The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-01-16
TIE RILE OF RADICALISM


{" the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity," were among the purposes for
which it was established. In accordance
with these purposes, its trainers imposed
restraints upon, and defined the powers of,
the government, and when either tran
scends its constitutional limits, or usurps
powers not granted, the objects for which
the government was established are frus-
trated.
A just and equal system of taxation; a
judicious fostering of the interests of Ia
Dor a rigid economy in public expendi-
lures, and commerce unfettered by pro-
hibitory tariffs, are among the chief ele-
ments that contribute to the general wei
fare.
The general welfare is the aggregate
happiness and prosperity of citizens.
Whenever, by any means, these are di-
minished, the purposes designated fail OF
their intent As the general welfare may
be promoted or retarded, and liberty pre-
served or destroyed by legislative enact
ment, it is to that department, more than
to any other, that we must look for the
promotion of national prosperity and hap
piuess, and the conservation of liberty.
The overstepping of those guards and
guarantees which the constitution has fix
ed as the limit to the exercise of power, is
destructive of the objects for which the
government was created. There can be
be no sense of security when unwarranted
powers are assumed, and there can be no
permanent national prosperity SO long as
this sense is prevalent.
In the legislation of congress within the
last few years We have striking proof of
the truth of this proposition. Its wanton
disregard of the fundamental law of the
land has caused widespread distrust and
fear, retarded the restoration of the union,
and induced general prostratlon of business
interests throughout the country. Its un-
just and unequal system of taxation bears
heavily upon labor which should be eighty
burdened." Its Legislation in the inter
ests of capital and wealth has crippled the
great sources of revenue, because a species
of property, which only capital can con-
troll is exempt from taxation. It's high
prohibitory tariffs have driven commerce
from the seas. It's profigacy has SO de-
preciated our bonds that they command
no more in the markets of the world than
do those of unenlightened Turkey.
'To secure the blessings of liberty to
US and our posterity," can loftier, grand
err object be conceived of the provirce of
government than to secure the inestima-
bic blessings of liberty to the present and
future generation? The trainers and
founders of the union not only desired
liberty for themselves, but also for their
guards of liberty is tie right of the people
to make and amend their constitutions of
government, to change their organic laws
in legitimate manner. Lsurpatton,"
said WASHINGTON, in his farewell ad-
dress, " rs the customary ueapon by ,chich
free governments are destroyed" The
enemies of liberty proceed gradually, and
always under some specious pretext of
promoting the public welfare. The re-
publican party leaders have sought to de-
stroy the reverence of the people for the
constitution and then its entire overthrow
would have been speedily completed
their legislation has perverted the object of
the government from the means of securing
the blessings of liberty, to depriving the
citizen of all liberty. Ten states of the
union are governed by the sword. The
will of a brigadier or major-gcneral is their
supreme law. The constitution is as much
a nullity in tn ose ten states as in Europe.
The district commander possesses consular
powers, and may at pleasure suspend the
writ of ho6eos corpus, deny the right of
trial by jury, muzzle the press, and prohib-
it the freedom of speech. These are a
part of the rights and blessings of liberty,
yet congress denies them. These are
privileges which freemen should never
surrender but at the point of the bayonet.
They are granted by the constitution to
the citizen and cannot be taken away
without its wanton violation. 1t is the
determination of radical politicians, in the
event that they have the power to accom-
plish it, to consolidate the states and pow
ers of state governments. State lines are
to be annihilated and the whole system of
government is designed to be changed.
There is no doubtthat the despotism estab-
lished in the south is designed to famil-
iarize the people with that form of gov.