The Van Buren press., 1867-08-02
rEANKLIH COUNTY.

with bright anticipatons to glorious future,
and cxulted in the thought, that American
Independence had inaugurated the era of pro-
gressiye freedom, and had laid the Ak at the
root Of despotism and oppression! But like
many bright visions. that have tor awhile
thrilled the heart with hope, and suddenly
vanished leaving darkness, gloom and de-
spair. fear the patriots hope, and the en-
thusast's dream of American freedom, are
doomed to disappointment. We look back.
with pride to the rapid development of Ma
tional greatness for upwards Of ninety years,
but cannot conceal the fact, that seeds oftatal
decay have been sown and are now bringing
their fruits, and that Rcpublicanism i likely
to soon give way 10 an unrestrained deSpotism.
Whether these elements of decay are the in
herent properties of republicanism and such
governments, always must be, or they always
have been, ephemeral in their existence, Twill
not pretend to discuss at present. But the
fact cannot be concealed. that our once free
and happy government is fast parting with
every attribute of freedom and fastening on
itself the weight of an oppressive despotism
1t would be useless to enquire whether the
North or the South. is to blame for this; prob
ably both; yet the fact is patent to all. and it
behoovcs every patriot, without regard to his
former political opinions. to do all in his pow
cr to avert impending destruction. Perhaps
it is not yet too late. if every man will do his
duty but delay must be fatal. Let us for the
81, lav aciI ba ,ortiz mt tbn
patriot-disregard the charge of" Gisloyalty"
and not be frightened by the cry Of treason
that is yelled by senseless demagogues, and
base renegades. against ever man that has the
manliness to review the past, or speculate as
to the future. Let us see whether our silence
and supneness would best compart with the
character of an enlightened patriot, or blind
bigot Let us see whether treason and disloy-
ality. are better applied to those who warn
people of danger and political destruction, or
those who blndly follow mad partizans. venal
politicians, and strive to stifle an enquiry into
the tendency of political acts. Let us 90 back
few years, and we behold free people, with
few burdens to oppress them. But the eyes
of the political Argus was then opened to the
palpable evidences of early decay, brought
about by fast growing and blind fanaticism,
although not yet attended by any startling
act of dangerously revolutionary character.
The impending conflict between liberty and
despotism. between constitutional freedom
and fanatical usurpations, was hurried OIL,
though not engendered by the late revolution.
The elements of destruction already existed,
but were only manifest at an earlier day. by
reason of the war. 1t may be answered that
, the present deplorable evidences of early ma
, tional dissolution, are but the legitimate re-
! suits of rebellion. or revolution. | answer
that unsuccessful rebellion, can never be
legtimately chargeable with the destruction
ofthe fundamental principles of free govern
ment. If the rebellion was inaugurated to
overthrow, not support, free government, its
= suppression should be regarded as a proper
ama beess ta sonshi
e to be overthrown, and not as plausible pre-
text to abolish freedom and base despotsm
: on the ruins of republicanism. Is the free
dom of the people likely to be secured bv dis
: francilsing the most intelligent portion of
. the people, and cnfranchsing the most igno-
: rant? Is 1t to be secured by suspending the
5 writ OF hd6eds corpus, trammcing the freedom
, OF the press, suppressing freedom of speech
suSpending the functions of civil officers
7 elected by the people. and appointing Others
, by military rule! Is it to be attained by
making the civil power, in time of peace, sub.
ordinate to the military? Is it secured by
enormous taxation without representation d
curtailment of personal and political freedom
and general or special plan of confscation
Is it secured by making the constitutional
rights OF people dependent upon the imbe.
cility or caprices of partizan demagogues
lis true, and should be spoken to the praise
of Gen. Ord, that as Military commander
he has been. just wise and prudent, and ha.
been actuated by n patriotic desire to secure
the interests of the people and preserve har
mony and good order in the country, and has
done much to restore confidence and security
and ifan Military commanders were like him
| no evil would be likely to result during thu
{ time we are under military rule awaiting tn,
hoped for reconstruction. But what assur-
2 or that he may not be ordered to abolish al
civil tribunals and substitute Military com.
manders? Let us hope for the best.
These questions are asked in no partizar
, spirit, but with view to cause the people tt
reflect and If possible, avert greater Natona
g calamities. Neither is it written in any spirit
; Of unkindnoSs to Military commanders who
only obey their orders. Much less is it writ
ten to create bitter feelings or pat obstacles in
q the way VI an early Reconstruction or the
States under the Military bill. Whatever our
5 opinion may be AS to its Observation-Disclosures
, justice its policy-or the reason that prompted
its adoption, it is the duty of every good citi-
e zen to conform to its provisions, in good faith
, and try to restore. order and security. The
" irrepresible conflict" has begun in earnest
The paramount question is white or black
supremacy. The war of races is inaugurated
and although it has not yet reached the point
OF bloody warfare, yet the respective races
under the teaching of miserable vagabonds
q are fast being array ed against the white man
Deluded by false notions of social cqrallty
mental capacity and the false assurance OF
{ Government aid in securing a portion of the
property now owned by white men. In
weighed into those dens of treason, anarchy
devastation and ruin. commonly called col
orcd Loyal Leagues there having his not
acute. but infamabie passions aroused by base
and depraved white men, he is fast being hur.
Q ricd into eXcesses of violence. that must
eventually result in the most dreful conse.
' qucnces to both, or the the total extinction OF
, the negro. The negro is to be pited. more
than blamed; he is taught to hate his best
friends and pursue the course that must lead
to his destruction. But we can neither SYM