The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-03-14


consider the policy or impolicy Of AMI.
canising the Southern parr Of our ter
ritcsy, | would simply ask the attention
Of Congress tothatnaaniiest, well -kpowu,
aud universally acknowledged rale Of
constitutional law which declares that
the Federal Government has no juris-
diction, authority, or power to regulate
such subjects for any State. To force
the right Of suffrage out Of the hands
Of the white people and into the hands
of the negroes is an arbitrary violation
Of this principle.
This bill imposes martial law at once,
and its operations will begin SO soon as
the General aud his troops can be put
ia place. Tho dread alternative be-
twecn its harsh rule and eomplianse
with the terms Of this measure IS not
suspended, nor arc the people afforded
auy time for free delibention. The
bill says to them, take martial Law FIRST,
then deliberate, Aud when they have
done all that this measure requires them
to do, other conditions aud eontingea-
cies, over which they have no control,
yet remain TO be fulfilled before they
can be relieved from martial law, An
other Congress must first approve the
constitutions made in conformity with
the will Of this Congress, and must do.
cls.e these States entitled 10 ropresen-
tation IN both Houses. The whole
question thus remains open aud unset
tied, aud must again occupy the alton
ton of Congress, and in the meantime
the agitation which now prevails will
continue to disturb all portions OF the
people. s,al s
The bill also denies the legality Of
the governments Of ton Of the States
which participated in the ratification oil
the amendment to til; Federal Consti-
tuition sbolishing slavery forever within
the Jurisdiction Of the United States,
and practically excludes them from the
Union. If this assumption Of the bill
be correct, their concurrence caunot be
considered as having been legally given,
and the important fact Is aade 10 appear
that the consent Of thrac.iourths OF the
States--the requisite uumber-.has not
been constitutionally obtliued to the
ratification of that amendment, thus
leaving the question of slavery where it
stood before the amendment WAS official
ly declared to have become part Of the
Constitution.
That the measure proposed by this
bill does Violate the Constitution in the
particulars mentioned, and in many 9TH.
or ways which iorbcar to cnumeratc,
is too clear TO admit OF the least doubt
1t only remains to consider whether the
injune,ioEs OF that instrument ought to
pc obeyed or not. | think they ought
to be obeyed, for reasons which | will
proceed to give as briefly us possible
In the FIRST place, it is the only sys-
tenn of free government which VIC can
hope to have as nation. When il
ceases to be the rule of our conduct, VIC
may perhaps take our choice between
complete anarchy, consolidated des-
potism, and total dissolution Of the
Union; but national liberty, regulated
by law. will have passed beyond our
reach.
1t is the best frame of government
the world ever saw No other is or can
be SO well adapted to the genius, habits,
or wants of the American people. Com.
bining the strength Of a great empire
with unspcakablc blessings of local self.
govcrnmcnt-havug central power to
defend the general interests. and recog-
niEing the authority of the States US the
guardians Of industrial rights. IL is 1.-The
sheet-anchor of our safety abroad aud
our peace at home" 1t was ordained
ito form q more perfect union, establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility,
promote tue general welfare, provide
for the common defence, aud secure the
blessings Of liberty to ourselves aud our
posterity." These great ends have boen
attained heretofore, and will b. again,
by faithful obedience to it, but they arc
certain TO be lost If we treat with disre.
gard It's sacred obligations.
IL was TO punish the gross crime Of
defying the Constitution, aud to viudi-
cato its supreme authority, that We ear
ricd on bloody war OF four years du.
ration. Shall We now acknowledge that
VIC sacrificed million of lives aud ex-
peuded billions of treasure to enforce a
Constitution which is not worthy Of
respect and preservation
Those who advocated the right of
secession alleged iu their own jusiifca.
ton that We had no regard for law, and
that their rights of property, life, aud
liberty would not be safe under the
Constitution as adninistered by rs. If
we now verify their assertion, We prove
that they wsrein truth and in fact light
ing for their .ibcrty, aud instead Of
branding then leaders with the dishon.
oring name Of trsis.rs against right
eous aud legal GoyernSent, We elevate
tbcm in history to the rams Oh -slf.sac-
rifciBg patriots, coBsecrate tkela 20 the
admiration Of the world, aud place tnIM
by the side Of Washington, lIampdca,
aud sydney. Nc, let US leave them 10
the iufamy they deserve, punish them
as they should be punished, according
to Law, and take upon ourselves no share
Of the odiun which they should bear
alone,
his part Of our public history which
can ncvar he f,nrt.nlfen that both Ho,,ans