The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-05-24
SPEECH OF HON. GEO. III PENDLETON.

Urbana, Ohio, and commend them tC
the attention of the public:
The old political system passed away
in 1861, and another was adopted. 1t:
little finger is heavier than the whole
body of that which it superseded. Nc
longer do we ask have we a govern
ment. Its Argus eyes seek everywhere
the accumulations of labor and capital
and it's Briarean arms are ever grasp
ing all those eyes can see. Its vast
military and naval establishments have
risen with portentous mien and over
shadow the civil administrations in
nearly one-half the country. Beneath
the blows of their iron sway, popular
government, resting on the consent OF
the people, has there completely fallen.
Its vital energy is apparent wherever
we see strife and contention, and vio-
lent passions and antogonisms of race,
and section, and States. Its genius and
humanity are conspicuous wherever
healing wounds are made to cape a.
fresh, and to receive new infusion OF
gail and bitterness. There is no doubt
that we have governmental strong
One-Strong in the number of men
whom it can conscript- strong i'm the
treasure it can raiseby taxation-strong
in its power to invade the rights of the
States and the liberties of the citizens
strong in its capacity to override the
Constitution-strong as Rome was
strong, both east and west, under the
Emperors-stronga as France was strong
under the Reign of Terror and the
GuillOtine-but weak as they were weak
when the Goths and Vandals avenged
on the seven-hilled city the wrongs of
the Germans, or when the blood of the
murdered Danton choked the despair
ing Robespierre.
No government can be really strong
which does not appeal both to the in
terestand affections ofthe people, which
does not attach by the beneficence of its
acts as well as by its dependence on
their will.
The equality of the States was the bas-
is of the former Republic. Is it main
tanned?
The answer comes to us from the Re-
construction bill, which puts ten States
under martial law, and subjects them
to the will of a military officer.
The strict confinement of the Federal
Government to internationala and inter-
State affairs was an element of the for
mer Republic. Is it enforced?
The answer comes to us from the
Civil Rights bill, which intrudes Fed
eral authority upon the States and ut
terly overrides the most sacred ~-----'
l. 4; 40 aI r,l Mt eanS - VI uIIlauU
branches of the government, the distri-
button of power, the separation of con-
stiluencies from which it flows, were
indispensable features of the former
Republic.
Their doom was written in the Tenure
of Office bill, which deprives the Peesi-
dent of the power of removing even
members of his Cabinet, and thus sub
jects the Executive to the control of the
Legislature. Their doom was written
in the attack on the Supreme Court be-
cause of its decision in relation to mill
tary commissions. All power now CEN
tres in single hand, and is conferred
by consolidated majority.
Reverence for the Constitution mark
ed the era of the former Republic and
warmed the hearts of all its children.
Now who so poor as to entertain this
sentiment? 1t was rolled up and pack
ed away by Mr.. Lincoln and kept thus
dishonOred it has fallen into contempt,
and to urge its authority serves only
to provoke sneer or to call out joke.
1t forms no barrier to the projects OF
party rage or party desire. Its provis-
ions are entirely disregarded or imme-
diately altered to Justify the enactment
proposed, or to command the attain
ment of the end. The highest respect
shown to its remains is the proposition
to amend them The strife of parties
which was once under the Constitution
is now over and above it.
Powers granted to the Federal Gov
ernment! Is it not true that every
power which is desired to be exercised
is found to be granted, and that more
would be found if necessary?
Once we believed a fundamental law
guiding legislation and containing the
| muniments of personal liberty-so sa
cred that under no circumstances coulo
it be infringed, or even amended, ex
cept in the method prescribed-to b.
essential to free government. Now we
have willingly dispensed with it, ant
committed unlimited power to tenn
porary majority, and this we call flip
PANTY, the will Of the nation.
Tell me, does one single feature ofth'
former Republic remain?
We had a plain and simple and econ
omical government. We have mag
nificent, complex, obtrusive, extrava
CANT government. We had an arm,
of 10, 900 men; we have an army of 1OC
600. We had light taxes; we hav
enormous burthens. We had gol an
silver as legal tender; we have deprt
ciated Government paper currency
We had trial by jury and personal lit
erty; we have military commission
I | .,,ndo 1rnlid hu laIu and arbitrary al