The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-01-31
THE@PRUsPEGT..
at once.

THE PROSPECT.
There are quite a number of serious
questions which present themselves to
the thinking mind at his epoch in the
history of the United States. Some of
them are undergoing the process of so
luton now and the indications are that,
moderation, common sense and reason
will prevail. There are others, howev
er, which we fear, will have to be set
tied by the bayonet, but whether
they are settled by an appeal to reason
or to arms, we haze great hopes that
liberty and repuBlicanism according to
the Constitution Of the United States
will emerge pure and unadul terated.
That the above conclusion is correct
there are some reasons OF q potent char
aeter, and OF inestimable Importance
During the four years OF war, the courts
were silent, and many OF the Ii ghts Of
American citizenship were thought to
have been destroyed or forfeited. The
late decisions Of the Supreme Court,
however, establishes once for all that
those rights are a component part Of
citizenship, and that they eanno be for
feited except for crime. Such being the
ease, however much the statute books
Of the Stateand nation may be dis. graceed
by discriminating class legislati on, the
evil can only be temporary, and he time
must soon approach when just5 ce will
prevail. For the people of the United
States are comparatively speaking, in
teligent and law abiding, and are dis
posed to sustain the Courts in the just
and legal discharge Of their onerous du-
ties, however much they may trench
upon preconceived opinions, passions
and prejudices.
Besides, the decisions referred to
harmonic SO eXquisitely with the long
established construction of the constitu-
ton that it cannot be long until they
receive the appreciation of all honest
men Of every political phaze. Another
fact of great political importance, either
as an indication Of weakness or naodera:
ton on the part of the dominant party,
is the final abandonment of the territor-
alizing scheme, which Mr.. Stephens,
the great leader of Radjcalism, was
forced to give up, because it aroused a
spirit ofresistance to his dictation which
would have resulted in thorough dis
iptegration of his party. But the ques-
ton Of greatest significance and upon
which the destiny of the country hinges
is that of impeachment. On this ques-
ton there has been a great deal of COM
ment and conjecture, but of the real in
tentions of the Radical party we know
positively nothing. If it is simply held
over the Presidents head for the pur-
pose of intimidation, there will be nc
disturbance of the public tranquility; il
on the contrary, the Radicals, in order
to carry out their nefarious plans to alb
sorb all the powers of the government,
shall attempt to impeach and remove
the President from his Office, then the
President will resist, and not only re-
sist, but retain his Office for his constitu-
tional term, just assurely as that to NOR
rows sun will rise.
And in {. contest with law, order and
constitutional government on one side,
and Radicalism, outrage and misrule
on the other, it requires no prophet to
tell how the matter must inevitably
eventuate, especially when there is an
honest determined and enthusiast .pur-
pose on the part Of the great mass of
the pnople 10 sustain tho President to