American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-09-04

war and boldly proclaim that call til ese
grave pending questions" must be de,
cid ed, Just in fact, as they ,eould hare
been decided had they arisen eight years
ago, or had no ioar taken place" (Thl-
adetphia Age, July Sth.) They not on
ly deny the constitutional power of Com
gress to impose terms upon the rebel
States or people, but deny that Congress
itsel is lawful body, because the reb-
Ell States are unrepresented. Hence,
the recent application to the Supreme
Court of the United States for injunc-
tions, to nuillify the Reconstruction laws
of Congress in Mississippi, Georgia,
aud other rebel States. In the same in-
terest, and of the same character, is the
nomination of George Sharswood, q well
known and life long State rights man, for
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. lie
judicially denies the power of Congress to
issue paper money, or to give it value by
making i a legal tender. Borie us. Troll
Legal Inteliigencer, Of .Harch Is. 1864, page
92.l Judges Thompson and Woodward, of
the same court, not only announce those
same doctrines in the case of Merrine Us.
Sailor et al. Legal Iatelligencer efJune l6
and 30, 1865, pages 1873 add 205,) but in
the cases of Kneciier et al. u.s. Lrne ct al.
Is Wrighfs Reports. page 1881, denied the
power OF Congress- in time of war to draft
men into the military service. The prin>
cipies declared in these decisions were as
hostile to the national existence and per-
petuity as any assault ever made by
| General Lee and his armed legions at Get
ysburg or elsewhere. 1t requires no ars
gument to demonstrate that if these decis-
| ions on currency and the draft had pre-,
vailed, and beceme the establish law of
the land, success in the war would have
been more impossible than if the rebel ar
my at Richmond had been rel nforcad with
half million of men. Is it safe, therefore
to place another man, entertaining these
opinions, on the Supreme Bench of the
State?
Forewarned should be forearmei. These
Superior Courts are now the " last ditch
of the rebellion land the country calls upon
the Boys in Blue" and every loyal voter
to rally once more to the rescue
Complete your county and township or
ganizations without delay. With this thor
oughly done, victory assure, without itthereis
danger. Renew at once everywhere the
Loyal Leagues and associations, which
proved of such vast service during the war.
Let every patriotic man feel that he has
something to do in the good work, and pros
ceed forthwith to do it with all his might
Exclude all side issues local uuarrels, and
personal aspirations, and labor only for the
public good. Be not deceived by the stale
clamor sabout negro equality and negro
suffrage. These worn out hobbies were
supposed to have been ridden to death at our
last annual elections, when, as now they were
declared by our enemies to be the great is,
sues of the contest. They are now raised
up and brought upon thatrack again. mount.
ed by the same riders, and destined to the same
ignOble end. BE not discouraged by the
vain boasting of our adVesaries They have
been ingloriously defeated in every con
test for years and patriotic people Of the
State have heretofore nobIy sustained us,
ana the cause of the country, under the
heavy pressure and discouragement of drafts
taxation, bereavement and carnage; and
when nothing but an abiding faith in an
overruling Providence, and in the Justice of
our cause, enableius to see the end. Surely
there can be no falteriug now when the goal
is almost reached and wien one more uni>
ted rally for our principles and our flag will
enable us to secure the ripe fruits ofthe late
dreadful civil war, and to garner them safe .
ly for ourselves and our children.
We stand over the ruins of gigantic re.
bellion, the most formidable enemy ever en-
countered tby republican Institutions
We stand close by the graves Of three huns
dred thousand of our noblest men, who c0un.
ted their lives well spent when offered freely
for Liberty and-Union. In the presence of
their speechless but eloquent dust; in the
presence of the doubling and sneering enc
mics Of free Government, at home and abroad
in full view of the oppressed millions, who
from benelth crushing despotisms watched
our flag with tears, and hopes, and prayers,
throughout the four long years of bloody
conflict, before God of justice, and in the
name of all that makes faithfuness tn Him,
and honor among men. we stand pledged to
secure and maintain forever the principles
for which our brothers died.
BY order of the committee;
F, JORDAN, Chairman;
GEo. w HAMERsLY,
j. RoBLEY DUNGLIsoN, oecre'erleS;