Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-06-06

arbitrary arrests Jusuneu-
We had n government whose exac-
tions of money or duty were so light
nat we scarcely felt its existence. We
ave n government whose strength
glitters in the light Of the FURNISHED
bayonet, and is reflected in the resplen-
dent lustre Of the sword
We had harmo y and fratcrnal con-
cord, and due respect for States and
people, and opinions and habits. We
have n bitter sectional strife, subjuga-
ted peop c, overthrown States, and
an animosity Of party warfare never
lelorc known.
We had freedom Of thought. We
have an intolerance which strikes down
independence Of opinion, and pro
scribes political differences as crime,
and establishes a searching scrutiny
into the hearts and conciences of the
community.
We heard in our bitterest struggles
the voice of Reason; now that voice is
drowned in the G. ngor of the trul
pet which marsha prejudice and rage
END hate, to intensity the party strife.
We had a peaceful confederation.
Now, Will National unity is inculca-
ted as the highest duty, the perpetua-
tion of geographical divisions and
National hatred is rewarded with the
highest praise.
Congress, which was the theatre Of
intellectual debate, is now the registry
of the decrees Of Il party caucus, and
hesitation to record them is treason to
he reigning power, and involves loss
Of personal prelerment, even Of polit-
cal lie.
We have broken down the barriers
which hemmod in that vast array Of
power closely akin TO mere brute
iorce-w.ici we believe the govern
ment, an( even society, colld not, in
any event, justly exercise, and have
given them as the plaything Of every
/ passion. We had a republic; We have
an empire.
1t is said that learned naturalists
have pushed their researches 50 far
that from the inspection Of single
bone they can determine the species
of the animal, and reproduce his form
even though il be that of the giant
mastodon. No philosopher examin-
ing the United States of 1867 could
possibly reproduce, without the aid Of
/ history, the Farmer Re epublic Of 1860.
The change has been Of the most rad
ical character 1t is the change which
converted the Rome OF Cato into the
Rome of Caesar and no less than that
is it n change wrought by the power
OF the sword.
Nor do ! wonder at IT, In the first
Congress df the war Mr. Lincoln just
fed his suspeng on of the haJe0S cor
pUs, on the ground that he had the
right to iniract one provision of the
Constitution in order that he might
be able to compel others TO obey the
residue. He ridiculed his constitu-
tional power to issue his proclamation
of emancipation, yet in a weeks time
he issued il. He asserted, in his let
ter to Mr.. Greeley, that he had done
and would continue TO do so much, and
no more than he deemed necessary
to preserve the Union. This was the
true revolutionary spirit. 1t took
possession of the party in control of
the government. They became rev -
Iutionists. They wrought these chan
es | have described They are work
ing out still greater changes. They
seized with avidity the sword. The
cessation of war will not give them
rest. They will 90 on from one point
to another-from the reconstruction
o. 1865, which net the approval OF
Congress and the President, TO the
constitutional amendment-irom the
constitutional amendment to the re.
construction of 1867 from that 10
the confiscation of Thadcusd Stevens
rom that to whatever worse the iten
~ Of the times may prompt, till the
reaction shall come; and the people
sated with empirment, wcaried with
uncertainty, shall drive them from
power, oven though it be through
blood. No success will satisfy then
no attainment will give them re
pose. The measures struggled for to-
, day as all they desire, attained to
morrow, are instantly forgotten il
some new demand. Neither Nationa
unity, nor the suppression Of the re
bellion, nor the maintenance of The
, Union, nor the abolition of slavery
nor equality Of political and social
, rights, nor the exclusion of white
r men from the ballot, nor coniiscation
nor corruption of blood, will for on,
, instant. exhaust their restless activity
"For it is a law which knows no ex
r ception, that the leaders of revolution
, are constantly advancing before tn,
, fires which they themselves have light
, ed. The moment they pause, they
r are envcloped in the flames"
And this same orator told us tina
in addition to the loss of the Farme
b Republic, we would incur debt whicl
= would add two hours each day to th,
{. labor Of every working man in tn,
{ country; and that the gain would b
considered ample compensation TO
this toll What was the gainy Tn,
abo of negro slavery at th,
- South. For this consummation thel
5 were to perform and suffer all things
/ for this the Constitution was to be sui
- vertcd, the Bible was to be rewritten
v a new God was to be enthroncd
Slavery has perishcd; all histor.
a tells us that it cannot be re-establish
Il ed in these ages in this country.
is our bounden duty to recognize thi
If great social change; TO ameliorat