Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-10
TIE PEOPLE MUST ACT.

Under the theory of the Government Of
which the Constitution is the supreme law,
the legislative department consisting Of the
two Houses Of Congress, is intended to be that
one Of the three--the Executive, legislative,
and iudieial-most directly in relationship
and sympathy with the people. The men,
bers Of its most numerous branch are chosen
by the people in their primary capacity as
electors, and by theory widely held, those
of its less popular branch are regarded as
subject to instruction by the people through
their respective State Legislatures. 1t is
that department Of the Government supposed
to be most thoroughly conversant with the
opinions Of the people, and most decidedly
within their control and influence, and
that one to whom they can look with
most confidence for protection against
the encroachments Of power. Bold and bad
wielders of Executive authority, encouraged
and sustained by base and subservient
judiciary, have heretofore been the destroy
ers Of free governments and the oppressors
Of the people Within the last two or three
centuries, even the peoples of governments
not prcfessedly Republican, have looked to
the legislative department as their salvation
from the schemes of ambitious leaders and
monopolists Of power. II was for this reason
that the States General of France was as
sembled, and its action hailed, in the hope
that the unbridled license of the King, the
nobility, and the clergy might be curbed,
and some remnant Of liberty left to the
people.
But what do we see in this boosted free
Republic to-day? What is the condition
Of things in this, by theory, and if rightly
administered, in fact, "be'a government on
earth ?" Every man of intelligence must
perceive that the normal condition Of things
is reversed. We have President-the re-
pository Of the chief executive authority of
oyernment-standingw the Constitution
Of his country containing the written guar
aptees Of the peoples rights unrolled in his
hand, and exerting every energy Of his off
cial authority and personal influence to have
it maintained and respected, and appealing
alike to the people themselves and their le-
gislative deputies in Congress to observe its
provisions, and solemnly asserting that it
is only by firm and faithful adherence to it
that free government can be preserved. We
have judiciary engaged in determining the
Justice Of test oaths and unauthorized COM
missions for the trial of citizens, and en-
deavoring to administer the law in the spirit
OF the Constitution. But we have also
Congress, in both branches of which a ma
jority seem to have wilfully shut their eyes
10 the instrument under which they are con-
vened, and are rackihg their in
ventions in search Of schemes for depriving
the people of their most cherished rights,
and of destroying the seminal principles Of
liberty body whose proper functions in
our political system is to guard the interests
of the people, and watch against the absorb
ton of power in n central head, itself assum-
ing dictatorial authority, aud resenting the
Of the President against such
a course as usurpation body which looks
to the precedents of military conquerors as
the precepts of its action, and consults the
vindictive spirit Of fanaticism for guidance
in the exercise Of the high duties which the
circumstances devolve on it; body which
under the influence Of bad passions has
allowed itselfto get so FAR wrong that none
but INSCRIPTIONS partizans and their dupes
are yielding il support, but yet having in
It's hands the power 10 do all the mischief
its wicked leaders may project.
Such is the spectacle presented to-day; and |
unless the people Of the United States come
TO the support of the Executive, |
against whose efforts to restore the Govern
ment and reafIirm the principles of the Con-
this Jaeobin central directory at
Washington is exerting all its power, the |
worst results are to apprehended. The whole |
question rests with them. The Congressional |
are audacious, but they are not yet |
reckless enough to throw themselves against
the shield and buekler of the popular will.
When they hear the voice of the people in
support OF their great tribune-now the con-
Executive,-they will yield to it.
He has spoken to them, and already they
stand rebuked. Let the people speak and
they will abandon the struggle and permit
he restoration of the Government and the
rule of just and equal laws