water. while those of an
other are permitted to GO comparatively
free from taxation. We have no desire
to paw tribute TO Yankee ehrewdness III
the adjustment Of the pecunlary burdens
of the government.
The question of reconstruction of the
stale governments, and their relations tC
the federal government, is the one, thai
nJw Of all others, is most important, anC
is receiving the attention of the authori
ties at Washington; while the people are
DF no means IGic spectators Vi pdSSii :
events This question properly settled
we may reasonably hope for a gradual re
turn to prosperity and permanent peace
We have neither time nor space to dis
cuss these questions in detail now. 1t i.
sufficient to say that their solution is b.
no means difficult if We adhere &c thu
landmarks of democracy, and observe tn
principles which lie at the foundation o.
Nil republican institutions Let thes
questions. as they come up, be tested b,
1his standard and there will be no nccessi
~ for hesitation as to what is the prope
course to be pursued re alive to them.