Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-01-17
Pa, THURSDAY, JAN. II, 1867.

the government. and are sustained by
communities which were among the
first TO testify their devotion to the
Union, and whifh during the struggle
furnished their'4ull quotas of men to
the military service OF the country.
The exe9cise of the elective fran
chise is tYhe hi2hest attribute of an
American citizcu, and when guided
by virtue, intelligence, patriotism and
a proper appreciation Of our institu-
tions constitutc} the true basis of a
democratic forn Of government, in
which tho soveicign power is lodged
in the body Of the people. Its lnfu-
ence for good necessarily depends up
on the elevated aharacter and patriot
ism Of the eleot Cor il exercised by
persons who 20 Not Justly estimate is
value and who are Indifferent as to
its results, it will only serve as a
means Of placing power in the hands
of the unprincipled and ambitious, and
must eventuate in the complete de-
struction Of that liberty OF which it
should be the most powerful conser-
vator. Great danger is therefore to
be apprehended from an untimely ex-
tension of the elective franchise to any
new class in our country, especially
when the large majority Of that class,
in welding the power thus placed in
their hands, cannot be expected cor
rcctly to comprehend the duties and
responsibilities which pertain to suf-
frage. Yesterday, as it were, four
millions Of persons were held in a CON
dition Of slavery that had existed for
generations to-day they are freemen
and are assumed by law to be citizens.
1t cannot be presumed, from their pre-
vious condition of servitudc, that, as a
class, they are as well informed as TO
the.nature of our government as the
intelligent foreigner who makes our
land the home of bis choice. In the
case OF the latter, neither a residence
OF five years, and the knowledge of
our institutions which it gives, nor
attachment to the principles of the
constitution, are the only conditions
upon which he can be admitted to cit
izenship. He must prove, in addition,
good moral character, and thus give
reasonable ground for the belief that
he will be faithful TO the obligations
which he assumes as citizen of the
republic. Where pcoplc--thc source
Of all political power-speak, by their
suiiragcs, through tho instrumentality
of the ballot-box, it must be carefully
guarded against the control of those
who are corrupt in principle and enc
mics of free institutions, for it can
only become to our political and social
system safe conductor Of healthy
popular sontimont WHOM hcpt FREQ
from dcmoralizing influences. Con
trolled through fraud and usurpation,
by the designing anarchy and despot-
ism must inevitably follow. In the
hands of the patriotic and worthy,
our government will be preserved up
on the principles Of the constitution
inherited from our fathers. 1t follows,
therefore, that in admitting to the
ballot-box a new class OF voters not
qualified for the exercise Of the elect
i've franchise, we weaken our system
Of government, instead OF adding to
its strength and durability.
In returning this bin to the Senate,
! deeply regret that there should be
any conflict Of opinion between the
legislative and executive departments
of the government in regard to meas
ures that vitality affect the prosperity
and peace Of the country, Sincerely
desiring to reconcile the States with
one another, and the whole people to
the government Of the United States,
il has been my earnest wish TO Co
operate with Congress in all measures
having for their object a proper and
complete adjustment of the questions
resulting from our late civil war Har-
mony between the coordinate branch
es of the government. always neeessa-
ry for the public welfare, was never
more demanded than at the present
time, and it will therefore be my con
slant aim to promote, as far as possi-
BILE, concert of action between them.
The differences of opinion that have
already occurred have rendered me
only the more cautious, lest the Exec
utive should cncroach upon any ofthe
prerogatiycs of Congress, or, by ex.
ceeding, in any manner, the Consti:u-
tional limit of his duties, destroy the
equilibrium which should exist be-
tween the several Co ordinate depart
ments, and which is so essential TO the
harmonious working of the govern
ment Iknow it has boen urged that
the Executive Department is more
likely TO enlarge the sphere Of its ac-
ton than either of the other two
branches Of the government, and es-
pecially in the exercise of the veto
power conferred upon il by the Con
stitution. 1t should be remembered,
however, that this power is wholly
negative and conservative in its char
acter, and was intended TO operate as
a check upon unconstitutional, hasty,
and improvident legislation, and as
means of protection against invasions
of the just powers of the Executive
and Judicial Departments. 1t is re-
marked by Chancellor Kent that "to
enact laws is a transcendent power
and, if the body that possesses it be a
full and equal representation of the
people, there is danger of its pressing
with destructive weight upon all the
other parts of the machinery of gov
ernment. 1t has, therefore, been
thought necessary, by the most skill
fnl and most experienced artists in the
science Of civil polity, that strong