The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-08
HEDGEsvILLE, W. VA,
March Bird, 1866.


district for the noble and manly efforts
which they displayed few months ago,
in attempting to arrest the hurricane of
lanatieism, which in its head-]onr
speed, was sweeping everything before
il, onward to that terrible chasm which
would have engulfed all of those blood
bought principles, which we have treas
ured up with such holy reverence for so
many years. The great struggle be-
tween ia icalism and conservatism
which upon limitod theatre, excited
and intlamed the passions ofthe citizens
of this district in October last, was not
ordained to rest in this secluded portion
Of our great Republic, but was to be car
RED by the passions Of Il few bad men to
the great central arena of political strife,
and involve the President and Congress
in controversy, which may result in
most important consequences to our
country. The aisanionists Of the North
have brought on an issue between the
President and themselves, headed by
such leaf ers rs Sumner, the enthusiast
of the Senate, and Stevens, the visiona
~ Of the House. But in selecting An
drew johnson as their antagonist, they
hav chosen an adversary whose foun-
dation is the people, and whose support
is the Constitution. When the impartial
and judicial pen of history shall inscribe
upon its pages the actors in this political
struggle, their characters will be adj
judged odious, their actions abhorrent
to thosesound principles of liberty which
constitute Republic. The supporters
of the Star Chamber in England will
not be held more Infamous, than will
those who originated the Star Chamber
Committee policy in our own beloved
land of liberty and justice, which con-
signs every thing bearing upon recon-
struction to the secrecy of their chamber
without discussion, and prevents debate
in its reported measures, even for such
grave and weighty matters as constitu-
tionaI amendments by calling FOR the
previous question.
essayed for months past, by his calm
forbearance and patience, and by his
tirmness and fidelity to the Constitution,
to quiet the turbulent, and if possible to
reason with these fanatics, but no!
they rushed upon him again and again
with more bitterness, more hatred, un-
til ikea lion at bay, he bids them defiance
having crushed their ncfarious schemes
BY the power Of the veto. And the re-
veYherating sounds which rent the skies
sent Up by that band Of bowling wolves,
was slitlieientto have caused the bravest
OF the brave TO tremble. But Andrew
johnson knew his opponents, he knew
| his duty to the Constitution, and he
determined to stand by It. He knew
that the cry had been torn from their
lacerated souls by the conscious agony
OF defeat. Their reign IS over, they
cease to control the destinies ofthis great
republic. The powerful Judgment aud
mistaken nerve of the President has
triumphe1l. He has thrown himself
upon the aW-abiding masses OF the peo-
pie. lie leans for support upon the bal-
wark Of our personal liherty-the Con
stitution. VIII not those who in the
late bloody struggle fought and bed Tor
the preservation Of this Union, now hail
Andrew Johnson as their leader, when
he stands before them as the representa-
tive of the people, bearing in one hand
the Constitution, and in the other our
national banner of liberty: You owe
to him your cordial support; he is at
tempting to complete in the Cabinet
that which you began on the battle
iield-and which you, after subduing
the armies Of the South, turned over to
your President the duty OF cementlng
the divided whole. And see him, like
a skillful pilot, steering the ship OF
State through those Kissing and boiling
waves of passion onward to the calm
and tranquil haven ofpeacc.
Will you desert the weather-beaten
shin and its faithful pilot" No! stand
H.. 1:I,c k~n,,n o., ;1nrc %ho+ r 70