The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1866-11-07
The Constitutional Amendment-Le
from 0. H. Browning,

1
from O.. H. Browning.
| The National Intclhgencer of yester.
day contains letter of Hon. 0. H.
Browning, of which it says, editorial
! ly:
| eve call attention to the letter from
the Hon. 0. II. Browning addressed to
a committee at Quincy, Illinois, in reply
to an limitation to address his friends
and neighbors on the political issues o
the day. 1t is q calm and powerful ar.
gumcnt against tho Constitutional
amendment, and triumphant vindica.
ton OF the restoration policy Of Presi
donts Lincoln and Johnson. The Rad
icaI press has filled the air with rumors
that the President intends to abandon
the Constitution, because majority OF
Congress has abandoncd,it. This letter
IS tho voice Of one Of his most trusted
advisers, assuring tho country of the
firm and immutable purpose of the Pres.
ident, as the executive head of tho ma.
ton, to maintain and preserve the Con-
stltution as it is.'
We have tried the old constitution
and know its capabilities. We have not
tried the new, as proposed, but can rcadi.
ly sec the confusion and disaster which
it would bring. We had better let we'll
enough alone. But, if we should change
it at all, we should not change it now.
The public temper was never less aus
picinus to calm, conscientious, wise
consideration Of the great questions of
State. Passion and prejudice should
never lay rude hands upon fundamental
and organic laws. In day thoy may
do mischief which years of repentant
patriot labor will not repair. In duy
they may open Pundora's box which
| the patriotism and statesmanship of a
century may not be able to shut.
| do not regard the recent and pend
irg elections as Indicative of the inds.
mcnt Of the people Of the NoIthern
States upon the Constitutional amend.
mcnts. They are really not the issues
presented to and considered by the peo.
ple. They have not been calmly and
dispassionately discussed and reflected
upon. The people haye had their fears
adorned and their prcjudces and pas
sions aroused, and perhaps never voted
under more dclusivo ideas as to. the
character Of the issues before the coun
try.
From the letter itself we take the fol
lowing brief extracts. OF the proposed
constitutional amendment, Mr.. Brown.
ing writes:
can see no good to result from the
proposed amendment. see much evil
We had better adhere to the form of
government our fathers gave Us. 1t is,
in my Judgment, the most perfect polti-
cal production of human wisdom and
patriotism. For three quarters of a
century it secured US unexauiplcd pros.
perty and happiness, and at the end of
that time enabled us to meet and over.
come the most stupendous rebellion in
the history Of nations Why change it2
For scventy-fve years we have hardly
known that we had a Government.
When we did know it we knew il only
by its beneGcence. And it has shown
itself as strong, as enc6cient-capable
Of successful resistance to the fercest
and mos1 desperate assaults that it ia
possible to make upon government.
Why change it just as it has vindicated
its power and glory, and lifted us to an
Iemincnce among the nations OF the
earth we never till row attaited7
Our country is IN peril in a very
great peril-not from public enemy,
but from the violence of our own pas
sions. Safety is to be found ouly in a
strict adherahco to the Constitution and
Jaws. AS long as they are obeyed no
evil can come upon us. We are in
danger only when we attempt something
they do not sanction. I trust it will be
tho pride and glory of the friends Of the
administration, in 1.-THE threatening con-
tests through which VIC are passing, to
keep their passions in subjection to reas-
on, Constitution and laws. Ours is a
republican Government, where the ma
jority has right to rule. Minorities
cannot, without subverting the Govern
mcnt. And when, according to the
forms prescribed, the will of the majority
is expressed in tho Constitution or the
law, it is the duty Of alto submit to it,
until it can be fairly and unconstitution.
ally changed. Such I know to be- the
Presidents intentions, and suck I know
he wishes to 10 the rule Of conduct for
his friends and supporters. No man
has q profounder reverence for the Con-
stitution than he, and his purpose as the
Executive of the nation to maintain and
preserve it as it is Until it be changed
in the form prescribed by it, 'is finn and
immutable. Ho is not brave enough
wilfully to violate it. He is brave
enough to uphold and defend it in all
that his duty requires.
| ---~s
| PArER MrLLs.--In tho United States
thcro are 750 paper mills in active operation.
They produce 10000, 900 pounds Of paper,
which, at an average Of ten cents per pound,
would be worth $87 900. 900. AS IL requires
about pound and one, half of rags to made
one pound Of papor, th6re arc consumed. 81