The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-04-06
The work orTilne.

Ho Oimc Will cOtues hycds sure ab ueaLn
and judgment, when those who are now
destroying the grand old Constitution of
the United States will mourn in bitter
sorrow that violating hands were ever
lifted against it. Time in its rcmorseless
march crushes the hopes, blasts the for
tunes aud penetrates the power of gov
ernments and individuals. No party
which has yet arisen in this or any other
country has proven victor over time
Decay is stamped as plainly upon politi-
cal structures as upon physical, and
this decay will be more rapid Just in
proportion TO tho violence. OF tho convul-
1ons which gave BIRTH to the political
phenomena. Recognizing this great Law
Of politics an we'll as the natural universe, J,
the wise founders Of republican institu-
tons in America, paudeFed to mans in
nate love Of change, by making rotation
in cJice prominent feature in the new
born government. Here was distinct
recognition Of tho fact, that change Of
men was harmless-nay necessary to the
healthful operation Of our political system.
But no such change Of the organic lar
was contemplated as necessary, aud it was
made difficult, by requiring the concur
renee Of three-fourths Of tho States.-
Like the sun, the source Of heat and light,
aud the centre of the solar system, our
fathers designed the Constitution to be
the great fixed fact in our history aud no
lcss important in our destiny.
Here is the 1liad of all our woes, the
source Of all our sorrows-ths Jrecepts Of
our ancestors are no longer respected and
offered. Affection has come over Amer
lea through but one door-a violated
Constitution Lot some miscreant cut
dyke in Holland, or levec on the banks
Of the Father Of Waters, and the rushing
foods viii soon spread ruin far and wide
AMID tho abodes Of man. Are those who
cnt the dykes Of American liberty less
guilty than such u wretch, or do they
less merit the execration of mankind be-
cause they are fellow-sufcrers from the
disastrous consequences Of their own acts
Does il redeem tue guilt Of pirate, when
his decks are boarded and be has been
driven below, 10 FIRE his magazine and
hurl himself and his assailants TO instant
perdition
The circling seasons still endure, and
the revolving years in bitter mockery
still brings US tho 22d of February and
the 4th Of July; but the land Of Wash
ington is not free. Lib.rty is insulted BY
Puritans on her natal day, and the bones
of the Father Of his Country are outlawed
from the Union which his sword won and
his virtues cemcnted.
But there is great Law Of compensa-
ton which peryades the social and politi-
cal, as well as tho natural world. Depart
ure8 from political virtue. like breaches Of
the moral code, are followed by penalties
which tread ruinously upon the heels of
the trausgressors. Men cannot with i'm
punity cut loose from all the moorings of
wisdom and virtue. If they undertake
10 steer their ships regardless Of the bea-
cons and landmarks set up by their faith
ers they will fail and perish miserably.-
Nor can Liberty be slain in her own tenn
pie without vengeance on her assassins.
Retribution will come-it will come, as
sure as truth and justice are as eternal as
tho granite hills of New England-of that
New England whose flinty soil seems to
have formed the hearts of her sons
She tcil yet feel the need Of that Consti-
tuition TO protect her, when that race of
political hell-hounds she has borne shall
return to tear tho vitals of their mother
Political sins, like "curses, come home to
roost," and no one ever yet violated the
law without, at some period of life, hav-
ing need of its covering shield.-[ Rich
mond Times.