The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-02-12

| against encroacEmcnts by the State, against
instruction in the State, against invasions
from abroad, and in controversies which may
arise between me and the citizens Of another
Statc-all of which it is the duty of Congress
to defend or secure.
Suppose Congress, under political excite
ment, pass law encroaching upon my rights
of life, or liberty, or person, or property,
which belong to the State to defend, and that
case arises in the Supreme Court to deter
mine whether the State government or the
Federal government has usurped power over
/ the question, shall the Supreme Court hold
an even balance between the States, on the
one hand, and Congr ess on the other? Or
shall that court hold its balance with one side
already loaded down by a law Of Congress IN
favor of its usurpations?
Upon this very question Of its usurpations
shall Congress prevent even handed justice.
by placing manacle upon one of her hands
| Justice, hitherto represented as majes-
tic woman, with eyes bandaged, holding a
pair Of even balances, must hereafter be rep
resented with false balances in her hand,
with one eye uncovered, no longer looking
streigAt forward in search Of truth, but as
kant and obsequious, seeking apologies for
the usurpation of central power.
| In our system two forces are ever strug-
Cling with each other-one tending towards
Capitalization, the other towards the States
Each operating without the other would de-
stroy the system. AS in the solar system,
there the centripetal force, left to itself alone,
would draw all the planets to the sun, and
thus destroy that system The centrifugal
force, left to itself alone, would drive the
planets into Infinite space, and thus destroy
that system ALSO But the continued opera
ton OF both forces, the one balancing the
other, retains all in their proper orbits
How long could that system last if the
centripetal force should be doubled The
other force remaining the same could no Ion
ger balance it all would go to the centre
If the centrifugal force were doubled, it could
no longer be counterbalanced by the other,
and the planets would leave their orbits and
wander through space.
So if the Supreme Court, which holds the
balance between these political forces in cur
system, is to be SO chained and manacled
that unless six lights of the judges shall de-
eide against it, the decision shall always favor
Capitalization, how long will it require te
concentrate all the powers Of government at
Washington, and to practically destroy the
States as part of our system?
And, on the other hand, if it required
six-eights Of the judges to declare the valid
ty of any law of Congress, would not this
government be in danger of losing its jus
authority?
There is another measure proposed in the
House. 1t may pass that body. It has beer
reported by majority of the judiciary com
mittee.
It is proposed by law to compel the Su
preme Court to dismiss the appeal of Nc
Ardle, and to make allsimilar appeals to thu
Supreme Court impossible l can hardly
believe such law can pass the Senate. l
is open confession that radical reconstruction
is unconstitutional, and that they dare no
come to decision in the Supreme Court.
Pass that BILL in addition to the rest, ant
the last vestige Of civil law, or civil jurisdic
ton, is swept away, from the Potomac to tn,
Rio Grande.
From where stood this morning, upor
the steps of the capitol, with the flag of thu
Union over me, [ can look across a river, and
look upon land Of absolute despotism.
visit Mount Vernon, and sit down by thu
tomb Of Washington, I sit under the shadow
Of military dictatorship, more unlimited thar
can be found in any civilized country upor
the globe Constitutional liberty is already
bound, scourged, and crowned with thorns
here-here, in her own sacred temple.
Shall the General of the Army, urged or
by the radical chief priests, cruelty her or
this sacred Capitol Hill ? in her own homel
under her own banner amid the SCOTS anl
jeers of all the despots of the world
Let the people answer.
Respectfully, yours,
J. r. DOOLITTLE.