The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-12-13

refragibly demonstrate the fallacy
of the arguments against free in
stitutions drawn from our recent
National disorders by the enemies
of republican government The
admission of loyal members from
the States now excluded from Con,
gress, by allaying doubt and ap-
prehensiOn, would turn capital, now
awaiting an opportunity for invest
ment, into the channels of trade
and industry. 1t would alleviate
the present troubled condition OF
those States, and, by inducing emf
grafton, aid in the settlement OF
fertile regions now uncultivated,
and lead to an increased produc-
ton of those staples which have
added so greatly to the wealth of
the nation and the commerce of
the world. New fields of enter
prise would be opened to our pro-
gressiye people, and soon the de-
vastatiOns of war would be repair
ed, and all traces of our domestic
differences effaced from the minds
of our countrymen. .1.3J
In our efforts to preserve Yhe,
unity of Che government which
constitutes us one people," by res
toring the States to the condition
which they held prior to the rebel
lion, we should be cautious, lest,
having rescued our Nation from
perils of threatened disintegration,
we resort to consolidation, and in
the end absolute despotism, as a
remedy for the recurrence of SINH
lar troubles. The war having ter
minated, and with it all occasion
for the exercise Of powers of doubt
full constitutionality, we should
hasten to bring legislation within
the boundaries prescribed by the
Constitution, and to return to the
ancient landmarks established by
our fathers for the guidance of sue
ceeding generations. "The Con-
stitution which at any time exists,
until changed by an explicit and
authentic act of the whole people,
is sacredly obligatory upon alp
of, in the opinion of the people,
the distribution or modification of
the Constitutional powers be, in
any particular wrong, let 1t he cor
rected by an amendment in the
way in which the Constitution des-
ignates. But let there be no
change by usurpation )" for "it is
the customary weapon by which
free Governments are destroyed"
Washington spoke these words to
his countrymen, when, followed by
their love and gratitude, he volun-
tarily retired from the cares of pub
lie life. %To keep in all things
within the pale Of our Constitu-
tional powers, and cherish the Fed
eral Union as the only rock of
safety" were prescribed by JelIer-
son as rules OF action to endear to
his "countrymen the true princi-
pies of their Constitution, and pro-
mote a union of sentiment and ac-
ton eq qually auspicious to their
happiness and safety"
Jackson held thatthe action of the
General Government should always
be strictly confined to the sphere
of its appropriate duties, and Justly
and forcihly urged that our Gov
ernment is not to be maintained,
nor our Union preserved, "by in
vasions of the rights and powers of
the several States. In thus at
tempting to make our General
Government strong, we made it
weak. Its true strength consists
in leaving individuals and States
as much as possible to themselves;
in making itself felt, not in its pow
er, but in its benefcence; not in
its control, but in its protection
not in binding the States more
closely to the center, but leaving
each to move unobstructed in ITS
proper Constitutional orbit" These
are the teachings Of men whose
deeds and services have made
them illustrious, and who, long
since withdrawn from the scenes of
life, have left to their country the .
rich legacy OF their example, their
wisdom, and their potriotism.-I
Drawing fresh inspiration from
their lessons, let us emulate them
in love-of country and respect for
the Constitution and the laws
The report of the Secretary of
the Treasury affords much informa-
tion respecting the revenue and
commerce of the country. His
views upon the currency, and with
reference TO a Dronpr adiustnoant