Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-09-20
Stevens and SchOck Correspondence.
COLUMBIA, Pa, Aug. "a, 1867.

Hon. IH0ddeus Terens. Lancaster, Pa:
DEAR SIR: Several Of your intelligent
constituents in this region, no doubt from
want Of proper information, are complaining
of mistakes made by Congress in not passing
laws at the last session restraining the remov-
al Of certain officers engaged in reconstruc-
ton. I contended that you had passed an
act at the very close providing for that very
contingency, but which is not executed. -
Will you be so good as to inform me how far
our representative is responsible for this omis-
sion, if omission it be? You know we are
in the habit of dealing familiarity with the
member from the Ninth.
A brief answer will much oblige your
friend, SAMUEL SCHOCK.
LANCASTER, Pa, Aug. 26.
Col Samuel SchocA, Columbia, Pa:
DEAR SIR:-You are right in supposing
that Congress made mistakes, as is the iney-
table lot of man, but you mistake in suppos-
ing that there is any law to prohibit the re-
moval of the District Commanders, without
the consent of the Senate.
Soon after the commencement of the last
session of Congress reported bill from the
committee of the House of Representatives
which contained provision prohibiting the
removal without the consent Of the Senate
It passed the House and was sent to the Sen
ate; the Senate struck it out and returned it
to the House, who refused to concur in the
amendment The result was a committee of
conference, where an animated contest ensu-
ed. ~
There were several other questions in con-
troversy between the houses, which the House
offered to yield if this could be granted. The
Senate perseveringly refused, declaring that
they would sooner lose the bill AS that
would Illustrate all our legislation, it could
not be allowed. The House yielded, with a
warning Of the evils it would infict upon the
country. Some of the members Of the Senate
seemed to doubt their poacer u,sder the Coasti
tuition aohich they had just repudiated, and
achoNy outside Of Which all agreed that ace
acre acting; else our avhole arork Of recon-
struction a0as us,orpatiom, or perhaps they
had desire to be thought to be gravely con-
sentative and magnanimous. These ideas
seemed to control the action Of some half a
dozen Senators who preferred trusting the
President My dear Colonel, few Senators
of great ability, undoubted patriotism, and
purity have become 50 saturated with what
they are pleased to call Conservatism (whose
meaning, [ confess, I am unable to under
stand), that fear they will forget the mon
ster that was slain in 1776 and again in 1861,
and will thus do great damage to the creation
Of government now 50 capable Of being con-
verted into political paradise. This is liza.
bic to happen, not 50 much by direct and
palpable attack upon its framework as by
gradually forgetting the vital principles Of the
Declaration Of Independence. Strike out one
of the living sparks which give life to our
Goddess of Liberty, and the mysterious and
intense heat, whose Welding fires near a cen
fury ago, and at present, are fusing the prin-
ciples of freedom and reducing despotism to
cinder, will gradually cool, until the most
conservative despot could thrust his sword in
to it without affecting its temper.
[ have said above that did not know the
meaning Of Conservatism. | have since seen
the report of speech, said to have been made
by an Ohio Senator, at Canton, Ohio, which,
if it be truly reported. and is to be considered
as a definition Of that doctrine, then it, to me,
/ is very >alarnnng1 Eworse$tha Copperhead-
ism. It is Legislation without authority and
reconstruction by usurpation.
| am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
THADDEUS STEVENS.