The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-10-17

tending Tor popular liberty, while Con-
gress, unlike the Parliament, were seeking
to establish prerogative hostile to public
freedom. How far this state of things was
justified by the party majority in that body
Gun only be judged Of by the fact that the
party,there continued practically unbroken
that extreme measures. merely in the inte-
rests Of party, were pressed to action by
party discipline and thar, at the adjourn
ment, that party majority and The President
we're in open conflict. The relations be-
tween the President and the conspicuous
leaders Of the radicals were, indeed, those
of undisguised personal hostility. In or,
binary times disagreement, however wide
between the executive and the legislative
would be Of, perhaps. only temporary con
sequence. A difference upon ordinary to-
pics of legislation might soon be reconciIed
by reflection and conference or, If not, any
mischiefs likely to result from the improvi-
dent action Of one Congress might be cured
by the wiser consideration of another. But,
in the present case, except for the interpo-
sition Of the people, the evils 10 ensue,
should the factious Congress prevail, could
but last until remedied by violence !; aud the
points at issue between the President aad
the party majority Of the legislative body
are those which affect the very existence Of
the republic.
For the question now at stake is, wheth.
er the Constitution itself shall survive
whether the States Of the Union shall main
tain their essential and vital righ,s-whe,h-
er the Union shall continue substantially as
IL was founded by our fOrelathers or CEN
tral. consolidated system of government
shall be constituted, 10 lieu Of our former
free condition.? For once permit 10 be
broken down those barriers against usur-
patton, which il was their wise and hope.
iul endeavor to plant so firmly for the safe
guard OF all future generations, and We shall
10 that deed, have yielded utterly the claim
aud the power Of self government. The
radical leader who would then have attain
ed the Presidency would be as powerful as
the Car, without any Of those hereditary
sympathes, associations aud habitudes,
which, IN the course OF centuries, have
made the government of Russia pattern, !.
as well as absolute. He might, perhaps,
as form, appeal. from time to time, TO the
popular vote for the renewal of his term.
But tyranny does not admit of alteration
OF persons; and 10 maintain his power, he
would be as jealous in suspicion, and as re-
morseless in act, as any of the monsters who
succeeded the two first Caesars.
We do not imagine that in this age, and
among this people, such a state Of things
could last very long. But the idea OF il at
all, is not pleasant 20 contemplate. Yet,
that. even in free republic, under the plea
Of state necessity, the grossest outrages
against personal liberty, if not of life itself,
may be perpetrated. recent examples E.
nough are at hand and we may readily in
fer 10 what excesses radical in posses.
sion OF power and compelled to yield. or to
maintain himself by force, would be likely
to resort.
II need scarcely be remarked that the
attitude Of the Radical party now j. tile ex.
act counterpart Of that OF the rebel States
during the war. They have not yet taken
up arms ; but who does not see that they are
preparing fnr that esents L. the people of
those States reyol,ed with the intent 10 dis
solve the Union, the Radical party, accord
ins to the undlsguised ihredtenings of its
leaders, is on the eve Of revolt, Il it can
not prevent the restoration of tie Union.
The people OF the South, broken If not hum
bled by disaster. are anxious for Union.
The Northern Radicals. exulting in vic.
tory much mpre due to Northern Demo
Gratis, who fought for the Union, than to
themselves, who resist Union. Are not
those who. oppose Union positive rebels in
heart and in purpose
L there any other rational test TO apply
to their conduct. in order to make manifest
their true characters No, the avowaIs OF
the Radical denagoguesare too uniisguised
III admit of any misapprehension as u their
objects, The wonder is that any body Of
men, Of fair reputstiOn, shoad be willing 10