The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-03-06

baleful inpostures and the extravaganza
and ilIusory chimeras of q throng Of as
piring demagogues, that triumphed
through so much gore and so much an
guish.
The object of this bill is to provide g
means Of permanently defylng public
opinion. If, by the very men who talk
of impeaching the President, it was
conceived possible that he would abuse
power, not one Of them would expect to
keep his head on his shoulders after
such measure had been expanded to
its full stretch by a usurping President,
except on condition of supporting his
crimes.
The bill declares every individual in
the South, loyal Or disloyal, black or
white, IN q state Of outldrry. This
ought to astonish the world. But it is
fact, that by the terms of this bill no
civil right whatever shall survive in the
territory comprehended in these late
States, to be made military districts
Considered as a punishment for political
or for any other crime, it is utterly with
out example. Stripping the matter Of
mere conventional distinctions, how
does this differ from slavery? The early
colonists Of New England reduced the
captive Indians to slavery. The attempt
failed, not only through any defect Of
title in the master, but through the use
lessness OF refractory and revengeiul
chattel more troublesome than service
able. Is there any other security
against the reduction to involuntary
servitude of white men, or eren negroes
by military commander who may
choose to do so? This remark Illus
frat nc hyy4 hn nxyfv va Ky
of the rights which even the consti-
tutional prohibition Of slavery-the
boast of the age; is powerless to strength
en-. "No rights that the master is bound
to respect is accepted as the most fla
grant of all definitions of slavery. The
EXTREMIST hardship OF the enslaved
negro was supposed to be strongest
shown by this phrase; yet here it is
applied to all the people of ten States.
The military commander is to protect
all persons in their rights and property,
and for this purpose he is to be alb
solutely free to do as he may please.
This is definition of sheer despotism.
1t is the formula of Dionysius of SYRIA
cuse, of Henry the Eighth, of Nicholas
of Russia. 1t is an express negation of
all rights. But it is said, bad as this
may be, it is operative only in the
South. Were that the worst, Heaven
must froWn on any man who would
witness such oppression. The only Sc
eurity of liberty in any society is the
sovereignty of the people, and the only
security for that sovereignty is the
so,actity Of the principle. To strip the
sovereign power from our neighbors is
to strip the sovereign principle from
ourselves, unconsciously, at first, it may
hD hui IN A hot
people stand, bereft of majesty, sbiver-
ing before the cleaning sword and ar
rogant frown OF their own dcmagOgues.
Let it once become familiar to the
public mind that popular sovereignty is
to be enjoyed or denied according to
circumstances, and, the principle thus
dead, there is no moral foundation of
liberty, and no restraint upon dema-
gOguery. At such a time, a military
chief, having a soldiery in charge IA
mlllar with oppression, and careless OF
the principle once so dear to us all,
would have but to persuade himself
that he could better the condition of the
country, and that his force was the
stronger, to enter at once, without
scruple and necessarily without failure,
uponsa subversion of any existing adj
mlnistratiOn or government, relying,
not without Well-founded confidence, on
the applause of many and the acquiesc-
ence OF more, hopeless of better, and
glad of repose.
A country that will aequiesce, in a
time of universal peace, in measure
deliberately abrogating the Constitution
and laws in toto over half the nation,
yet affecting to keep them in force in
the other half, is a country ignorant O;
its own constitution, and, therefore, in
capable OF L saving faith in it. Such a
people are ripe for reimbursement, and
in imminent peril of their freedom.--
National Iafe}iige2cer.
4 Denver alderman was injured by
the accidental discharge OF his duties.
a village in New York has petitioned
to have its name changed TO "Black
Crook"
Mr.. Memo, of ST. Louis, has just mar
rjed his seventh wife. He is certainly II
Non0maniae.
,he mud in the streets Of Louisville.
according to a paper Of that city, is not
quite four feet deep
The Radical party are as fond OF stan
der and f;llsehood as the GODS We're of
nectar aH,l amhrosia.
Boy said a iacetious farmer 10 his