Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-01-29
FoaNnv.s r5ERRAF.

Constitution and Uuion EesS bed, but todel-
uge the country with blood, in the hope that
the end thereof may possibly find them still
on Top. Indeed, as we have said b0Sre, WEI
do not believe that there will be any perma-I
nent peace until there has been another fight;
aud not then unless the .Destructiyes are'
whipped into submission to the constitution.
We are also sure that if the real Unionists of
the North are. guided by the same patriotism
that impelled them to go to war viva the South
six years ago, and are filed with the same sots
of pluck they then evinced ,au impeachmeA of
the President upon any such fimsy and ri.
diculCus fallacies as are nOwS FoP8 war is in
evitable. In other words, the Ssstructives
may be willing to risk a war to destroy the
Union, and the Conservative are bound, If
not by patriotism, certainly ~ precedent, toi
fight for it and its grand old eOPstFAn D.,
THE PROGRESS OF THE Ravo4.Ur1oN.
The progress of the reyoldaon in Wss!p
ington, says the Richmoqd Enquirer, cannot
but be regarded with dee anxiety. Nothing
is more trite than that the mutual independ-
encc of the several departments of govern
ment is essential to liberty Z hey cannot
otherwise be checks on each other; and un-
checked power, under whatever name, is des-
potisu- dreadful in proportion to the number
that WELD it. \ free people are always most
jealous OF their executives, but in most dan.
ger from their Legislature. Sucl, il emphat-
ically the experience of this country. The
influence Of the President and of the Supreme
Court has, from the beginning been conserva-
tive. 1t is Congress that has ever made in
roads upon the Constitution. It is Congress
that has most chafcd under organic res;ric-
tons. and most aspircd to cxalt its own dis
cretion into the measure of its powers.
And Congress at this moment, is deliher-
atcly and dctCrminodly usurping an absolute
supremacy over the other departments, en-
pioying ministerial powers to compass organ
ic changes, and cxalting itself into an abso-
lutte dcspot;sm more terrible than the Lcr-
mean Hydra. It is Of comparatively small
moment that the first aim of this tyranny is
against the South Its fetters will bind the
whole country; and it coutcmplatcs as spe-
caI objects ofits fury, portion the North
'crn people 50 numerous. that small perccnt-
age of change would reverse the supremacy.
and turn-thc prosecuted into the prosecutors.
But late, the Supreme Court was to be cm-
pIoycd as an executive political agency by
Congress for exercising its unchastened will.
The recent decisions having, however, reveal.
ed THAI its subserviency could not 6e relied
on, 1t Is not only renowned a servant, but
is hunted as enemy. \ majority of the
members composing it are Of the party that
rules in Congress; but it is discovered that
they have conscicpcca, while assassins are
what is wanted
In this war upon the Supreme Court. as in
the war upon the Executive the forms Of the
Constitution are lie ambush and shelter from
which revolution makes its attack The let
ter is to be employed to kill the spirit The
duty Of facilitating the functions of the court
IS to be used as the opportunity for striking
1t down. 1t is useless to tell how wicked
this is,-uscIcss to say that It is usurpation.-
that it is moral perjury,-that it is infJclity
to the most sacred Of trusts tits what Cons
gress is doing and is resolved to do
a striking scene in the drama was enacted
on Tuesday in Washington. Mr.. Boutwell,
whose revolutionary outGiyings on the stump
had indicated him fit leader fer the pre-
sent design, introduced a bill for the decra>
ton of the Supreme Court, and demanded
its immediate passage. The friends of the
existing government asked for time for CON
sidcration and debate. He allowed them ten
minutes-Ho more! He affirmed that there
were five judges in the highest judicial tri
bunal Of the land who had not sufficient self
respect to enact rules and enforce regulations
that would protect themselves from the foul
contamination Of c2nspirators and traitors
against hczGovernmcnt of the country. and
that Congress must take them in hand
\ gain he declared
say here, on my responsibility, with ref
crcncc to the recent decision Of the Supreme
Court. that it is an offence 10 the dignity aud
responsibility Of the nation that the Supreme
Court Of the nation, by the general authority
vested in it under the Constitution and laws
does not protect itself from the contamination
OF rebels and traitors until the rebellion itself
shall be suppressed, and until those men shall
hc restored to their rights as citizens OF the
country. Eut. the Supreme Court failing in
me performance OF that high duty. the time
has arrived when the Congress OF the United
States, by 'rhoSc J"caA oIone the .Sup,rme
Co"rt c-ists. Mr.. Boutwell, pronounced those
words with strong emphasis, ] should assume
an exact and specific authority. and should
declare by solemn law that men. who have
been guilty OF murder, ortreason, or bribery
or who have raised their arms to strike down
the Government of tho country. should not
participate in the administration of the laws
OF the land until they are absoIved from their