Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-09-05

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This is Republic where the will of the
people is the law of the land beg that their
voice may be heard"-GEN GRANT.
ssThis is, indeed, Republic. based howey-
er, upon written Constitution. That Const-
tuition is the combined and expressed will of
Inc people, and their voice is law when refec
tea In the manner which that instrument pre-
scrloes. "-PREsIDENT JOHNSON.
The above sentences are quoted from
the recent correspondence between Gen.
Grant and President johnson relative to
the removal of Gen. Sheridan from the
command of the Fifth Military District.
Here we have. in epitome, the funda-
mental principles advocated, 1st, by the
leaders OF the radical party, and Cd, by
the conservative party of both sections.
and which will be passed upon by the peo-
pie at the approaching elections.
The position of the radical party, repu-
dating, as it does, the sacred obligations
imposed by the Constitution and laws, is
the Legitimate result of the war-of the
lawless spirit engendered by the war, and
is, IN fact, continuance of the war after
the war had ceased.
If it be true, as the commander of the
armies of the country AYERS, that ''This is
Republic where the will of the people is
the law of the land" whether ssrefected
IN the manner which that instrument pre-
scrlbes" or not, what is to prevent that
evil, under the guidance of blind and
INSCRIPTIONS fanaticism, from making
Gen. Grant, Satrap Sheridan, or some
other ''conquering hero" Dictator? The
Constitution is no barrier against such a
'rddicot change in our government, if the
"'wilP' of the people shall decree it.
1t is upon this monstrous assumption
that the President is to be impeached and
deposed: that the 'aciN Of the people" has
.decreed 1t He has not violated the or
ganlc law or any statute enacted under it.
but has refused to substitute the will" of
sthe radical masses, expressed under great
excitement engendered by brutal passion
and diabolical influence.
If this madness is to continue-if the
Constitution is no longer to be considered
"the combined and expressed will of the
.people"-if our popular elections are only
to give expression to the dogmas of par
ty, not in the manner and for the purposes
prescribed by the Constitution, bat as a
great mob-theu, indeed, has the time
arrived for all the good men of the coun-
try to come to the rescue of our institu-
tons from overthrow.
A Republican Government, such as the
trainers of that under which we have at
tanned SO respectable position among the
nations Of the earth, can only erist usdcy
written Constitmion-a Constitution re-
spected and obeyed by the people.
The bollot-box is the medium through
which the "will Of the people" is expressed;
and that will is legttimately expressed on
ly SO far as it conforms to the letter and
spirit of the Constitution but when it
conflicts with these, it is no more than the
will Of the mob, in violation of law, and is
to be looked upon as dangerous to our free
institutions, and must result in their ul-
innate overthrow.
1t is true, it may be NECESSARY to over
throw the Government and disregard the
Constitution in order to secure the success
of the radical party at the next presiden-
tial and congressional elections; but how
is the evil resulting to the country to be
remedied F? The answer is-By the res
toration of the authority of the Constitu-
ton, and obedience to the laws enacted
pursuant to its provisions.
President johnson seeks to preserve the
Constitution from infraction-he is sworn
to do that-whatever mandate to the con-
trary may issue from stuffed, violated
and illegal ballot, in the hands of the tools
of unscrupulous demagogues ana unprin-
-cipled partizans, who value place and pow
.er more than they do the perpetuity of our
free institutions and the prosperity of the
country. We say, then. it is the duty of
every patriot, North and South. to uphold
the hands Of the President in this struggle
to preserve the Government and the Con-
stitution from destruction.
In the "official proceedings Of the re-
publican mass convention" held in Rich
mond on the LIST and I'd of last month, oc
: ours this announcement:
.The Chaplain being absent by vote of
the Convention. Rev Mr.. Mitchell. of the
loyal nj. e. Church of Richmond. was
appointed Chaplain pro tenn. who invoked
the divine blessing
What are we to understand by szoyol
M. E. Church, 1t means RADICAL we