Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-12-22
The Constitution.

The eccentric VIZ. WELLER, ST., held what
he called ga AHey5i' to be a valid and COM
plete defence against every form of legal pro-
cecdings, whether criminal or civil. By means
OF this mysterious " Allcybi," had his advice
been taken, Mr.. PICEwIcK would at once have
been relieved from all the annoyances that
were OccaSioned him by the case of % BURDELL
as PIcKwIcK,' as also the prosecutions of the
rascally legal firm of g DoDsoN and FoGG."
Not more faith did the venerable and retired
coachman have in this mode Of defence, than
is manifested by the members of the two
Houses of Congress in the efficacy of amend
ments to the Constitution, as afording protec-
tiOn to the Southern negroes, restraining ami
regulating the southern whites, ~ ~
foundation for such policy of southern re-
construction as will yield all the fruits of radi-
cal righteousness, philanthropy and optimism.
The ordinary forms Of legislation are no longer
in vogue. Bills, resolutions and acts are
treated with contempt. Laws appear to have
sunk into inSignideance. Amendments to the
Constitution, like SWANS panacea, are RENE
dies for every evil. Scarcely day has passed
since the meeting of Congress that has not
witnessed the introduction Of propositions Of
this character into both Houses-on some days,
indeed, there have been many as three or
four. 1t is said that the animal that has once
tasted the blood OF man can never content him
self with less noble banquet. The taste of
the blood Of the Constitution in the adop-
ton of the constitutional amendment abolishing
and forever prohibiting slavery in the United
States, seems TO have acted in the same way
upon many of the politicians connected with
the party in power. Americans, in times past,
held their Constitution in kind of Interpretations
reverence. They felt towards il as the ancient
Israelites felt towards that apartment of their
Temple, which received the name Of "The
Holy of Holes" 1t was not TO DC prOfanedby
the footsteps Of the people, but was only to be
trodden by cOnSecrated feet. This reverence
of the people for the Constitution has been the
means of preserving it, in all its essential
features, as it was fashioned by our wise and
virtuous forefathers. For seyenty-eight years
il has so stood. The nation was characterized
by sense OF honor and Of public obligation.
The ordinary forms Of legislation were con-
sidered sufficiently binding, without a constant
resort to the higher and extraordinary FORMS
Has this nation lost its former sense of honor
and obligation Has it become so demoralized
as no longer to respect the ordinary forms OF
law Can it be trusted to respect and obey
nothing but what is compreheuded in the
Il. &C. IL, t,To all
covenants constitution II it has reached
that point of Generalization, then is it border
ing upon that condition in which the moral
sense is obliterated, and no obligations, how
ever sacred, will DC able to bind it.
When the people are taught by their political
leaders that there are no guarantees to be
trusted but those incorporated in the Constitu-
lion. they will soon deSpiSe ordinary laws
When they throw down this first barrier, the
second and last barrier will not be long il
Welding to the pressure that will be brought
10 bear upon il. When the first is broken down
and despised, the lastwill not long be regarded
as sacred.
The proverb teaches Us that familiarity
breeds contempt. The church that we enter
Mt all hours of the day and night, and that we
use for the common purposes Of human habi-
tation, soon loses its character for Sanctity
The great ones Of the earth become as ordinary
mortals when they throw OF their reserve
emerge from their privacy, and miugle famili-
arlv and unceremoniously among men.
Make the Constitution a common resort, &c
cesslble to the herd by hundred hog-paths
and. like the swine spoken in the Scriptures
this herd will turn and rend it.
Let us give some heed to the Fathers Of III,
Republic. Let US retain some Of their eonSery
atism. We are too prone in this, the prim,
and flush Of what is ambitiously called 4
.. new era, - to depart from their example an'
teachings. Our success is due to their wisdom
and. as we begin to realize this success, VT
forget them and their simple ways, and, putle'
with arrogance, claim for ourselves the credi
that il dine to them. We throw down the barrl
srs thew so carefully erected we OyerleaP the
limits they so wisely assigned to US. Be
fore this impatient, rash and unregulateC
spirit of progress, all the ancient and venerable
landmarks are fast disappearing The very
Constitution itself, designed as sanctuary