The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-09-10

COiloiiOu W tho OViE1itu1iOh'
Tho success of the Democratic
party, II it succeed, will also, by
restoring the independence of tho
judiciary, put an end to other abus-
es with which we have recently be-
como too familiar, namely: the trial
of private citizens, in timo of peace,
by military commissions, and the
invasion Of private rights by COM
mittces of Congress.
On the other hand, tonservative
Republicans, who are dissatisfied
with the wild work Of thcir party
for tho last two years and would
gladly restrain thems-but who fear
TO give success to the Democracy in
the pending election lest they, should
rush into ruinous cxcesses on the
other hand; entertain groundlcss
apprchcnsions. Tho Republican
Senate will hold them IN check IL
they attempt evil, while IT restrains
them from the correction OF many
existing abuses.
So far, then, as Legislation is con
cerned, the Democracy, if success
ful, can do neither good nor evil
without the concur. nco of the Sem
ate, Which involves, Of course, the
concurrence OF the party which il
represents. 1t will bo, therefore
quite safe TO tIust the Democratic
party with tho limited power which
success at the coming election will
give them. And If within the com
ing two years tho Republicans are
taught wisdom by adversely, and il
tho Democracy, IN their turn show
II purpose to abuse power, tho same
conservative force which now gives
them victory will then insure their
dofcut.
The real question, then, for our
consideration, the decision of which
ought to control our action as rea-
soning men, is this: Do we approve
tho political action of tho Rclubli-
can Congress, siEcc it has had full
control OF tho Government If We
do, we ought to 10 assure them ly
our approving votes, assume UhC
responsibility Of their acts, and
cheer them, and spscd them onward
with ron ovatcd powers. But ifw'
deem thoir policy questionable, anr
their headlong pursuit of it DANCE
rous, we ought to bid them pause
and take to ourselves Time for OBJ
servation and reflection and, is-
stead Of full and absolute, leave
thcm with limited and divided pow,
crs take from them tho powor tC
do mischief, in the meantime, leav-
ing them what cannot be taken from
them-tho power TO prevent IT, i
attempted by the adverse party
But it is asked: lfX0u car trus
tho Republican Senate 10 prcvon
Democratic mischief why not trus
them with the whole powor. thai
the Government may be harmonI
ous2 THIS object Is almost plausl'
bic, but not profound. Tho concen'
tration Of all powor, in one man, o
u body Of men, makes q dcspotism
1t is that under which the nqtioT
has suffer for tho past two years
and while their is danger in trust
ing party with tho continued pos
session of power which they hav'
abused, you may safely rely ol
them to check their opponents, i
they attempt TO commit like cx
cess on the o her side. They WI
retain the absolute veto power o We
legislation, and their is no dan &c
of their permitting too much chang
in the laws which they thomoclve
enacted. SO far wo may rely o
them safely. They may prevcr
wise and salutary legislation, tenC
ing to relieve the country from som
of the evils which they have brougI
upon 1t. This we can not avoiC
but we can take FROM thom the leg
islative power which they hay
abused. If, then, on examination
we find little to approve and niue
TO condemn in the action OF the tW
houses of Congress tor the pact tW
years, during which time thOy hay
held control of tho government,
will be safe and wise TO suspeI
their power and arrest for the me-
, two years their onward, and, as
! think, downward progress.
0 If wo look to tho action Of Col
gress for the pas: two years We ca
not fail to perceive a striking chang
in the code ofpolitical morality b
. which they are governed, and thI
, - -. -. Iona und ,,,ooy