The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-10


seconded by Mr.. Oliphant and others, was IN
the same strain. When we published the first
account Of the Fenian organization, shortly
after Lees surrender, the London Times
copied 1t and laughed at 1t but now this very
ridiculous organization makes all England
now appear as weak as Fenianism once did, may
have the same effect upon France, Prussia,
Austria and Spain, by and by. We know that
the European Powers IRE leagued together to
put down republicanism, and that they have
large standing armies but simultaneous out
break will nullify oil their alliances, and, in
course of time, their soldiers may become dis
affected. Still, we are not discussing the ques-
ton of the ultimate success Of the Fenians or
of any other revolutionists. The point we make
is that the Fenians have already succeeded in
bringing John Bull to his knees and in making
him hesitate as to whether be had not better
take out his wallet and pay OF the Alabama
claims. Clearly, this Is something gained, and
we can well afford to wait for what Is TO come.
Tho Danger or Our Present Position.
Congress is uncertain. 6tits position, its duties,
its powers 1t is full OF Soactious, restless,
revolutionary spirit It see1B to have thrown
away the cid government-to have cut loose
from the constitution. Great wars necessarily
suspend the operation of law to certain ex-
tent and justify the use of extreme or doubtful
powers; but wise Legislature would lose no
opportunity to relinquish doubtful position
that it had assumed, for the public good. and
take once more its natural place in the circle
of government. Congress, Cd the contrary, Is
determined not to relinquish the position that
the war gave it. Its whole struggle Is to hold
that position, and to prevent, by every means,
a return to the harmonious, quiet, natural
operation Of the old system. Its revolutionary
disposition and purpose is most clearly seen in
its propositions to change the constitution Of
the country. Some thirty or forty amendments
are before it which, If adopted, would COM
pletely do away with the system under which
the United States have been so prosperous,
and would change our government In nearly
every feature Congress assumes that the con-
stitution il nullity. It ignores the constitu-
tional distribution Of powers 1t has taken the
position of the Supreme Court, to interpret the
constitution by party vote It has made Its
Central Directory-its infamous Committee of
Fifteen-an executive, to supersede the Presi-
dent 1t has threatened to impeach him also.
In all ways it assumes superiority to the law,
and Is not a Congress under the constitution,
but faction governing in defiance of that
instrument.
It is from this very point in their history that
free governments tumble into despotism. At
some weak hour when, for one cause or an
other, faction prevails and law is superseded,
and faction daily grows worse till political
chaos seems imminent, then some strong hand
seizes all, and an INSCRIPTIONS leader gains the
confidence Of the people by putting the fac
tons under his foot and little later, in virtue
of that very confidence, puts liberty in the same
place. This is the history Of a thousand repub-
lies taken from that very point In their career
at which we now stand in ours. The fall begins
when faction superscdes the government and
partisan passion takes the place Of law. This
was the history Of liberty in Rome, in France
and in England. Faction made Rome ready
for Caesar, faction in the long .pasliament pre-
pared the way for Cromwell, and faction in
France made Napoleon inevitable. It is the
same series Of facts in every case. II is law
Of national life, and we will not be exempt from
1t unless there is something in rs different from
all other nations. The people are the only
hope. They are certainly more intelligent and
more free, and their influence is more direct
than in other countries. Their intelligence,
their patriotism and their freedom is what we
must count upon for the hope that the factions
will be put down by power not inimIcal to
freedom, by the voice of the whole people and
not by an ambitious leader ready 10 become o
despot.
Proposxn IxcRr zoe or PAY YnR Tile PoI lev