Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-02-06
THE SITUATION.


ing critical even in the opinion of the Presi-
dent himself. The most hopeful begin to des-
pair OF the Republic, in the face of the fear
tul revolution with which the government is
now threatened ut the hands of the Jacobin
Congress. The hot breath Of the Simeon that
sweeps over the sultry wastes of Arabia, is not
more fatal to human life than the wild storm
OF tanatlclsm that bowls through the halls of
federal legislation. is subversive of all the
principles OF constitutional liberty, and de-
structlvr OF all prospects of permanent peace
The remarks OF the President on Sunday last
! to Il lending Senators are reported in double
loaded leader under the editorial head Of the
! National Intehiyencer, as indicating their
great Importance and significance The Pre-
sldent evidently sees anarchy und an extermi-
mating war OF races in the present tendency of
federal legislation, and it is his anxious desire
to avert such catastrOphy if possible. '.He
expressed he opinion that the agitation of
the negro franchise question in the Dis
I" trict OF Columbia ut this time was the mere
"entering wedge to the agitation of the Gucs
ton throughout tile States, and was ill-timed
uncalied-tOr, aud calculated to do great
HARM lie believed that it would enyender
enmlty, contention and strife between the
two races. and lead to 4 war between them,
which would result in great injury to both
population. Precedence, he thought should
be given to more impOrtantand urgent mat
tors, legislation upon which was essential
for the restoration of the Union, the rcace
OF the country, and the prosperity Of the
people"
The Pres;deBt is entirely correct Negro
suffrage in the District, is simply the enter
in" wedge to negro suffrage IN the States. as
we have repeatedly remarked, and the result
OF 10Th will inevitably be Il war of races, which
will eventuate in the determination of the
blacks, after scenes of blood and carnage that
make the bravcst and hardest turn pale. Such
| have been the result Of unlimited equality in
| the British and French islands. and such will
! be the case when the fearful experiment is
| tried on this continent
/ he President is equally opposed tc the
| "propricty at this time of making further
! " amendments to the Constitution. One ureat
amendment had already been made.
by which slavery had been abolished with
| - Ill the limits Of the United States. and
national guarantee that the institution sheuld
I" never exist i'll the land. Propositions to
amend the Constitution were BECOMING rs
! " numerous as preamb!es and resolutions Mt
town meetings, called to consider the orli
nary Questions connected with the admins
" trati0n of local affairs All this. in his onin-
! AS''; H''H =" 'SHNShSJ W uI!niHlSu Tile dignity
and prestige attached to the Constitution Of
the country, aud to lessen the respect and
confidence OF the people i'll their great chars
! ter OF freedom. Ii, however, amendments
are to bc made to the Constitution chang
ing the basis OF representation and taxation.
(and he did not deem them at all necessary
y at the present time he knew Of none bet
ter than simple proposition, embraced in
. i few lines, making in each State the nuns
" Der OF qualified voters the basis OF rcpresen-
t"''on. and the value Of property the basis
% Of taxatiUn."'
Double significance attaches to this language
OF the President, for while he dcprecates any
amendments to the con stitution at This time
as tending to destroy all respect and venera-
ton for that Instrument, be evidently fears
that the radical sentiment Of Congress will
Override his objections and force these amend
mcnt5 upon the country. Thus tenriur his
ability tVarrcst these extreme measures Of in
nOvatiOH. the Pres dent suggests that if s:S,ch
amendments are to be made" they should be
put III the simple form Indicated bv HIM
| self
In the language Of the philosophical Mac
abec, something may yet turn up" to change
the present tendency Of events; but if the
present signs OF the times toreshadOw any re-
suits at all, those results are Il complete over
/ IL, A.
nent disruption Of the Union, a bloody war
OF races, anarchy and confusion, with ultimate
military despotlsm The Freedmcn's Bureau
alone, as enlarged by the bill that has inst
passed the Senate, will utterly subvert OUT
whole theory of Federal and State govern
ments, entail incalcuable Indebtedness upon
the country, make the negrocs worthless as
lnboriEs class by pensioning them upon the
bUunties Of the government, and make the
beautiful fields Of the South intoleruble to
white men. And if the present Radical pro-
grammc is carried out nay more. if Drcce-
dencc is not sooner given to other subjects
more important than the negro, universal
! bankruptcy and repu iiation Of the national
! debt, will come upon Us before midsummer.
Neither the credit nor the industry of the
country, nor the patience OF the people. can
MUCH longer withstand the fearful hazards TO
Which they are now exposed -LyucAJury