Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-03-14

share of consideration and favor But why
multiply proofs that political power will
always seek its own ends, and gite such
direction 10 Government a. shail be, or be
thought 10 be, favorable to its own interesss
Look over the whole field OF Govsrpment
policy, ~he,her political, sectionsl, or
economical, andA you will discover the
marks OF eastern power in every paft.
And by its alliance with, or rather master.
ship Of, great political parry of ,hs North,
ii is at this moment almost ol.nipotent ia
the Government. M
Sir, the East controlled the Senafe dufinf
The war, as she controls il now, and BIZ
virtue of that control she has dominated the
House OF Representatives and Influenced
powerfully and constantly the Executive
department. Her power here has been, ia
fact, power over the whole Governtnent,
and when considered in its totally has
been enormous and irresislibIe. Necsssa.
rily, the scliop OF the House of Represen-
iaivea has had reference 10 The action of
10 Senate whenever the concurrence of
The latter in any measure WAS necessarily.
Besides, the House is freqnently filed with
new men, while the Senate, on account OF
The long duration OF senatorial terms, and
OF frequent recollection OF its members, is
less subject 10 change. For this reason,
and because Of its participation with the
President in the distribution of Offices and
in :he formation of treaties, The Senate
rust possess a larger measure OF influence
than the House, and mast extend more OF
influence 10 that body than il teceives from
it. For the same reasons. and for others
equally obvious, the influence of the Sea-
ale over The executive branch of the Gov.
eminent Especially when the President 10
united by party bonds with Senate ma
iority) must be very considerable. Ia the
case OF Mr.. Lincoln this in1oeucs was "a
important force in giving diredlion 10 exec
u;ve policy aud conduct. He complained
sometimes of the "pFessase" btought 10
bear rpon him, bot sooner or later be
always submitted TO it, and performed its
behesls. And uuqnesiionaoly the eams
eastern power hopes ultimately to obtain
from The present President an equal degree
OF acquiesceuce in lis present and futute
demands. Ii is enihroLei here; il grasps
firmly the scepter. OF authority, and has co
intention TO abdica'e its functions or surrsu.
der any PORTION o. its power. In:renched.
as it believes, firmly and Iorsver within the
Constitution as 10 It's senatorial representa-
lion, it is unwilling to we AIKEN that repre>
sentative power by the admission of mem.
bers from the South. II fesisis the admis.
sion of members even from Colorado and
Tennessee, and bases its opposition 10 in.
creased representation upon grounds which
must long continue 10 exist And If repres
sentaiion must hereafter Be conceded 10
southern States and 10 new States, she de.
sires the concession TO be made upon con-
dillon of negro suffrage. The proteces of
her policy, the objects OF her long continu.
sd agitation of,he country, however unfit
or unworthy Of The elective franchise, are
10 be endowed with i, as her politics, allies
for The fu,ufe.
Sir. Pfesidenib It ID Ia human nature thai
power once held or welded should be sur
rendered unwillingly. The individual Who
has held high Office very commonly retisss
from il with reluctance and under the pres.
sure OF some constitutional or popular
power which he cannot resist. And thus,
also, great sectional or social interests yield
power unwilingly, aud when compelled 10
DO so bitterly regret the sacrifice. Il re-.
CURED the stroke of war to loosen The grasp
OF the STAKEHOLDER upon his alave be s1f-
renders his power only when compelled by
overwhelming force.
a manufacturing or agricultural popuIa.
tion, protected By The most extravagant Of
tariffs or BY the most oppressive OF corn
laws, will never willingly yield their power
over markets and consumers. Political in
terssts stronger thar they must wresl from
them The advantages which they possess IL
they are ever 10 be deprived Of their ca.
ioymens.
No one, therefore, need be surprised a.
the reluctance manifested by the East 10
surrender any portion OF the power which
she has held during the war ,and now holds,
in the Government. la this particular shs
but exhibits another illustration of that
Characteristic OF human nature which
have mentioned, and which, outside the
breasts of saints and heroes is universal.
twenty-five Senator'S from the southern
States and two from Colorado-being dcu.
hle The number OF those from tie East
would reduce The importance OF the latter
in the Senate and remiiher back TO the
condition in which she stood in her relations
TO The Union before the war. True, she would
even then possess mneh more than her pro.
portion Of weigh: in the Senate, regard be.
ing mad 10 her population, bui she would
no longer dominate or control The Govern
ment of the United States. balance OF
power in the Union. utterly broken by se-
csesion and war woud be restored and