The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-07-18

ptltutiouFy WIN iuo tHion ouAAs ~ LIS ui
hands, Andrew johnson stands, by the
helm, determined that while be lives the
good ship Constitution shall 10 safety
surmount tho storm, fcries Of ''good,o,
"good"] IA ,g ssi4F NJ to "a
| We, Of the Democratic party, stand by
this national pilot. rot because he, belongs
1 70 our party mot because we elected him,
but because he is right and will not you,
,0ho did elect him, stand by johnson and
4 the Union, for the same rsason /? 4 a.
Ineed not say to you that our Govern
ment is composed Of three branches--the
executive, legislative and judicial and
that no act can become law unless it re-
ceives the approval Of the President, or
is passed over his head byfa two-thirds
vote Of both Houses Of Congress. You
also know that the Constitution explicitly
declares that no resolution or vote which
require the concurrence Of both Houses,
except resolutions to adjourn, shall take
effect unless approved by tho President
or passed. Oy q iwo-thirds vote Of both
Houses over his veto. And yet tho jun
to AZ Washington, composed Of Represen-
tatiyes from twenty-five States, who have
usurped the rights and powers of thirty,
six, have passed resolutions, the object Of
which are to change the fundamental'law
Of the land, and have sent them to the
States without the approval Of the Presi-
dent, and in 6asrant violation Of the let
ter and spirit Of the Constitution N, 4
Then, Republican citizens, tits for you
to determine whether you prefer to stand
by Andrew johnson, the President of
your own choice, or whether you will
take sides with the conspirators, who aim
at the subversion Of your Liberties by the
destruction Of the Constitution. .,,,,
Now, my countrymsp, let me ask you
whether it is your desire that this Consti.
tution and Union Of ours shall continue
to exist as fora..d by onr fathers, or is it
your wish that our country shall be re.
duccd to the anarchy Of Mexico, or the
despotism Of Russia or Austria i?
1t is laid down as maxim by all great
political writer's, that there is but one Of
two methods Of dealing with rebellion.
The first may be called the Plutonic, and
the second the Christian plan. BY the
first policy, the entire race Of people who
ebeled-including men women and chill
dren-would be totally extorminated,
thereby forever preventing that people
from again giving trouble.
The oth,r policy is based upon the
idea that great convulsion never takes
place without corresponding cause, and
that when the cause is removed, that
quiet and order and individual and pub.
lie rights should be restored. And by
this means make friends Of those whe, Le-
fore were enemies. '
All writers sgree that there is no mid.
die ground, you must either be as cruel and
relentless as the most lerocious savage,
or. be as forgiving and generous as a
Christian; and any attempt at middle
policy is certain to lead 10 disastrous con.
sequences .'
After a war Of thirty years between
Samnium and Rome, we are told by Livy,
that the Roman Senate resolved to com
bine both consular armies aud put an end
to the war, But by an ingenious starta.
gem Of Pontius, the Samnite general, the
Roman armies were induced to pass the
Caudine Forks, and. became inextricably
involved between two defiles, while the
army Of the enemy surrounded them -
The Romans de6cd the Samnites to bat.
tie, but the latter knowing that their
enemy must surrender or perish from
starvation, declined thu combat. Pontiua
called a council of war, which was unable
to agree as to the true policy to be pur.
sued by common consent, the elder
Pontius, father oi the commanding gen.
eral, alike distinguished Tor wisdom as
for valor, was written to for bis advice
he being thought too old to visit the
camp. The old Statesman replied =
snake the Romans your friends. This
con only be done by generous policy |;
for they a.e as brave aud haug hty as our.
selves. Then, instead Of enemies, make
them our friends aud Samnium will be.
come dOub!y strong, for we will then not
only have our strength, but also the
strength Of Rome" But the Samuites
were unequal to an act Of magnamity-
they must, at least, have the pleasure Of
insulting the Romans. Old Herennius
Pontius was again consulted, aud this
time he was hauledeto the Sampite camp.
When told that the couacil had rejected
his advice, be raid: "Since, then, you
must learn to be- cruel. The Romans
must either be made our friends, or die.
fit is too difficult for you to be great by
being generous, then be wise by destroy
ing the enemy whom You refuse to make
them your friends, and although you will
render the name Of Samnium infamous
yet you will secure peacc for several gen.
erations, for Rome will be left without q
soldier >..,...,,-,,, !. !.
But the Samnites, incapable Of a great
and generous action, and shrinking from
the iDfan y Of q barbarous one, with the
instinct Of small natures, resorted to q
m ddle aud consequently to an erroneous
policy. The Roman army was only de-
paved Of its arms, but, syea to the con.
suls, the soldiers were stripped Of all their
clothing, save shirt, and thus degraded
were compelled to pass under the con-
queror's yoke. With shame upon their
brovs, but vengence in their hearts, the
consular armies, naked and disarmed, res
turned to Rome. What was the result I
All Roms-,he very women and the little
children, yet in their mothers arms, all
cried aloud for death or vepgcnce. And