The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-12-10

the Constitution, I'VE will not be expected to car
much for mere pecsaaiary obligations. The sioatio
i Of such pledge we made the 22d day of Jul,
1861, viii assuredly diminish the market value {
| our other prceaises- Besides, we now acknowledg
that the natioaal debt was created, not to hold til
States in the Union, the taxpayers were led {
suppose, but to expe1 them from il and hand ther
| over to be governed by negroes, the moral duty {
pay it may seem much less clear. say it may see,
SO; for do not admit that this any other argu
ment in favor of reputation can be entertained a
sound but its influence classes of mind
may well be apprehended. The financial honor of
great commercial nation, largely indebted, and wit
| q republican, form of government administered b,
agents Of the popular choice is thing of such deli
cate texture and the destruction of would be fol
lowed by such unspeakabe calamity, that every tru
patriot must desire to avoid whatever might expos
it to the slightest danger. ~ @zs
The great interests of the country require imme
date relief from these enacments. Business in tn,
South is paralyzed by sense of general insecurity
by the terror of conseaon, and the dread of negro
supremacy. The Southern trade, from which thu
North would have derived great profit under
government OF law, still anguishes, and never
be revived aatil it ceases to be fettered by the
bitrary power which makes all its operations unsafe
That rich countrywide richest in natural resources
the world ever saws worse than lost if it be not
soon placed under the protection of free Constitu
ton. Instead Of being, it ought to be- q source
Of wealth and power, it will become intolerable
burden upon the rest of the nation.
Another reason for retracing our steps will doubt
less be seen by Congress in the late manifestations OF
public opinion upon this subject We live i'm country
where the popular will always enforces obedience
ITSELF or later 1t is vain think opposing it
with anything short of legal authority backed by
wheming force 1t cannot have escaped your attention
that from the day which Congress fairly aud formally
presented the proposition govern the Southern States
by military force with view to the ultimate establish
OF negro supremacy every expression of the gem
era sentiment as been less adverse to it, The
affections of this eaeEtSon BE- detached from
the institutions of their Their determination
TO preserve the inheritance of free government in their
own hands, and transmit undivided and unimpaired
to their own poserty is too strong to be successfully
opposed Every weaker passion will disappear before
that love OF liberty and law for which the American
People are distinguished above all others in the world
How far the duty of the President "to preserve pro-
tect and defend the Constitution requires him go in
opposing an unconstitutional act of Congress is very
serious and important question, which / have de-
liberated much and felt extremely anxious to reach
proper conclusion. Where act has been passed ac-
cordng to the forms of the Constitution by the supreme
legislative authority and is regularly enrolled among
the pubic statutes of the country Executive resistance
10 H. especially in times of high party excitement would
be likely to produce violent collision between the
'pectve adherents of the branches of the Govern
nent. This would be simply civil war; and civil
war must be rsorted to only the last remedy for the
worst OF evils. Whatever might tend to provoke it
should be most carefully avoided. faithful and con-
'clenous Magistrate will concede very much honest
rror and something even to perverse malice, before
ne Will endanger the public peace; and he will not
adopt fercble such as might lead to force
IS long as those which peaceabe remain open to
him or to his constituents. 1t is that cases may
occur in which the Executive would be compelled to
stand on its rights, and maintain them, regardless of all
consequences 1t Congress should pass act which
not only in palpable conflict with the Constitution
'ut viii certainly, carried out, produce immediate and
rreafabie INJURY to the organic structure of the Gov
rnm'nt. and if there be neither judicial remedy for the
wrongs it inticts. power in the people to protect
themselves without the official aid of their elected de-
ender; if, tor instance. the Legislative Department
,oat..V IIfbx
bolsh coordinate department of the Government
such case the President must take the high respon-
i6les OF his office. and the life of the nation at
III hazards The sO-caled reconstruction acts though
plainly unconstitutional as an that can be imagined
we're not believed to be within the class last mentioned
lie people were not wholly dsarmed of the power of
elt.deence In all the Northern States they still held
their hands the sacred right of the ballot and was
ate to believe that in due time they would come to the
escqe OF their own institutions. 1t gives pleasure
add that the appeal to common constituents
ot taken in vain, and that my confidence in their wis
ON and virtue seems not to have been misplaced.
1t is well and publicly known that enormous !
rauds have been perpetrated ON the Treasury, and
nat colossal fortunes have been made at the public
Expense. This species of corruption has increased |
nd increasing, and if not diminished will soon bring
s into total ruin and disgrace. The public credi-
'rs and the taxpayers alike interested in an |
onest administration of the finances, and neither
Ass Will long endure the large-handed robberies of
he recent past. For this discreditably state of
llngs there are several causes. Some of the taxes
re SO laid as to present irresistible temptation
evade payment. The great sums which officers
ay WIN ny connlvahce at fraud create pressure
hich Is more than the virtue of many can with
and and there can be no doubt that the omen dis
gard OF constitutional obligations avowed by some
the highest and most Influential men in the coun-
y has greatly weakened the moral sense of those
no serve IN subordinate places. The expenses of
e e 'nted states, including interest the public
'ot, are more than six times much as they were
ven years ago. To collect and disburse this vast
mount requires careful supervision as well as sys-
matic Vigilance The system, never perfected, was
ucn dlsorganized by the ''Tenure of Office Bill,'
h1ch has almost DESTROYED official accountability |
ne President may be thoroughly convinced that an
ncer Is incapable, dishonest, or unfaithful to the
institution, but, under the law which have named
utmost he cansdo is to complain the Senate and
the privilege Of supplying his place with a bet
man. Ii the Senate be regarded as personally .
politically hostile to the President, it is natural,
not altogether unreasonable, for the officer to ex-
Ct tnat IL VIII take his part far possible res
re him to his place, and give him triumph over !
Executive superior The officer has other chances
IMMUNITY arising from accidental defects of evil
nee the mode of investigating it, and the secrecy
the nearing. 1t is not wonderful that official NAL
.sance should become bold in proportion as the
linquents learn to think themselves safe am .
Grely persuaded that under such a rule the Presi
Mt cannot perform the great duty assigned to him .
seeing the laws faithfully executed, and that it .
abies him most especially from enforcing that 7
10 accountability which is necessary to the due exc
ion of the revenue laws ..
The Constitution invests the President with antbor
10 dec'de whether removal should be made in n
given case: the act of Congress declares in sub-
nee, that ne shall only such as he supposes
be unworthy of their trust. The Constitution
kes MIN sole IN the premises but the statute o.
es away his jurisdiction transfers it to the Senate s.
leaves him nothing but the odious and sometimes "
duty of becoming prosecutor The G.
secuuon Is to be conducted before tribunal On