The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-03-29
For the Standard.

IOf gOOu OF evil, results through us ADMINS
trative workings. This being apparent, it
is not unwise to conclude that its functional
and legislative bodies are the sources from
which springs that influence which most di-
rectly operates to advance or retard the we'll
being gifts entire body polite This impress
sion seem to have marked in no small degree
the deliberations of our fathers when consum-
mating the great work of forming IL more
perfect Union of the American States, as
may be seen in the words g Eternal pigi-
lence is the price Of liberty" We learn
from the honest statesman that the true
policy of republican government, is never
to institute policy of discriminate legisla-
ton, but that the interests of all as we'll rs
conditions Of its constituency should be de-
Hberately and wisely consulted, and that a
sameness of interest and feeling should per-
wade every act of its legislation-tlat the
contrary course creates distrust and leads to
q camor for reform. The late revolution was
provoked under an assumption of principle,
based as [ conceive, upon the position above
taken, and was waged with the avowed pur-
pose of securing what its friends conceived
was agrieyed rights, not actual hit Prcs9ec-
tice. The doctrine of statcs-rights as solved
by the Calhoun school, constituted the
grounds of dispute.
This solution Of the subject had, however
remained as a mere theme in contradistinc-
ton to the views of all the great statesmen
of the country something over a quarter of
a century The shape it finally took to dis
solve the Union of States had no precedent
constitutional grounds in this or any other
country, although Mr.. Calhoun found, as he
in his enthusiasm conceived, precedentS I'M
der the tribunition and Isreali .ish govern
ments. Both of which were dissimilar to the
grounds assumed in this country, and could
not at any period of our country's history
afford any cause of justification to those who
broke asunder the ties Of our glorious union
of contederated States. So far from it, Mr.
Madison had in the early days Of the repub-
lie set his seal upon such Il doctrine, and
was followed in confirmation by all of his
c0mpatrots, and since by Webster, Everett
Clay, Jackson, Wright and Others equally as
illustrious for their craftsmanship in their
Interpretation Of the Virginia and Kentucky
resolutions.
Sufficient was such an array Of testimony
to satisfy the minds Of all lovers OF the
Union. that no individual State had any
rights founded in the Constitution to with
draw or secede from the general compact at
will
The late struggle has, however, settled
that form of che question to the full satis-
faction it might seem to the friends of Mr.
CalhOun'S doctrine and put quictus to it
for all time to come on the American CONT
net. But yet there seems to be restless
spirits. and while it is not be supposed
that perfect calm could be so soon made,
it is well that the government should be
vigilant and hold them in IA state of abey-
ance on probation, at least until the country
is fully restored, and all the terms they ac-
cepted are fully acquicSced in. The GOV
eminent should continue its restorative OPP
erations only through the truly and known
to be loyal men Of the several lately insur-
gent States. While this is an imperative
necessity, it does not argue that the States
have no rights. This none will deny, nor
that such rights are guaranteed to them by
the Constitution, nor that they will not
receive those rights Just so soon as they
show an unmistakable character for loyalty,
Andrew johnson stands up before the coun-
try as the advocate of such rights as guar
anteed by the Constitution. and is laboring
with all the powers of his great mind to
convince his opposcrs of this simple Ameri-
can democratic truth, so that the insurgent
States may, when they shall present a sound
loyalty towards the government, they
may take their places again as of old and
become co-worilcrs in the ground scheme of
cementing and strengthening the bonds of
American Union. The losses sustained then
by the people of those States must be
considered Is contingent Attachments, under
the comprehensive idea that in consti-
tutiOns become flexible as well rs principles
and bend as cXpediency demands. but III
peace both become infiexi!,e and that law
and right take the place of expediency.
Taking this view Of the great questions
Of change, necessarily growing out of the
results Of our altered condition. the peo-
pie, and especially those who helped most to
effect this state of things, should become
satisfied with the condition rs having been
accepted, and as they gradually merge into
f:aternal relations with alacrity meet those
they opposed. The opposers to the Presi-
dents plan OF restoring: harmony should lay
down the weapons Of warfare upon the
Constitution Is it is-abandOn the policy of
consolidation-and let an influence spread
from this functional and Legislative branches
of purely national democratic kind, for
the healing OF the pcoplc-for the covering
of scars and wounds, and of cffacing the
mutilated and waste places OF the whole
continent With such a Wholesome balm
OF equal rights equal burdens. equal legis-
Ialion by the loyal, leaving the States to
dispose Of the elective franchise, the re-
suits would. perhaps, tend to bcget Il better
feeling with such as invariably hate the
too many are bolstcrirg up with the spirit
of defiance. These restless spirits, who
cant through the Southern prcss-who
swell to the dimensions of rhodomontadc, !
and boast that they have only been over
powered and live in hopes of rupture sooner
Or later between the United States and
some other power. All such is well calcu-
lated to excite suspicion in the government
that all is not loyal who declare it even
through many of the Southern journals
The government ought to have been restored |
and would long since, but for such restless
spirits.
Let the loyal put their mark upon them |
in and out of position; hurl them from po-
sition, and a perfect Union Of the States !
will very soon take place. The truly loyal |
must complete the work Of restoration, or
else fears will be constantly felt. 1t is for the
masses Of loyal men in North Carolina to
dispose of these restless spirits, in order to
this speedy return to this national relation, |
and the earlier the work begins the earlier
will it be completed.
HIGH POINT.