Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-14
occasions whenParties Must Bender Break

Occasions arise in politics when great par
ties must either bend or break under the
weight and pressure of some mighty and pre-
eminent question. This has frequently been
the case in England. The last memorable in
stance oft was when the question of the re-
peal of the corn laws agitated that country.
The public mind, under the guidance Of men
of intellect, fixed purpose and indomitable en-
ergy and resolution, concentrated itself on this
object, and determined that party names, paT-
Y organizations, party principles, should all
give place to the great popular demand Tor the
abolition of the tax on bEead. When, in lS4l,
Mr.. Golden was returned to Parliament for
Stockport, the members of the Ant-Coru Law
League authorized him TO declare, as We are
told he did in his maiden speech, &" that they
would give all the political support they
"cOuld command TO whichever party in the
State should first concede the great principle
cat stake" For five years the struggle went
on, until at length the object was triumphantly
attained, having shattered parties like so much
glass, and converted from foes into friends
such men as Sir ROBERT PEEL, Lord ABER-
DEEM, Sir JAMES GRAHAM and Mr.. GLADSTONE.
There is a question now uppermoSt in Amer
lean politics that menaces party organizations
in the same manner. 1t Is altogether different
in character from that to which we have allu-
ded in English politics. 1t is, too, more vital
and momentouS. 1t is a radical, institutional
question. Ii is one that involves the tUnda-
mental law as we'll as the happiness Of many
ui,lions of people. Indeed, it involves SO many
1estious, and so many subjects, that it is diff
cult to define it in a Seute"-e. We are accuS-
T., med to speak gift os the reconstruction or
restoration policy-meaning thereby the read
mission of the Southern States into the Union,
the return of the Southern representatives &c.
the two houses Of Congress the accession OF
the South to all its equal and correlatiye rights
and privileges, under the Constitution, with
those of the other States. To deny these rights,
the South being loyal, is to deny the COnstitu-
ton and 10 deny that, aud to make that de-
NAL the animating principle OF legislation, is
revolution. 1t is a radical change in the nature
of the Government, wrought by other than ap-
pVultQ anu lCElllluAlS AANeAAA's 49, I
five may be allowed to simplify it, Is shall
dominant party in Congress be permitted TO
work this unauthorized revolution in the char
acter OF the Government 1t is not sufficient
for y Il party to attempt to give the semblance
OF authority to its action by acknowledgements
ures looking to regular change of the ConStl-
tuition, and keeping the South ont of the pale
of the Union until those measures can be eff
feetuated. They may take years. 1t matters
not, as to the principle, how much or how lit
tie time it may require TO consummate
them; every hour Of that time is an hour
of wrong and injustice, the South being
Wiling, las she certainly is) To render obedi-
erceto the Government. War suspended the
Constitution as to the South. We can under
stand t.ar p'OpO itiOn-but when war ceased
and duty nd obedience and loyalty returned.
the SuSpeus 'rn ceased. The war theory gave
place to the peace theory, and the Constitution
hrcaine once more active and operative in re-
rs.1 o. the South. It is said there is differ
sr,s retween the views Of THADDEUS STEVEN
AL hose Of most Of his party. He holds tina
The Southern States are conquered pro
So ces," and have no rights. His party hold
tlas they are not conquered provinces, but We
denies them rights. Practically, there is n
Inference, whatever seeming difference Their,
may be in the theory. The institutional ques
t;on involved in all this is, shall a party, 70
mere party purposes, be allowed to effect
rsvolution in the Government, to set aside tn,
organic law, and to deny the rights of clever
states with their millions of inhabitants I
4bis can be done by party to-day, in refer
oncs 10 the States and people Of the South, i
may be done tomorrow, in reference to o,hs
&C., and people. 1t is therefore a questiO'
% -;rbt and liberty in which every State AM
e :, American citizen is interested
The President sees this subject in all 1t