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


ness of the Jews when they asked from
Jehovah government of kings in
place Of that divine prl Sthood whicf
had brought them tof Egypt and
il ade them prosperous amid val
sof Canaan; and lilxel hem we hav
D en- delivered up to our follies and
'nfatuation.
This discomfort finally took form
and action in secession and coercion.
These were but tae manifestations 0
an u .erlying spirit. On the one side
and the other it was ass ted that the
struggle was for teri total Limits only.
Neither was --tiscly csAmct, iorhO
were ,ctu ed by the revolution
spirit, and the firing Of the first gun
on Fort Sumter as the voice Of
a Seer, declaring thai II revolution had
been accomplished.
The old political system passed
away in Is and another was adopt
ed Its little finger is heavier than
the whole body of that which it super
ded. No longer do We ask have
we government. It's Argus eyes
seek everyw IRE the accumulations OF
Dor and capital, anG its Briarean
ms are ever grasping all those eyes
can sec. Its vast military and naval
establishments have risen with por-
tentious mein, and oyershadow the
civil administration in nearly one half
the country. Beneath the blows Of
their iron sway popular government,
res ing on the consent of the people,
has there completely fallen. Its vital
energy is apparent wherever we see
strife and contention, and violent pas
sions and antagonism of race and
sectio and States. Its genius and
humanity are conspicuous wherev-
er healing wounds are made to cape
a,resh, aud TO receive a new infusion
of gall aud bitterness. There is no
doubt that we have a government
rong one. rong in the number Of
zen whom it can conscript--strong
n the treasure il can raise by taxg
tion-strong in its power to invade
tae rights of the States and the libcr-
ties OF the citizens-strong in its ca
pacity to override the Constitution
strong as Rome was strong, both east
md west, under the Emperors-strong
as France was strong under the Reign
of Terrorand the Guillotine but wea
as they were weak when the Goths
and Vanda!s avenged on the seven
hilled city the wrongs Of Germans, or
when the blood of the murdered Dan
ton choked the dcspairing Robespierre
No government can be really stron Z
which does not appeal 60 tho interest
and affections of the people; which
does not attach by the benefcence of
its acts as well as by its dependence
on their will.
The equality of the States was the
basis Of the Farmer Republic. Is it
maint' ned Z
The answer comes to us from Il
Reconstruction Bill, which puts ter
States uader martial law, and subjects
them to the will Of a military officer.
The strict confinement of the Fed
eral Government 10 international and
interstate affairs was an element of
the Farmer Republic. Is it enforced z
The answer comes to US from the
Civil Rights Bill, which intrudes Fed
eral authority upon the States, and
utterly overrides most sacred con
stitutioual guarantees.
The maintenance of the coordinate
branches of the government, the dis
tribution of power, the separation Of
constituencies from which it flows,
were indispensable features of the
Farmer Republic.
Their doom was written in the
Tenure of Oiiicc Bill, which deprivos
the President of the power of remov.
ing even members of his Cabinet, and
thus subjects the Executive to the
control Of the Legislature. Their
doom was written in ihe attack on the
Supreme Court, because of it's decision
in relation to military commissions,
All power now centres in II single
hand, and is conferred by a consoli'
dated majority
Reverence for the Constitution
marked the era of the Farmer Repub
/ lie, and warmed the hearts of all It's
children.
Now, who so poor as to entertain
this sentiment twas rolled up and
packed away by Mr. Lincoln; an
kept thus dishonored, ii has fallen into
contempt, and to urge its authority
serves only to provoke a sneer, or tC
call out a joke. 1t forms no barrier
TO the projects of party rage or party
desle. Its provisions are entirely
disregarded, or Immediately altered
to Justify the enactment proposed, OF
to command the attainment of the
cad. The highest respect shown tC
its remains is to amend them. Th,
strife of parties, which was once under
the Constitution, is now over anC
above il.
Powers granted TO the Federal IoV
ernmcntl Is it not true that ever,
power which is desired to be exer
cised is found TO be granted, and tina
more would be found if necessary
Once we believed in Fundamental
law, guiding legislation and contain
ing the imminent of personal liberty
so sacred that under no circumstance
could it be infringed, or even amend
ed, except in the method prescribed
so essential TO free government Nov
we have willingly dispensed with it
and committed unlimited power to
temporary majority, and this we cal
fippantly the viii Of the Nation.
Tell me, does one single feature G
a.