The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-20
The Democracy Vindicntcd-DecIsIOn of
the Supreme Court.

The Democracy Vindicntcd-DeCIsion Of
the supreme Court.
From the WOrld
The Democratic party has reason to congratu-
late itself on the recent judgment OF the SUI
preme Court, declaring the military tribunals,
which dominated over the public liberties
during the war, unconstitutional. This decision
is both a triumphant yindIcation of the Demo-
cratic party and happy augury for the future.
The Supreme Court is the Thermopylg of the
present contest-the pass is narrow, the de-
tenders are few but their advantages of position
are such that they can arrest and turn back the
advancing hosts. 1hcir decision on q matter
which was the main topic of controversy
between the Democratic party and its oppo-
nents during the war; is the final Judgment of
the law, as 1t will be the verdict of history that
the Obloquy heaped upon Democrats Tor their
opposition TO the!arbitrary eXeruons of authO-
rity, was uDdeserved.
When the war broke out, when the reverbera-
tUns Ot Sumter startled all our cities, passed up
all the winding streams that iced our rivers, and
were Te-echoed from all our hills, the vigorous
alacrity with which Democratic citizens of the
military age rallied to the flag and hurried to
the scene OF war, was not outdOne by any por-
tOn OF our eountrymen. Nor dId their military
zeal ever slaCkcu. The numerous Irish regi-
menis we sent from this city, every man in
them Democrat, and led by such Democrats
as CorCOran, are specimen which renders the
Democratic war ardor conspicuous, and which
is only more noticeable from the fact that, eX-
cept in the IRISH regiments, Democrats were
intermngled in the same military organizations
with Republicans. The formidable veteran
hosts which the Fenans are able to muster,
attest the spirit and courage with which Demo
Gratis periled their lives IN the war. Nor was
II mere numbers that they contributed. Every
General who acquired great distinction by his
military talents was Democrat. without the
AID of their abilities the war could not have
succeeded. Mcclellan, who organized our
armies, Meade, his disciple, who turned the tide
at Gettysburg Grant, Shermap, are samples of
these Democratic commanders, and the zeal with
which their tame was cherished by the Demo
cratic party sho VS. how heavily its sympathies
were given TO the cause.
But when, at the tinkling of a little bell"
citizens were snapped up by provost marsnals
all over the country, flung into forts and mill
tary prisons, and either denied trial, or tried
by military commissions 'OrganiZed to con-
yict" when the REGULAR tribunals were over.
borne and sllenced the press gagged, free
speech suppressed, and every community filled
with spies whose malicious, lying reports there
was Afforded no opportunity to confront or
contradict, the Democratic party sanctioned no
such Pretended war measures" On the con-
trary, il opposed them with all ITS VIgOr. 1t
would be ridiculous for anybody TO say, that
those high'handed violations of the COnstitu-
tion shortened the war by a single day. No.
body can point TO a single instance in which
they accomplished any good. But the Odium
which the Democratic party incurred by its
opposition 70 them is hey Ond description. But
now, when the din and uproar IS hushed, and
the civil courts are restored 10 their functions,
the highest tribunal in the land pronounce5 q
solemn, authoritative judgment that the Demo-
cratic party was right, and that the arbitrary
proceedings against which it protested were as
iaWless as they were hgh-handed. Its noble
sacrifices Of ease and reputation will hereafter
shine as one of the brightest chapters in the
history OF cons tItutiOnnl government War is
always period of peril to civil liberty, and If
none were ready 10 face danger in its defense
when it was most in jeopardy, il would perish
from the earth 1T is chiefly due to the Demo.
crane party that it has been rescued in this
country.
| The TACT that the Supreme Court has escaped
7 the servilc contamination OF the times, and pro-
4 nOunceS an independent opinion which vindl.
| Gates party 80 traduced and maigned as the
Democracy, is full OF announcement. Ii a ma
lority OF the Court dare stand up for the COnsti-
| tuition, on this question, there is solid ground
for trusting us stead:ast fidelity on all others.
Ii Congress assumes that the Constitutional
amendment is carried by the ratification of
merely the represented States, ,,apd proceeds to
legislate on that hypoIhesls, the Supreme
Court will SET aside all such laws. If Congress
undertakes to degrade States into Territories,
its measures will be stranded on the same bar
rier If Congress undertakes TO resist the iudg-
ments OF the Supreme Court, the Commander
in-Chiei of the army will have some duties to
perform in such a conjuncture-